Training adults with disabilities in catering professions

Cher Difteurs,
There's no shortage of projects at Source de Joie! For example, since last November, the very first small campus dedicated to training has opened its doors to train people with mental and cognitive disabilities in the catering and sales professions, just opposite Café Joyeux Saint-Philippe-du-Roule (Paris 8e).
"I like the training, you learn lots of practical and theoretical things. I like the practical workshops, it's a change from sitting and just listening!" Charles-Henri, a crew member in training since April 2025, tells us.

This space is key to developing our social impact and promoting the inclusion of people with mental and cognitive disabilities in mainstream environments. The Centre de Formation d'Apprentissage Joyeux (CFAJ) thus trains apprentice team members over a period of 24 to 36 months. The training offered promotes skills development and strengthens the employability of team members.
A huge thank you to each and every one of you for your loyal commitment to inclusion alongside us! 💛

Dear Difteurs,

This past November 27 was a big day for Café Joyeux Marseille!

Mark, Carla-Marie, Camille, Félicien, Matis, Léo and Éloi, our 7 Marseilles team members, had the joy of receiving their State Diploma in Multipurpose Catering Employee. A fine reward after 18 months of on-the-job apprenticeship training via the Centre de Formation d'Apprentissage Joyeux.

Eloi's mom testifies to the impact Café Joyeux has had on her son:

"There really is a before and after to working at Café Joyeux. What has really changed is that he has a role in society. He's given responsibilities, he's counted on. For him, that's huge: he feels useful and proud of his work ! He has a visible job, he exchanges with the guests. It's as if he exists more.

To date, 88 team members have received their state diploma: what a source of pride for them and their families!

Still CONGRATULATIONS to the 7 new graduates, and a huge THANK YOU to you for your loyal support, which enables team members like Éloi to reveal their potential in an ordinary working environment.

Cher Difteurs,

It was with immense pride that, on June 18, Mathilde, Louis, Charlotte and 13 other Parisian teammates obtained their Employé polyvalent de restauration diploma, recognized by the French Ministry of Labor. This success marks the culmination of the training delivered by the Centre d'Apprentissage Joyeux (CFAJ). 🎓A great reward after two years' work!

It's with emotion that Aurélie, team member at Klésia's Café Joyeux Inside, shares with us what this means to her:

To date, 75 team members have received the state diploma for multi-skilled catering staff, and 40 are currently in training. Well done to them!

💛 Thank you for your loyal support for inclusion!Your commitment makes a real difference to lives!

Dear Difteur-ses,

This will be a memorable start to the year for the11 apprentice team members at Bordeaux's Café Joyeux: surrounded by their loved ones, they proudly received their Employé polyvalent en restauration diploma, recognized by the French Ministry of Labor. The moment marked the culmination of two years' work-study training, provided by the Centre de Formation d'Apprentissage Joyeux (CFAJ).

Congratulations to them! 🎉

Florian, team member at Café Joyeux Bordeaux, tells us, "I got the first diploma of my life! I learned a lot of interesting things, like how to set a plate or the rules of hygiene in the kitchen. But the most important thing is my self-confidence!"

Lasting 18 to 24 months, the training program is structured around 4 main skill areas: assembling and dressing starters, hot dishes and desserts; welcoming, advising and serving customers; and washing up and cleaning the premises. Awareness is also raised on citizenship issues.

Dear difteurs, thanks to your concrete commitment to inclusion, you are enabling Florian and the other happy apprentices, all with mental and cognitive disabilities, to become catering experts and integrate sustainably into our society.

💛 A huge THANK YOU for your support! 💛

Dear difteurs,

In 2024, 33 team members in Bordeaux, Lyon, Nantes, Paris and Rennes obtained the state-recognized certification of "Employé Polyvalent en Restauration ", after completing their training via the Centre de Formation d'Apprentissage Joyeux (CFAJ).

Since its creation, 50 team members have been successfully trained! A success celebrated with joy at the graduation ceremonies 🎓.

This training is carried out in our cafés-restaurants in work situations for the practical part and with trainers trained in inclusion for the associated knowledge.

For team members, this training represents a real turning point in their professional lives! ✨

It's thanks to your loyalty and support that team members like Alix or Félix can reveal their full potential, prove their worth and find their place in an ordinary working environment.

Dear difteurs,

Marianne, apprentice team member at Café Joyeux Westfield Parly 2, told us:

"I love learning. This allows me to progress, and in 2025, I'll be able to take the Employé polyvalent de restauration exam. That'll be a stroke of luck! With this diploma, I'll be able to stay at Café Joyeux or work elsewhere. For the time being, I want to continue working at Café Joyeux. Classes are held on Monday afternoons. I learn a lot about germs, hygiene and the need to wash hands, otherwise guests get sick and the food has to be thrown away. During the lessons, we use games, pictograms and a tablet: it's fun and fast. I want to pass the exam, it will be my first diploma!"

Like Marianne, there are currently 66 team members taking the training delivered by the Centre de Formation des Apprentis Joyeux (CFAJ).

All hired on permanent contracts at a Café Joyeux in Paris, Tours, Marseille, Nantes, Bordeaux or Angers, they have chosen to follow the apprenticeship training offered by the CFAJ, which gives them the opportunity to become true catering professionals and prepare for the state diploma of Multi-skilled Catering Employee.

Integrally adapted to people with mental and cognitive disabilities, this on-the-job training focuses on enhancing their experience in the workplace.

To date, 40 other apprentices have completed the training and graduated with flying colors. What pride for them!

They've done it: they've graduated!  

On January 8, the 10 cheerful teammates Sacha, Anne-France, Charles, Thomas, Jacques, Mathilde, Cécilia, Paloma, Pierrick and Noé had the joy of receiving their diploma, from the hands of their class godmother!

After two years of apprenticeship training at Café Joyeux cafés-restaurants, intense revision this summer and an exam at the beginning of October, the 10 team members passed with flying colors the State Diploma in Catering Agent (Level 3), awarded by the Ministry of Labor.
The training is provided by the Centre de Formation des Apprentis Joyeux. It is centered on enhancing the value of on-the-job experience, and aims to enable team members to gain self-confidence, contribute to their professional fulfillment by broadening their field of skills, and eventually enable them to join any type of hotel-restaurant establishment. 

 

A huge BRAVO to all the graduates!