Exceptional Coffee.
Inclusive Purpose.
Local Impact.
Serving exceptional coffee with a purpose, the Cup of Kindness Café brews more than just beans; we are making a difference in the lives of people with disability. The Cup of Kindness Café is a supportive workplace where people with a disability gain confidence, skills and meaningful employment.
The Cup of Kindness Café is located on the main street of the Lake Macquarie suburb of Boolaroo. Open daily from 8am to 4pm, the café proudly serves locally roasted Crema Coffee Garage beans and Bondi Chai, alongside fresh, delicious food, all crafted with care by our incredible team of supported staff.
Empowering People Through Purposeful Employment
Since opening in March 2022, the Cup of Kindness Café has grown into a vibrant training hub for individuals with disability looking to build skills and confidence in a supportive hospitality environment. Under the guidance of our experienced support staff, participants are trained across all areas of café operations, including:
- Barista skills and customer service
- Kitchen operations and food safety certification
- Food preparation, cleaning, and daily café tasks
- Building confidence through progressive responsibilities
Our custom-designed kitchen program allows participants to work through four levels of cooking difficulty, starting with the basics and building up to more complex dishes. Once ready, participants even take on the role of ‘Head Chef’ in the kitchen, showcasing their talents with the support of our team.
Participant Spotlight:
Jed’s Bussin’ Sauce
What began as a personal passion quickly became a café favourite. ‘Jed’s Bussin’ Sauce’, a tangy, mouthwatering handcrafted sauce, was developed by Jed, a 20-year-old Café Supported Employment participant.
Jed joined the Cup of Kindness team in 2024 while completing his Certificate II in Kitchen Operations. His creativity and passion for cooking inspired the creation of his now-famous sauce, which has become a café menu staple due to its popularity with customers and is available for purchase in-store.
“One of my other hobbies is arm wrestling, and one of my favourite quotes comes from Devon Larratt which is that ‘everything is a wave, and every wave starts out low, it has a trough and then it comes back with equal power to how low it was.’ I don’t always think jumping in the deep end is the right answer. My advice to someone new starting at the cafe would be to do what you know you can do and then go from there. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t aspire to be more and don’t be too afraid to make mistakes on the way.”
-Jed
The Cup of Kindness Experience:
The Cup of Kindness Café offers a safe and supportive environment for participants to build financial independence, strengthen social connections, foster new friendships, and develop new work and life skills.
Experience Community and Friendship
Be an active part of the local community and build lasting friendships with like-minded people.
Be Empowered
Take charge of your career and independence by developing valuable life and work skills in a supportive environment.
Learn New Skills
Gain hands-on experience in a professional café while building transferable skills for work and life.
Grow Your Confidence
Believe in yourself and your abilities. Learn problem-solving skills and boost your confidence through meaningful paid employment.
Where You Will Find Us
43 Main Road, Boolaroo, 2284
Our People. Their Stories.
Kim and Jed’s Story
Step inside Cup of Kindness and meet Jed and Kim; two of our team members building skills, friendships, and confidence through supported employment. In this short video, they share what working at the café means to them, how it’s helped them grow, and what confidence looks like in their everyday lives. Plus, hear about Jed’s special creation: his very own signature sauce!
If you are curious about supported employment and how it can open doors, this is the perfect place to start.
A Great Little Find!
What a great little find! We were travelling and found Cup of Kindness by chance waiting for Costco to open. The staff made the place with their friendliness and the prices were so much better than any other café we visited in the greater Hunter area without losing the quality of the food. When I googled to leave a review, I didn’t realise what Cup of Kindness was all about and now I do, I’m even more pleased we found it. Such a great initiative and just goes to show how people can make a place.
Ally
Friendly Staff and Great Food
Can’t go wrong with this place. Vibrant atmosphere, friendly staff with a positive attitude and great food. Eggs done to perfection! Definitely coming back for more!
James
I Like Coming into Work
I like coming into work. I work two times a week. Depending on how I feel that day I like to sweep, vacuum and mop. Other days I prefer serving customers. I cook bacon and help doing meal preparation. I like it when my supports come and visit me at work. I like working with everyone.
Cup of Kindness, Participant, Dan
Best Coffee
Best coffee and delicious bacon and egg burger. The staff were lovely. Great experience!
Christine
Great Local Café
Great local Café, delicious well priced food, friendly staff and great coffee. Can’t wait to try the Christmas drink specials.
Michael
Like a Member of the Family
I’ve been to Cup of Kindness several times with my husband and also with a friend. I love this place, as I feel like a member of the family, such is the level of care and attention from the staff.
Joy
I am Happy Coming into Work
Amazing! I’ve had all different management in my time, but I love the management here. I am happy coming into work. My favourite part about the job is that they help you to make food and coffee and they help you make sure it is right. I’ve met an amazing person here Josh who has become my best friend.
My first day of work was the 4th of June 2022, I have been here the longest by two months.Cup of Kindness, Participant, Dion
Excellent food and service
I got my family to meet me at the cafe for breakfast this morning. Excellent food. The place was chockers for brekky today. The Indigenous women’s football team came for breakfast and sat inside the front window on the huge table to eat. They commented how good the food and service were while I was there eating. They said are coming every Saturday from now on.
Renee
The Best Thing That Has Ever Happened
The Cafe job is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Cup of Kindness Participant, Jake
A Great Little Find!
What a great little find! We were travelling and found Cup of Kindness by chance waiting for Costco to open. The staff made the place with their friendliness and the prices were so much better than any other café we visited in the greater Hunter area without losing the quality of the food. When I googled to leave a review, I didn’t realise what Cup of Kindness was all about and now I do, I’m even more pleased we found it. Such a great initiative and just goes to show how people can make a place.
Ally
Friendly Staff and Great Food
Can’t go wrong with this place. Vibrant atmosphere, friendly staff with a positive attitude and great food. Eggs done to perfection! Definitely coming back for more!
James
I Like Coming into Work
I like coming into work. I work two times a week. Depending on how I feel that day I like to sweep, vacuum and mop. Other days I prefer serving customers. I cook bacon and help doing meal preparation. I like it when my supports come and visit me at work. I like working with everyone.
Cup of Kindness, Participant, Dan
Best Coffee
Best coffee and delicious bacon and egg burger. The staff were lovely. Great experience!
Christine
Great Local Café
Great local Café, delicious well priced food, friendly staff and great coffee. Can’t wait to try the Christmas drink specials.
Michael
Like a Member of the Family
I’ve been to Cup of Kindness several times with my husband and also with a friend. I love this place, as I feel like a member of the family, such is the level of care and attention from the staff.
Joy
I am Happy Coming into Work
Amazing! I’ve had all different management in my time, but I love the management here. I am happy coming into work. My favourite part about the job is that they help you to make food and coffee and they help you make sure it is right. I’ve met an amazing person here Josh who has become my best friend.
My first day of work was the 4th of June 2022, I have been here the longest by two months.Cup of Kindness, Participant, Dion
Excellent food and service
I got my family to meet me at the cafe for breakfast this morning. Excellent food. The place was chockers for brekky today. The Indigenous women’s football team came for breakfast and sat inside the front window on the huge table to eat. They commented how good the food and service were while I was there eating. They said are coming every Saturday from now on.
Renee
