There are so many different business models that vary immensely depending on the goal and mission of the business. Some businesses have the goal to make as much money as they can, others seek to donate a percentage of their money, some are free and rely on funding and donations. The last one is what the Freedom Cafe seeks to do.
The Freedom Cafe is a non-profit located in Durham New Hampshire that has a singular goal of ending human traffic entirely. It does this in a unique way. Located just off campus of the University of New Hampshire, a school with a total of just over 15,000 students, the school seeks to educate the community on a grossly under-resourced and underfunded issue as well as a pressing social issue. The cafe does this by offering a collaborative space that welcomes students to engage in the issue and to take action. It offers presentations, talks, and community events.
The cafe also serves its visitors ethically sourced drinks, baked goods, and snacks. This is where it truly differs from other similar minded businesses. The Freedom Cafe charges no money for their products. Every single thing they serve is simply donations based, with 100% of the donations going to fight human trafficking. The cafe relies entirely on volunteers, “employing” 70-80 individuals every year, 50 of which are high school and college students.
The founder, Bryan Bessette, has a passion for pretty much every subject related to human traffic rooting back to a trip he took to Nepal. During the trip he served a group of survivors of bonded slavery. On returning to the US, Bryan was moved to make a difference in that field. He found that the students of UNH are particularly eager about making a difference in all things beneficial to the world. It was the perfect community to invest in.
Today, The Freedom Cafe partners with missions around the world, seeking to support them financially, by raising awareness and through prayer. The business model is one of hospitality and empowerment, fostering a culture of love and generosity.
It’s nice to see non profit organizations that can help and also spread the gospel. It’s great that they are fighting for a cause that they have passion for. Also, it is important to pray on it and let God’s will happen to the mission. It’s also great for the people who are being helped can realize where the nice gesture is coming from; and can lead them to God and evangelism from themselves.