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Pilsen parish opens student-run coffee shop, ‘Holy Grounds’

Holy Grounds coffee shop at St. Paul Church in Pilsen serves customers daily in a basement area of the church. Through the help of grants, the coffee shop is staffed by local college students and students from nearby Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. The young people are in charge of all aspects of the coffee shop from managing it day to day, developing the menus and picking out the decor. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Signs lead people to Holy Grounds. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A sign leads people to Holy Grounds. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Itzel Cebrero and Jorge Becerra wash dishes in the sink on Jan. 15, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Jorge Becerra makes an order on Jan. 15, 2022. Becerra is a senior at Cristo Rey Jesuit Colle Prpe in Pilsen. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Itzel Cebrero makes an order on Jan. 15, 2022. She was the first employee hired for the shop in April 2021. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The decor designed by the staff on display. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Itzel Cebrero rings up Morgan Caracci's order on Jan. 15, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Morgan Caracci and her daughter Sofia enjoy their coffees on Jan. 15, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Sugars, a jug for water and other items for customers are available at the shop. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Itzel Cebrero makes an order on Jan. 15, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Specials advertised on the shop's counter on Jan. 15, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Staff take on every aspect of the shop including decorations. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Jorge Becerra holds up a T-shirt that customers can receive for a donation to the shop on Jan. 15, 2022. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The shop logo as seen in reverse through the window. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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