Pampanga’s Bella Goose Coffee is a welcoming place in more ways than one. Aside from serving high quality coffee and food. (If you’re into smooth, flowery flavors, their signature lavender latte is a must-try!) This is a place where anyone and everyone can feel they belong. Their warm atmosphere and team of friendly baristas are central to this, and they keep a little library of literature and table top games for customers to enjoy. But Bella’s most impressive effort in building an inclusive community is how they use profits to fight human trafficking. They take in women who have been set free from sex slavery, give them an opportunity to start over by training and employing them as roasters and baristas. Bella Goose—which means “Beautiful Lead”—aims to make leaders and trustworthy team players out of their employees by giving them purpose and empowering them with sustainable skills to serve society. It’s not everyday you encounter a cafe with such a sense of purpose. A cup of coffee at their shop means more than just a delicious break time treat, it also contributes towards saving lives.
