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Cafe Remains a Unique Partnership between CSB and Shepherds College
UNION GROVE — Community State Bank’s Cyndi Lambdin made a touching discovery that took place slowly over time.
As her patience grew, her heart became fuller.
The Kansasville resident is in her fourth year managing a special team of employees at Shepherds Community Cafe, located inside the Community State Bank headquarters in Union Grove.
The donation-based cafe operates in partnership with nearby Shepherds College, a one-of-a-kind post-secondary school designed to meet the unique learning needs of students with intellectual and development disabilities.
Lambdin’s job is to manage student-employees and teach them skills needed to be successful in the workforce.
The 59-year-old Racine native never envisioned she’d be the one learning the most.
“I get very emotional when I talk about this place,” Lambdin said. “It has taught me a lot of how to be grateful for who I am and what I am because of the patience these kids teach you.
“They have unconditional love. If they get to know you, they’ll love you. You’re their everything. They’re always happy to see you.”
Students serve up a variety of hot and cold coffee beverages, smoothies and iced teas for bank employees, customers and the community.
Union Grove’s Rachel Ahrens is a 2018 Shepherds College graduate. The 33-year-old began working in the cafe in July 2018 and has been there ever since.
Ahrens, who grew up in Rockton, Ill., moved to Union Grove to attend Shepherds College. She works part-time at the Union Grove Piggly Wiggly and volunteers regularly at the cafe.
“I love the people and I love the atmosphere,” Ahrens said. “Any time that any of my friends or family can visit, I get to make them a drink and show them how far I’ve come. I never thought I’d be able to go to college. I never thought I’d be where I am today.”
Waterford’s Kim Ottow knows Ahrens well. The 75-year-old Waterford resident stops in the cafe daily to mingle with customers, assist students and even make popcorn in the bank lobby.
“I’m still waiting for my first paycheck,” joked Ottow, who works as a driver for Racine-based Anchor Ministries.
It’s the usual cast of characters that makes Shepherds Community Cafe such a special place.
But that’s not to say managing a team with unique challenges is always easy. Lambdin is far more than a cafe manager to most everyone who meets her.
“There’s a lot of personalities,” Lambdin said. “Everyone is unique in their own way. Everyone has a different way of thinking.”
Many days, her job title consists of guidance counselor, referee and mother figure.
“She’s phenomenal,” Ottow said. “Who has that much patience and can deal with them in a way where they can totally understand?”
Lambdin helps students in many aspects of their lives. She follows their journey from the first time they walk into the cafe to graduation day at Shepherds College.
It’s become one of her favorite days of the year.
“This was my third graduation and I just cried because you’re so proud of them,” Lambdin said. “They’re just so gosh darn proud of themselves.”
Lambdin keeps in touch with many of the students through Facebook. Ahrens said she’s lucky to be able to spend time with Lambdin in the cafe.
“There are very few people I can trust,” Ahrens said. “I can trust so many people here at the cafe and especially her. Cyndi is somebody that I can go to for guidance. She encourages me to be the very best I can be.”
Lambin worked previously in the food industry. She retired following a 26-year career at YMCA Camp MacLean in Burlington before going back to work at Kwik Trip in 2018.
In January 2022, her daughter Becky McClelland worked for Community State Bank and recommended her for the position in the cafe.
“I go home and tell my husband (Dale) we have to thank the Good Lord for everything we have,” Lambdin said. “We’re very, very fortunate.”