Student Stories Archives - Jesuit Community College

Brewing Skills and Confidence: Graduation day for Jesuit Community College's Barista and Café Operations students
- 26 August 2025
“The more I came to class, the more I never wanted it to end.” That’s how Michael, one of Jesuit Community College’s newest graduates, described his experience in the Barista and Café Operations course — a three-month program designed to give young people hands-on skills in hospitality, food safety and café service.
Volunteering at Ignite Café ‘a privilege’ for Chee Ming
- 9 May 2025
Chee Ming was food shopping at Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market when she stumbled on an employment-help stall staffed by Jesuit Social Services. After hearing about her interest in hospitality, Jesuit Social Services connected Chee Ming to Ignite Café, our social enterprise café where people experiencing barriers to employment and training can come to build skills and…
Growing skills and relationships in the garden
- 9 May 2025
“I have grown as a person over the last 15 months, and I know doing this has helped me gain a lot of knowledge, not just about gardening but about myself,” says Jim*. Jesuit Community College, in partnership with the Department of Justice and Community Safety, runs the program to support men who are in…
“It just didn't feel like a regular hospitality business, it was something more special.” A final farewell to our beloved Ignite café
- 9 July 2024
“It just didn't feel like a regular hospitality business, it was something more special.” This was the sentiment echoed by employees and customers alike as we recently farewelled our social enterprise Ignite café program in Camberwell, Victoria. Ignite café supported people facing barriers to work or training to build both skills and meaningful connections, helping…
Mature-aged student Natasha refreshes her numeracy skills in our pre-employment course
- 16 May 2023
“I didn’t think it was for me – I know how to read and write and I’m not shy about job interviews – but it turned out to be a lot more than that. I’m surprised at how much I’m learning,” Natasha says. The course is designed to enhance participants’ professional and personal skills, improve…
Volunteer role helps Max remember his value
- 17 March 2023
How our Ignite Cafe provided a safe and supportive place for Max to build both hospitality skills and a stronger sense of self-worth.
How Jesuit Community College helped Celeste see herself as a "good mother, a good student and a good person"
- 15 March 2023
Jesuit Community College student Celeste* was involved with the justice system and was enrolled in a course as part of her Community Corrections Order. She wrote to College staff to thank them for their support as she built self-esteem and pride through her experience of studying.
Garden Pathway a breath of fresh air for participants
- 11 March 2023
Garden Pathway program trainer, Carol, has observed the impact growing food can have on people. “From the very first day running the Garden Pathway course, I noticed that everyone leaves the garden in a better state than when they arrived. And I’ve even had some participants get emotional on their final day, because they’re going…
Café Operations Course puts on Andrés on an exciting new path
- 11 February 2023
“I’m very interested in customer service. I used to do a role over the phones, but I’ve learned that I much prefer face-to-face interactions,” Andrés says. He’s currently four weeks into the accredited course – which is a mixture of both practical and theory equipping participants with a range of skills as well as certificates…