Origin Coffee to fight sex trafficking

When you buy a cup of joe at Origin Coffee in Rocklin, you know exactly where the money goes — after the rent and bills are paid, proceeds go to fight sex trafficking. The nonprofit business is hoping to stir up awareness on the importance of battling sex trafficking overseas in countries like Cambodia and India. Through Origin Coffee, Chad Salstrom, who is spearheading the effort, makes it simple for people to support the war on sex trafficking. "Fighting trafficking is as simple as buying coffee," Salstrom said. The majority of the money raised by Origin Coffee drinkers will go toward two nonprofits working toward eliminating the presence of sex trafficking of young women — International Justice Mission and Agape International Missions. "Our money is going three ways — rescue, recovery and cultural development," Salstrom said. The coffee shop also has plans to raise awareness within the community of Rocklin, not only through its mission and profits, but also by selling clothing made by women who have been saved from the human sex trafficking industry.Backed with the support from members of Origin Church in Rocklin, the coffee house will be volunteer driven — all baristas and cashiers will be working for free and all proceeds above overhead costs with go toward fighting the cause. The church is no stranger to the strong connection to caffeine drinkers — Origin Church services were held at It's a Grind, which was located on Sunset Boulevard in Rocklin. Pastor Mark South said then that the church's mission was to meet the needs of the community through actions, not words. They demonstrated this last February with the launch of their church as they asked attendees to donate travel-sized toiletries for The Gathering Inn, a nonprofit, which provides showers to Placer County's homeless population. Now, they are carrying out that mission with the grand opening of Origin Coffee & Tea, which is expected to open Jan. 22. Despite the help of a church behind them, Origin Coffee is not a Christian coffee shop, Salstrom said. "It's a community place," he said.Salstrom has plans for the shop to house not only Artisan coffee, but also pastries, art from local artists and be a place for people to congregate, whether it's by renting out a room for a meeting, holding a kids story time or open-mic nights. Salstrom said the coffee house is almost two years in the making and stems from an idea of raising awareness by example. "If we're serious about fighting sex trafficking, it's not something that will happen quickly," Salstrom said. Salstrom said sex trafficking is a selfish business and they plan to fight the issue head on by being self less. "We want to fight that by doing the exact opposite," he said. "We want to come and give and serve."The coffee shop is expected to open Jan. 22 with regular hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Salstrom said volunteers are welcome and needed to fulfill three-month rotations. For more information on volunteering, contact Chad Salstrom at (916) 303-6573 or e-mail at csalstrom@origincoffee.org.Origin Coffee & TeaWhere: 2168 Sunset Blvd., Suite 105, RocklinHours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. dailyContact: (916) 303-6573; origincoffee.orgFor more photos: Origin Coffee & Tea volunteer training