In a unique social enterprise arrangement, STREAT, which provides social support and training to homeless and disengaged youth in Melbourne, has taken over two cafes established by Fair Business in 2008 to create jobs for local unemployed people. STREAT acquired the cafes after having been approached by Fair Business who wanted to collaborate with likeminded entities in the local area.

STREAT has taken over both the Social Roasting Company’s sites in Melbourne the cafe and roaster at 307 Racecourse Road, Flemington and the cafe at 5 McKillop Street, Melbourne.

The two new locations will allow STREAT to expand training opportunities for more disadvantaged youth. The acquisition was a unique social finance deal with STREAT securing a number of social investors, including Fair Business, to support the purchase of the businesses.

SVA is hugely excited by this collaboration between two complementary social enterprises, illustrating the power that sustainable social enterprises can have in helping to transform lives and communities.