Welcome to the Ocean Park Business Association's Member of the Month Page.

This Month the OPBA featured member is Morrison Cafe.

Employment training program pays off.

By Hannah Sutherland, photo by Brian Giebelhaus - Peace Arch News Nov. 20th, 2009 (with permsion)

As a member of the Special Olympics BC hockey and softball squads, Tanja Sullivan knows the importance of being a team player.

It’s a value she brings with her to the kitchen at Semiahmoo House Society, where she has partaken in the catering program for six years.

Sullivan, who has a mild developmental disability, helps prepare dishes for the organization’s hot lunches, as well as special events, such as weddings, memorials, parties and meetings.

Program participants – usually about 10 Semiahmoo House clients per day – cook from a rotating menu that includes everything from butter chicken to paninis.

Not only has the catering program taught Sullivan, 30, about cooking, but she has also learned how to function in a work environment.


“(It’s) for these guys to develop their skills, to find employment outside,” training and support worker Tara Frazer said. “A lot of what we do here is team building and learning on their own.”

The program teaches about hygiene, professional conduct, social skills, problem solving, how to use transit, punctuality, dress codes and how to respect supervisors and coworkers. Once a participant shows he or she is ready to obtain employment, a co-ordinator with the Customized Employment Program helps find a suitable job.

Such was the case for Sullivan, who graduated from the catering program and was hired a year ago at Morrison Cafe in Ocean Park, where she currently works four days a week washing dishes.

“She’s someone we’ve learned never to underestimate,” owner Pat Macri said. “She’s very reliable and a hard worker and extremely pleasant to be around. All the other employees just love having her there because she has such a smile; she just lights up the room when she smiles.”

Macri said she contacted Semiahmoo House about the job opportunity upon the suggestion of a friend whose son is a client of the organization.

“We originally thought our friend’s son would do it, but they had Tanja in mind,” she said, noting a job coach helped train Sullivan. “Our restaurant is quite fast-paced and it’s a lot of work, and they felt Tanja was best suited.”
Macri recommends other businesses look into the program, as Sullivan is a loyal employee, who she hopes will stay with Morrison Cafe for a long time.

“She’s learned a lot and we were lucky enough to get her. Whenever she is away... it just really does leave a big gap. It’s not just sort of a token job; it’s real work and she’s really missed when she’s not here.”

On top of her responsibilities at the restaurant, Sullivan continues to attend Semiahmoo House’s catering program every Monday.

For more information on the Semiahmoo House Societylink here.
For more information on Morrison Cafe in Ocean Parklink here.

The Ocean Park Business Association (OPBA) invites you to join us to meet your fellow business people and to lend your voice to the business community when it speaks about issues of concern and interest to its members. The OPBA meets at the Ocean Park Community Association Hall 1577- 128 Street. Light lunch is available for $6. We meet every 2nd Thursday of the Month @ 12:00PM.
Interested in attending?.... or can't attend? please call OPBA acting Membership Chair, Laura Thibeault @ 604-531-1111 or-Mail @ LAURA.