Start Café Food and Beverage Service

One of the services provided for developmentally disabled is the START program. “START” stands for “support today achieves results tomorrow.” The Mission of the program is to provide supports and opportunities to individuals with developmental disabilities that will empower them to live life to their fullest potential. One of the supports offered is a community-based day program where program participants go to an employment placement with their staff support. The Oil Sands Discovery Centre has formed a partnership with the START program by providing them with the use of their multi-purpose room to operate a food service business for the summer. The START program staff prepares and sells fresh food and beverages 5 days/week to visitors and clients of the facility. This partnership allows the START program the opportunity to develop business and employment skills such as planning a menu, purchasing supplies, processing sales, dealing with the public, and opening and closing routines. The hospitality service they provide adds to the visitor experience at the Centre. The partnership, now in its 7th year, is a valuable one for the Centre, the START program, and visitors to the Centre.

The START Café is open at the Oil Sands Discovery Centre from July 2 to September 30, Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 am to 3pm. CASH ONLY!

The Salvation Army is the largest non-government provider of social services in Canada. In Fort McMurray, the Salvation Army has been caring for the social, physical, and emotional needs of our citizens for over 30 years. The organization provides services for the developmentally disabled, community and family services, community meals and soup kitchen, Christmas Kettle Campaign, men’s emergency shelter services, disaster services support, and thrift store services.