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Coffee shop offers opportunity for those with special needs

Posted at 9:16 PM, Dec 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-12 11:52:14-05

Inside Community State Bank you'll find a local hot spot for coffee. Baristas like Rachel Ahrens are good at serving up a great cup of Joe.

But mixed in the coffee and cream, Rachel is also learning valuable life lessons. 

Rachel is a graduate from Shepherds College, an accredited college that offers 3-year vocational training for students with intellectual disabilities.

"I learned how to make different drinks, interact with people. It's just been really fun being able to grow here, " said Rachel.

"It's culinary students that are working in this café. They get to put their skills to use and apply them in real life employment like setting," said Tracy Terrill- president of Shepherds College.

Shepherds College and Community State Bank started their partnership when the president of the bank, Scott Huedepohl had a vision for a café in his bank.

"When we did some remodeling we designed and made this café, turned it over to Shepherds College so they could run with it and serve the people of Union Grove, said Huedepohl.

Proceeds from the sales go back to Shepherd's College. For more information on the Café click here.