Northumberland At 5, July 30, 2026
Photo courtesy of Melly's Market + Cafe Facebook.
By Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.
A summer training program has now launched in Port Hope to assist young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities build skills needed to enter the workforce.
Melly’s, a charity, public cafe and workplace is providing practical training, real work experience and confidence to participants to be successful in employment.
Young people with disabilities are less likely to have the resume experience potential employers are expecting.
Melly’s curriculum develops transferable skills combining repetition, and coaching in a paid environment.
Aimee Ruttle, co-founder at Melly’s says many graduates of the program are now gainfully employed.
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A very successful and popular program in Whitby, but with roots in Northumberland has expanded to Port Hope.
Melly’s has opened a summer cafe, aimed at helping young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain the skills and confidence necessary to enter the workforce.
Ellen McCrea, a Director at Melly’s says the program originated in Grafton and has helped 38 people obtain meaningful employment
