A Coffee Connection: Radio show host Garrison Keillor to perform in support of Rochester shop
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — As we wrap up Women's History Month, we bring you a story about a coffee shop described as the perfect place for imperfect people.
In a world about making connections, one Rochester woman uses coffee as a lifeline for addicted, abused, or formerly incarcerated women seeking recovery, support, and a job.
'We don't call our women clients; they are our employees and friends, and we are friends. We work very hard at coming alongside people,' said Joy Bergfalk of Coffee Connection.
For the past 13 years, Bergfalk has served as the executive director of the Coffee Connection.
'We want to return people to full living,' she said. 'So, we offer that sober support, and we connect them with other resources if we cannot offer them ourselves.'
Whether she's greeting customers or roasting organically grown beans for retail or wholesale, every woman here has her own struggles, a journey that's been touched by Joy.
'She's rescued me several times,' said Amanda with Coffee Connection. 'I know I can call her and I can talk to her about anything. I know that there's not going to be judgment.'
Like hundreds before her, Amanda walked into the coffee shop in 2018 seeking help with her recovery.
'I really didn't have any expectations, I was just trying to do the right thing,' Amanda said.
Today, she's the head roaster assisting other women.
'We have such deep bonds that we have built,' Amanda said. 'Through this process, I have sponsored women and helped them along their journey in recovery, as well as them helping me along my journey.'
They've all been impacted in some way by addiction.
Tamara's daughter died from a fentanyl overdose in 2018. She said working at Coffee Connection is healing.
Alyssa Eisele started out as a volunteer when she moved to Rochester last summer. Now, this banker-turned-not-for-profit director will be taking over the coffee connection when Joy retires in April.
'Seems to be – the connections are what make this place go round, and it's not just who you know as much as – how you can help,' Alyssa said.
Before leaving, Joy is leaning on one more connection to help raise funds to support their mission: American author and radio personality Garrison Keillor.
'I'm coming there because I've been drinking coffee from Coffee Connection. I didn't know where it came from, I didn't know the story behind it, I just like the coffee a lot,' Garrison said.
Joy and Garrison both grew up in Minnesota. Joy said she listened to the Prairie Home Companion creator as a teenager. Although he's been out of the radio business for nearly a decade now, he's still writing and performing. He said he's looking forward to traveling from his home in New York City to meet the women behind Coffee Connection during a benefit show this Sunday.
'I'm going to stand out on stage and I'm going to talk about the beauty of being 82,' he said.
'Anything Goes' featuring Nickelodeon star in Brighton
Garrison, Joy, and the Coffee Connection women together for one night, on a journey filled with ups and downs, transformations, and disappointments.
You can learn more about the event, which will be held at The Hochstein School, by clicking here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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