Homeless Find New Beginnings In Cup Of Coffee

from WLBZ

The Homepage Cafe, as it is called, uses equipment donated by Starbucks and grant money from Bank of America.

It's hard to think of redemption in the form of a cup of coffee, but it is for Yvonne Bailey.

Not long ago, Yvonne could have shown you the best abandoned buildings to spend the nights in south Philly if you were homeless like she was.

With a squeeze of the ceremonial scissors, Project H.O.M.E. opened the first internet coffee cafe today at the free library of Philadelphia.

Bagels, cookies, and starbucks all served up by baristas who were formally homeless and are beating the odds with every cup of breakfast blend they pour.

Sister Mary Scullion of Project H.O.M.E. says "the lives of the people here today are a testament of hope. It shows that solutions are possible when there is meaningful opportunities to succeed."

Reginald Cintron, homeless for four years, never thought that opportunity would come as he slept on the streets of north Philadelphia.

Reginald says "I thought this was the way I was going to live for the rest of my life, but I was wrong."

The coffee shop not trying to make a profit, only reverse the cycle of poverty and homelessness for its fifteen employees.