Collaboration Center Foundation, a Las Vegas resource network, has opened a café aimed at preparing individuals with disabilities for employment. The CollabCafé offers a transitional training program that helps individuals with intellectual, developmental, physical and learning disabilities to develop transferable skills, build workforce confidence and prepare for job opportunities.
The Collaboration Center’s campus in the southwest valley was acquired in 2020, and the organization started renovations on the property. CollabCafé was part of the last phase of the build-out. The purpose of the café is to provide vocational development as part of an inclusive hiring initiative, assisting the underserved disability community, particularly young adults.
“These students graduate high school, may not be college-bound and yet still need and want to develop job skills, which include interviewing, job training and resume development. We really want to serve as that vocational training element through this CollabCafé space,” explained Cindy Goussak, executive director for Collaboration Center.
Training at the CollabCafé is more than prepping and serving coffee. There is also cash management, inventory, set-up and tear-down events, as well as catering beverages and pastries for meetings held throughout the campus.
“We want our inclusive hiring initiative to help individuals with disabilities find their path. As they develop new skill sets, we can assist them with resume development and help them explore other paths within the community. We really are their starting point,” Goussak said. “The program allows our participants to transition to work in the hospitality and event industry, or other industries if that is where their path takes them.”
The starting point was a grant through the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and the rest of the funding was from private grants, donors and several large fundraisers held throughout the year. The next phase of funding will be to develop a complete catering program through CollabCafé to develop business within Southern Nevada and generate revenue.
There is a place to sit and relax, as well as grab-and-go options, including coffee, juices, iced tea, water and iced coffee. The café will focus on healthy treats, including nuts, granola bars, smoothies and bento boxes with hummus and vegetables. The concept of the café will provide respite space, especially when children or family members are receiving treatment. Caretakers, health care professionals and parents can enjoy a cup of coffee or other beverage with Wi-Fi access.
“U.S. Foods has been a wonderful partner for us, and we look forward to doing more business with them,” Goussak said. “They have stepped right in and they’ve really educated us. They have literally walked us through every step of the process, from managing visits from the health department to ensuring we stay up to code. They’ve had entire teams come out here, donating their time to bring us up to speed.”
Collaboration Center was established in 2019 to provide equitable access to essential services and support for everyone, regardless of disability. It manages Nevada’s largest disability resource network. Through its core Pathways Program, Collaboration Center connects individuals and families affected by intellectual, developmental, physical and learning disabilities with the best resources to achieve optimal outcomes. Utilizing a unique concierge case management approach, the Pathways team acts as a centralized, one-stop resource for families, helping them navigate the complex network of disability services, both on and off campus.
The Collaboration Center is at 8390 W. Windmill Lane with the café located within the center. For more information and hours, visit collablv.org.
