October 2006, by Nikki Jardin [former Cafe Operations Manager]

Meet Patrick and Domingo, current WFD participants, and Brian, a past WFD participant.  Since the time of this writing, Patrick was hired as a Community Organizer.

In the month of August 2006, after a bit of a whirlwind, the Café welcomed six new staff members onto the team. Three of these members were hired through our Workforce Development Program, which assists employees back into the workforce after periods of joblessness, homelessness or other barriers to employment.

We are so happy that Patrick (cashier/closer), Brian (afternoon cook) and Domingo (dishwasher) have joined us. All three have been part of Sisters’ community of customers. Patrick is also currently active as both a Board Member and as a participant in the crossroads Leadership Operating Team (cLOT). We sat down with them and asked how they feel about being on the staff and how their jobs are going so far.

SOR: So, you guys all got hired around the same time and have been here a little while now. What do you think so far?

Domingo: I’m working real well with all the brothers and sisters. (I like to) see all different cultures. Works really well to be in all the meetings to learn what Sisters of the Road Café is all about and to learn all about non-violence. I used to be on the streets like 20 years and now I have the ability to pay my own rent with my part time job. I like what I doing right now ‘cause I’m disabled. Since I like to work with Sisters Of The Road I got the tattoo and now I know what it’s all about. I like it! (Domingo is referring to our logo – the circle with 3 x’s. Many Sisters’ staff have had that symbol tattooed on themselves!)

Brian: It’s neat seeing the way Sisters operates from the inside. And, I enjoy it, all the people……but we need to institute some changes. Like longer breaks for staff, more help from development and more cornbread liberties. (Laughs)

Patrick: Honestly, I’ve been associated with Sisters for a long time now, so a lot of what I see I’ve expected. It’s definitely the place I thought it would be to work for, there’s no shocks. Unless you guys have a hidden agenda that I haven’t been invited to the meetings for? (Laughs)

SOR: Does anything surprise you? Something you found out as a staff member that you didn’t know as a customer?

Domingo: Yes, all the different positions in the café. I have low education so I’m trying to learn all about the rules of Sisters, it’s not too hard, it’s just a lot.

Patrick: At each step you learn different things. As a Board Member you’re surprised at how deep the philosophy runs and how wide the staff’s range of knowledge has to be in order to run and work in a “simple little coffee shop and café”. As a staff member you realize exactly how much work goes into a day. As a customer you stand there and people hand you your mail. When you are the person actually handing the person their mail, it’s an entirely different story.



SOR: What keeps you coming back to work everyday?

Domingo: I feel great. For me to work 4 hours is great.  I used to work daily but I like these hours. At my age I can afford to work a little less! My social security won’t let me work too many hours either so this job you all give me helps me a lot.

Patrick: Coming from the streets and being a customer I really realized early on that a place like this is important. And if I wanted to see a change in how society handles homelessness, I had to be willing to be a part of that solution.

SOR:What would you like our audience to know about the café that they may not?

Domingo: To come and check us out and listen to our music we have playing. You don’t have to listen to all the commotion, just focus on the music and from there on you can see what we are all about, serving meals to the homeless and have a good conversation with them and ask them how they feel about things and what they are needing.

Brian: I’d like to let them know how much our cooks slave and work their fingers to the bone for the best $1.50 meal possible. And that we love doing it.

Patrick: The loft is painted a really bad color yellow and, it’s the toughest job you’ll ever love.
SOR: Anything you would like to add?

Domingo: I really enjoy working at Sisters Of The Road Café.  Since I was on the street a friend of mine told me about it. Sometimes I tell one of my sisters that they’re not alone, that they have a brother too.

Patrick: Hi Dad!