To be an employee at the Coffee Connection, there is a "three strikes" policy: having a history of substance abuse, being a woman and being convicted of a felony. Except those three strikes won't exclude you, but are actually what make you eligible to be hired!

How does the Coffee Connection put together a "recipe for healing" for new employees? "First we listen to their story," says Joy Bergfalk, "I'm big on accountability, but if you don't understand someone's behavior, you don't know enough of their story."

Tune in to this episode of the podcast to hear more from Joy on how the Coffee Connection is brewing up recipes for recovery and healing "one cup, one woman, one day at a time."

Joy comes from a family that questions the way things are traditionally done and works to find a more creative way to address needs in our society. She started collecting traumatized animals at age 5, and began her study of racism and trauma in third grade and has not looked back. Through study and experience, Joy has worked to create a recipe for healing from addiction, trauma, and incarceration. While most programs are short-term, the Coffee Connection/Project Empower offers a long-term program for women from this population. She is a tireless advocate for finding a paradigm that works and draws out women to live in their fullest potential to their benefit, the benefit of their families and society in general.