STEPS Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program participants and team member sin Cairns have surpassed a remarkable milestone, preparing and delivering 10,064 hot meals for Rosies – Friends on the Street.
Every Friday since October 2023, participants in the STEPS SEE Program in Cairns have spent part of their class time cooking meals for experiencing homelessness and social isolation in the community.
What began as a hands-on learning activity has grown into a powerful act of care and connection, with participants now preparing over 100 meals each week.
STEPS CEO Cassie Stanley said the partnership with Rosies is about much more than cooking.
“Cooking for Rosies gives our STEPS SEE Program participants a unique chance to grow by supporting others,” Cassie said.
“There’s something very special about connecting through the power of food and community. Some of our participants have been on the other side of this partnership and have needed support from Rosies, so this is a way for them to give back while they’re on this journey of upskilling and reaching their goals, achievements that once felt out of reach before they came to STEPS.”
Participants say the Friday cooking sessions are often the highlight of their week, providing space to share stories, exchange recipes and learn about different cultures through their unique cuisines.
STEPS would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed to this impressive milestone, from the volunteers and team members to the participants to the people at Rosies.
“We have a beautiful volunteer, Gloria, who has been with us since the very first STEPS cooking session for Rosies,” Cassie shared.
“From meal #1 to meal #10,064! Her skills and passion have left such a lasting impact on our participants, who take their new cooking knowledge home and use it to support their own families. I love that our STEPS classes have such a ripple effect on our participants and our community.”
Ready to discover your next step?
If you or someone you know could benefit from building literacy, language, numeracy and digital literacy skills in a supportive environment, the STEPS Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program is here to help.
Talk to our friendly team today to learn more about how we can support you or someone you care about on their journey to improve confidence and new opportunities. Call 1300 131 965, email see@stepsgroup.com.au or visit the STEPS SEE webpage for more details.
