photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Dozens attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for Empowering Brew at Community Connections at Pinckney on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

A new student-run coffee shop at Community Connections at Pinckney officially opened its doors on Thursday, and one of the school’s teachers was surprised with $1,000.

The ribbon cutting ceremony for Empowering Brew brought together dozens of students, teachers and staff from across the Lawrence school district. Community members were also invited, and attendees were offered samples of a Rock Chalk Marshmallow Mocha and pastries available at the coffee shop.

The purpose of the coffee shop is to give recent high school graduates with disabilities hands-on work experience, customer service, communication and teamwork skills. It is also to prepare students for job readiness and achieve successful employment after high school.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Free coffee samples are served at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Empowering Brew on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

Jenna Viscomi, principal of Community Connections at Pinckney, said Empowering Brew is much more than a coffee shop.

“Yes, we’re going to serve some great coffee, and yes, we’re going to have some pretty fantastic specialty drinks, but what we’re really serving here is opportunity,” Viscomi said.

“For many of our students, getting that first job isn’t easy,” Viscomi said. “They may need additional instruction, extra practice, visual support, or someone who believes in their abilities before they fully believe in themselves. That’s what Empowering Brew is all about.”

To help bring the entire project to fruition, The Big 12/College Football Playoff Foundation in partnership with the Lawrence Schools Foundation have recently helped complete upgrades for the coffee shop and an outdoor seating area.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Dozens attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for Empowering Brew at Community Connections at Pinckney on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

Jenn Hunter, the chief impact officer for the Big 12 Conference, said she hopes the coffee shop will inspire other companies in Lawrence to offer positions to students exiting programming at Pinckney.

“We do really hope that this moment today really sparks those in the community to come out and make sure that you are employing these young adults who are capable, who are willing, and who are really passionate and dedicated,” Hunter said.

Bonnie Lowe, CEO of The Chamber of Lawrence, said she was excited that the partners involved invested in the public school space and created an opportunity to strengthen the community. Lowe also offered a Lawrence Chamber membership to the coffee shop at no cost.

“That will give you greater exposure,” Lowe said. ” … And we look forward to promoting you in the business community.”

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Empowering Brew at Community Connections at Pinckney, 810 W Sixth St.

The former Pinckney Elementary School now houses the Community Transition or C-Tran program after it was one of two elementary schools that closed in 2023. The C-Tran provides workplace and independent living skills training and special education services for people ages 18 to 21.

There was also a surprise on Thursday. Gary Denham, a teacher at Community Connections at Pinckney, was called to the front of the crowd for a game of trivia. But instead, he was awarded $1,000 from The Big 12 Conference.

Denham, who told the crowd he has been teaching since 2008, was recognized with the award for his hard work and efforts to help students be successful at Pinckney.

The student-run coffee shop will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be parking available outside of the shop as well as drive-up ordering. Credit cards and cash will be accepted.

“I hope our customers get to know our students, build relationships with them, and recognize the incredible potential that exists in each one of them,” Viscomi said. “And I hope that businesses throughout Lawrence see what our students are capable of and become inspired to open their own doors to employment opportunities.”

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Gary Denham, a teacher at Community Connections at Pinckney, received a $1,000 gift on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Gary Denham, a teacher at Community Connections at Pinckney, received a $1,000 gift on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Jenn Hunter, the chief impact officer for the Big 12 Conference, talks with Superintendent Jeanice Swift on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026 at the ribbon cuttng for Empowering Brew.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Dozens attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for Empowering Brew at Community Connections at Pinckney on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Free pastry samples are served at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Empowering Brew on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

An attendee at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Empowering Brew holds a cup from the coffee shop on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Jenna Viscomi, principal of Community Connections at Pinckney, speaks at the ribbon cutting for Empowering Brew on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Mayor Brad Finkeldei speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Empowering Brew on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Bonnie Lowe, CEO of The Chamber of Lawrence, speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Empowering Brew on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Big Jay is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026 at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Empowering Brew.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Jenn Hunter, the chief impact officer for the Big 12 Conference, speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Empowering Brew on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Travis Goff, director of athletics and vice chancellor at the University of Kansas, speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Empowering Brew on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Empowering Brew at Community Connections at Pinckney, 810 W Sixth St.