New Delhi, May 28: ‘Asha – The Hope Café’, a first-of-its-kind social enterprise was launched in Delhi Cantonment today. The initiative is designed to support Youth with Special Needs from armed forces families through hospitality skilling and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The café has been setup under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) support by United Spirits Limited (Diageo India). It will be further operated under the guidance of Army Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA). Conceived as a premium café with a strong community-led purpose, ASHA The Hope Café brings together hospitality, skilling and entrepreneurship to build a sustainable social enterprise.
The café has been designed as a professionally managed establishment featuring curated artisanal offerings and modern operational infrastructure. In addition to providing employment opportunities, the initiative will facilitate structured training in hospitality, café operations, bakery, finance and entrepreneurship. ASHA Café has been envisioned as a replicable model that can be expanded across cantonments over time.
Commenting on the initiative, Devashish Dasgupta, Director- Corporate Relations at Diageo India (USL), said; “Through our Learning for Life programme, we have worked to build skills and enable employment opportunities in the hospitality sector for youth, persons with disabilities and now members of the armed forces and their families. We’re proud to partner with AWWA on this project.”