HOUSTON (FOX 26) -
Erica Raggett scooped ice from an ice chest before stirring an iced coffee to perfection.
"Here's your mocha; straws are over there and the cost is $3.50," Raggett said to one of her many customers.
Raggett and the other baristas at A 2nd Cup are all volunteers. They're serving caffeine and awareness.
"Houston is one of the major hubs in the country for human trafficking, to connect people who find out about human trafficking with other organizations who are already working in the fight against human trafficking," Raggett said.
Raggett has committed herself to stopping trafficking since she learned about this growing problem here in Houston.
An estimated 14,000 to 17,000 people, mostly women and children, are trafficked into the US annually. The Department of Justice says our area is one of the most intense regions for trafficking.
Given those facts and overwhelming statistics, Raggett founded A 2nd Cup.
"I feel like most times where people hear about it, the first question is, ‘How can I help'?"
How about ordering? All proceeds go towards organizations fighting against human trafficking.
Raggett's goal is to eventually provide trafficking survivors things like counseling, mentoring and tutoring.
But first, she said the focus is getting enough money to find A 2nd Cup a permanent location. Their current location on 11th Street in the Heights is on loan.
Until then, they'll continue to educate each and every customer, one cup of coffee at a time.
