from Centre College’s website
Since its inception in 2015, Centre College students have been actively involved in the local “pay-as-you-can,” non-profit organization Grace Café. Today, Bonner Scholar Anna Bushong ‘21 stands as the youngest member to be inducted to the café’s board of directors.
She joins efforts with recent Centre graduate Margaux Crider ‘18, who servers as the café’s community outreach coordinator.
In her first year at the College, Bushong began working with Grace Café as her primary service site to fulfill her Bonner service hours. Committed to the mission of the café, she extended her work there through a summer internship, which led to the opportunity to serve as the Centre representative on the organization’s board of directors.
“Anna brings a bright energy and presence to the café,” said Crider. “She has been a reliable and dedicated worker since the beginning. She is a humble leader, likely unaware of how much she inspires others.”
Crider herself has a long-standing dedication to the work of Grace Café that has extended beyond her years on Centre’s campus.
“During my time at Centre, I fell in love with this place, and I have volunteered off and on since my sophomore year,” she explained.
Upon Crider’s graduation from the College, Rochelle Bayless, founder and executive director of the café, offered her a part-time position as the organization’s community outreach coordinator.
“Margaux is driven, hard-working and incredibly talented. Whatever project you throw at her, she receives it with a smile, because she is invested in the mission,” Bushong said of Crider’s work.
Although separated by three years of experience, the motivation for these Centre students’ loyal service to the organization remains the same: dedication to the mission of Grace Café and to the members of the Boyle County community most in need of their help.
The sophomore biology and anthropology/sociology major said she is grateful for those the College has placed in her life, including her sorority sisters and fellow Bonner scholars.
“These individuals inspire me to pour myself into my passions,” Bushong explained. “I’ve been told ‘you only get out what you put in.’ I am passionate about my service at Grace Café and am grateful it has given me so much.”
Crider credits Centre’s environmental studies program for shaping and supporting her throughout her academic journey, as well as giving her hope for the world that inspires her service today, even after graduation.
“Simply, thank you to Centre and Grace Cafe. They both have truly made me who I am today,” Crider concluded. “They are special little pieces of earth that we’ve fortunately found ourselves in, and I’m doing my best to give back.”
Pictured above (l to r): Anna Bushong ’21; Grace Cafe Executive Director Rochelle Bayless; and Margaux Crider ’18, Grace Cafe community outreach coordinator