February 7, 2013
A special-needs teacher at Charlottesville High School (CHS) had started a program using a grant and because of its success, she is able to give that money back.
Ellen Vigour received a $3,000 grant a few years ago to start the coffee shop, inside CHS.
It is run by her special-needs students to help teach them life skills. In the past few years the shop has been so profitable, Vigour is returning the grant money.
"Over the years this has far surpassed my original expectation for the coffee shop,” said Vigour. “Students are learning skills in all areas of academics as well as social skills."
Vigour adds that she hopes the city will use the money to pay for other grants to help special-needs students.
