Collegian | Lauren Scott
A new coffee shop in Quincy aims to end human trafficking by taking a ministry-oriented approach to business.
Refuge Coffee is a family owned business that opened last March. Owner Dawn Bracy said the idea for it came, “straight from the Lord.”
“We started to get many confirmations that this is exactly what God wanted,” Bracy said. “He gave me the name and told me very clearly.”
Refuge Coffee aims at bringing awareness to human trafficking through the mission of their store and through community outreach.
“We started a human trafficking awareness group for our community,” Bracy said. “We trained the hotel staff around the Coldwater area to know what to look for in human trafficking.”
They also contribute to the fight monetarily.
“Every cup that we sell ends up helping the fight against human trafficking,” Bracy said.
Refuge House buys its coffee from Bella Goose, a roaster in Wisconsin that raises money to fight human trafficking and hires survivors of trafficking at their stores, according to Bracy.
Faith is a central element of their business, Bracy said. The store creates opportunities to open conversations about faith with customers.
“We offer to pray over people,” Bracy said. “We pray over people pretty much daily. You would be surprised by the amount of amazing conversations we have had.”
While praying with customers is central to Refuge Coffee, Bracy is careful in how she goes about it.
“I don’t feel like it’s in your face, but it is available and people know,” Bracy said.
Bracy said support from the community has brought many opportunities.
“We have had a lot of support from the community and it’s branching out. We do worship nights once a month,” Bracy said.
The business utilizes the whole family’s talents. Bracy said the whole family learned how to bake when they first opened. Rachelle Bracy, Dawn Bracy’s daughter, works as a barista and decorates the coffee sleeves with encouraging phrases and drawings.
“When I have free time I try to put as much time into them as I can,” Rachelle Bracy said.
Aside from designing the coffee sleeves, Rachelle Bracy said she enjoys watching the younger crowd gather.
“My favorite thing is having the kids come in after school,” Rachelle Bracy said. “There are two little boys that will sit up there and drink their hot chocolate and talk to us like little adults. It’s really cool to see how they enjoy it here.”
Refuge Coffee not only attracts younger customers after a long day at school, but local Mariah Johnson often visits to work on coursework for her master’s degree.
“Having another coffee shop in the area that is family-based and family-owned is really good, too,” Johnson said. “I am working on my master’s, so having somewhere to go to do homework that’s not my house has been good.”
Johnson said her favorite thing about Refuge Coffee is the welcoming environment.
“It’s almost like an outreach in my mind and having an outlet to feel comfortable in my faith,” Johnson said.20
