After months of uncertainty, Casita Community Charitable Trust has found a new home in central Tauranga – and an unexpected opportunity to grow.

The organisation, which supports young people with disabilities to develop work and life skills, will relocate to The Cottage at 30 Second Ave on Monday, July 20, where it will reopen its marketplace and take over an existing cafe.

Founder and manager Charrissa Taylor said the move marked an exciting new chapter for Casita after its previous Greerton premises was badly damaged by flooding in severe weather earlier this year.

“It’s unfortunate there was this three-month period where everyone was in limbo, but in the end, I think we’ve found a good place with greater opportunities. I think it’s worked out for the best.”

Since leaving the Greerton premises, Casita continued operating at a reduced capacity from a shared space provided by Idea Services while searching for a permanent home.

For the past 10 years, Casita had created opportunities and a sense of belonging for young people with disabilities across Tauranga and the Western Bay.

Taylor, a special education teacher, founded the organisation after seeing a number of students leave school with few meaningful opportunities.

“I started Casita so the students leaving school had something to go to and a place to belong,” she said.

The trust provides a flexible work experience environment where young adults develop social, work and life skills while contributing to the community.

“They can come as they’re able, when they’re able, for as long as they can. We challenge the people we work with, but we also understand where their limits are.”

The new premises on Second Ave will feature Casita’s marketplace, selling arts, crafts, jewellery and other handmade products created by local makers, including many people with disabilities.

About 25 vendors, of whom about half live with disabilities, were expected to return.

The premises would also include a cafe, something Taylor said Casita had long hoped to establish.

“We’ve always wanted a cafe because it’s a whole lot of other work experience opportunities,” she said.

The cafe would allow participants to learn barista skills and gain experience preparing and selling food. Casita was already working with coffee supplier Excelso Coffee, Tauranga City Council and EmployNZ to secure the necessary food licence and training.

Some of the young people already make cookies, fudge and brownies, and Taylor hoped these products would soon be available for sale through the cafe.

Vital role

She said community support would play a vital role in making the venture successful.

“My hope is that people will come out and support us in the cafe and the shop and just see how much value our young people have to offer.

“They can work and contribute to our community and create things that are worth having,” Taylor said

“For a lot of them, employment isn’t really possible for all sorts of reasons, whether it’s an intellectual disability, epilepsy or something else. What we do gives them purpose because it’s a safe place where they can contribute.”

Casita hoped to welcome customers to its new Second Ave premises about a week after it moves in.