For Erica Raggett, a California veterinary student-turned-middle school science teacher in Houston, owning a coffee shop was a pipe dream.
In December of 2010, Raggett was teaching at YES Prep when she uncovered the truth about child sex trafficking and Houston's part in it as a major hub. She knew that she couldn't just sit idly by, and wanted to get the word out to Houstonians that this happens in their ZIP codes, along their streets, in unassuming strip centers.
"I couldn't believe that human beings could treat other human beings like this," Raggett tells CultureMap.
Visitors can stop by for a jolt of caffeine or a quiet spot to work and leave with a greater understanding of human trafficking — and hopefully a drive to do something about it.
During her early days of interest in the topic, Raggett spent a large amount of time and effort to discover local key players. She noticed gaps in funding for aftercare, which meant many victims — an astounding 96 percent, most of them girls between the ages of 11 and 14 — were lured back into the sex trade.
She wanted to find a way to connect people with organizations and organizations with each other, so she combined her passion and her pipe dream to found A 2nd Cup, a non-profit coffee shop aimed at raising awareness and funds, cup by cup, for local organizations that fight against human trafficking.
More than 50 volunteers transformed a little-used room at The Vineyard Church in the Heights into a warm, inviting "incubator" space, one that will serve as a temporary location while the fledgling organization gets on its feet.
Visitors can stop by for a jolt of caffeine or a quiet spot to work and leave with a greater understanding of human trafficking — and hopefully a drive to do something about it.
"The first question that people usually ask is, 'OK, what can I do?,' " Raggett says.
A 2nd Cup has set up a bulletin board listing the mission statements of local allies — like Houston Rescue & Restore, Free the Captives, Redeemed Ministries and Freedom Place — and tear-off sheets indicating who to contact to get involved, plus a calendar for events, movie nights and book discussions at the coffee shop.
"I think that people are interested in partnering with us because we are doing something very different," Raggett says.
"I think that people are interested in partnering with us because we are doing something very different," Raggett says.
One of those partners is Children At Risk, which plans to hold meetings in the space; another is Boomtown Coffee's Matt Toomey, who roasts the coffee and has proven to be an invaluable resource for tips on starting a successful business.
The shop officially opened its doors on June 24, and although it is currently only open for business two days each week, the board expects to extend hours and the menu over the next several months and secure a permanent location within a year.
Meanwhile, A 2nd Cup will be raising awareness this weekend with a booth at Boomtown Coffee during the White Linen Night festivities. Stop by to pick up some merchandise (they'll be selling T-shirts, mugs, cold cups and more) and learn more about the mission — and to see Boomtown's Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
A 2nd Cup is located at 1035 East 11th Street, and business hours are Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A 2nd Cup volunteers transformed a little-used room attached to The Vineyard Church into a cozy space. The non-profit organization does not have religious affiliations.
A vintage picture of chefs EJ Miller and Ryan Lachaine. Photo by