Lake County Gazette

Coal City High School’s Transitions Program recently hosted Kris Sayers, founder of Beans-and-Bites, for a presentation on the progress of a new community project. Sayers shared the blueprints for the non-profit coffee cafe’s first permanent location, which is under development in the 1200 block of E. Division St. in Diamond. The facility will offer drive-up and quick pickup services for coffees, teas, baked goods, and lunch items.

Beans-and-Bites has been active at local events and businesses since its founding several years ago. Through a partnership with the Transitions Program, the organization provides learning opportunities to students enrolled in the program led by Sarah Lusson. The program focuses on helping students move from high school to adult life by preparing them for independence, employment, and community involvement.

The Coal City Community Unit School District 1 includes schools such as Coal City Early Childhood Center, Coal City Elementary School, Coal City High School, Coal City Intermediate School, and Coal City Middle School across Grundy and Will counties (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to data from the Illinois State Board of Education, there are 153 teachers in the district with an average salary of $69,297; 77.9 percent are women and 22.1 percent are men. No teachers have more than ten absences per year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student population is predominantly White at 86.9 percent, with Hispanic students making up 9.6 percent; Black and Asian students each represent 0.6 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, district spending per student was $21,619 for a total expenditure of $47 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

“A large part of Lusson’s program is to assist students transition from high school into adult life and much of that is centered on preparing them for life outside of school—independence, employment and being a part of the community,” according to information provided by the program.