“Coffee & Connections is a sanctuary—
where safety lives before healing begins.”
Born From Fire
We didn't build this to serve coffee. We built it because too many of us found pain before we ever found safety.
Marylou survived trauma inside a system that tried to silence her. Tony almost died at his own hand to show how deeply it was broken.
This space was born from that fire—from stories no one wanted to hear, and lives no one cared to try to save.
The Spark
It started in a car. Tony had been thinking about what life might look like after the Army. His love of coffee sparked an idea: “I should open a coffee shop.”
One day, on the way to a trauma therapy appointment, Marylou said:
“What if you tied your coffee shop to mental health?”
A simple sentence. And an idea was born. What if we took all the pain—all the missed opportunities—and turned them into a bridge? A space that caught people before the crisis.
Our Guiding Principles
Comfort First
Coffee is a ritual—a warmth offered, not sold. Every cup is a gesture of care.
Belonging Before Bureaucracy
We don't need paperwork to welcome you. We see the person, their story, and their lived truth first.
Trauma-Informed Always
From how we greet you to how our chairs are arranged—we build with your nervous system in mind.
Governance with Heart
We reject hierarchy that harms. Every decision is shaped by shared voice, transparency, and dignity.
Joy Is Resistance
Our gaming rooms are landing pads for laughter. Joy isn’t a luxury here—it’s a healing force.
Context Creates Clarity
We honor the layers of lived truth—history, identity, and culture. Every story carries weight.