Something Fresh is Happening!

So many women live in poverty, not because they lack abilities, but because they lack opportunity. Overflow is joining with Trades of Hope to give women around the world that opportunity for a better life. Each woman has a story, and with Trades of Hope's help, their story has changed from pain and struggle to a story of hope! We're excited to further these stories.

Here's a video sharing the story of one Trades of Hope artisan in Uganda:

Trades of Hope works with the artisans themselves and organizations that are helping women in difficult circumstances. Some women have been rescued from sex slavery. Others are raising handicapped children alone. Some are in war torn countries and others have aids and leprosy. These women have never had the chances we've had, yet they are just like us in so many ways. They love their families and hope and dream of a better life for them.

Here are the various ways you can make a purchase and give a gift to yourself or to a friend that also gives a gift to a woman in poverty and her community:

• Shop at Overflow the next time you're in.  We have select items available for direct purchase.
• Shop online at mytradesofhope.com/overflowcoffeebar.  All items are available and can be shipped to any address in the United States.
• Host a party with your friends.  More info here.   

In case you need some enticement, here's an online promo that starts soon:

Thank you for changing the world with us!

A Journey Into Ethical Economics

written by Amanda Neely*

We are all consumers. We have to eat, drink, and be clothed. We can't stop consuming unless we want to go totally off the grid and survive off our own homestead (if that's what you want to do, more power to you!).

I was exposed to Fair Trade in college and have spent all my adult years trying to figure out how to make more and more of my consumption ethical.  It's been hard.  I'm not totally there yet.  But it's been totally worth it.

My journey started in college.  I actually wanted to major in economics when I arrived my first year.  I had gone to econ camp in high school and loved what I learned about supply and demand and such.  But when I met upperclassmen who were majoring in econ, I realized that path wasn't for me.  I cared a lot about people and wanted to make decisions in my life based on how they affect real people, not based on logic, science or economic theory.  In case you're wondering, I ended up studying psychology and minoring in music but took as many social science classes as I could. 

There is no single moment I can point to when I started thinking about ethical economics but several smaller circumstances that added up (you'll see this pattern again before we're done).

• My university served fair trade coffee in our cafeterias so my first cups of coffee to stay awake when my first finals approached were fair trade.  
• One of my professors added Fast Food Nation to our syllabus and I learned about how inhumanely animals and humans are treated in our fast food system.  
• I took a class my last quarter called "Love in the Time of Capitalism" and learned how our evolving economics have transformed our relationships - marriages, families, friendships, all of them.  

In short, during college, my mind and my emotions were awakened to how our economic system works and its flaws. 

Then, I took that giant leap into the real world.  Like most recent college grads, I didn't have a lot of money so I was faced with the challenge of continuing my ethical economics journey without being able to spend a lot for products that actually paid people well and took care of the planet. 

In the almost 10 years that have passed since, I learned quite a bit about what I can do.  Here are two examples:

1. I might not be able to buy fair labor clothing all the time but I can always afford thrift stores.  Thrift stores are not adding to the slavery system that produces many of the clothes we wear.  Plus, there's an added environmental impact of reusing materials so that no new materials need to be produced. 
2. I couldn't necessarily afford to buy all my food locally and certified organic but switched my milk and eggs.  When I'm able, I buy other items locally and certified organic but these two products have been any easy switch and are probably making a significant contribution to my overall health, not to mention the health of farmers, cattle, chickens, and our ecosystem. 

Most significantly, this journey has led me to start a coffee shop that promotes ethical economics.  We go beyond fair trade to offer direct trade coffee, tea, and chocolate.  Our baker uses local, non-GMO ingredients.  We have a gift shop with fair trade artisan products from around the world.  Plus, we improve our entire product sourcing as we're able.

I've also learned some related principles. 

First, it is not just about switching my purchasing habits to more ethical products but also about buying less.  For example, it's virtually impossible to produce smart phones and other technology without using slave labor.  There's a particular mineral needed, 90% of which comes from slavery conditions.  So, I have learned to only upgrade my technology as needed.  I don't need the latest and greatest cell phone.  I can wait until my current phone breaks before purchasing something new.  It's not that big of a sacrifice and it actually helps me feel better about my actions.

I've also learned that I can't just spread this awareness or consciousness about the impact of consumption on the planet and the people who live here.  Along with rising consciousness, I need to help people take action. When people are aware of issues but don't have something tangible to do to correct that injustice, I have noticed that they become jaded and cynical to the issue.  They lose their sense of empathy and compassion for those most affected by injustice.  Yet, I believe and have witnessed that when people have something tangible to do, however small, we do it and trust that we are making a difference.

Trust is a big related principle too.  This whole concept of ethical economics takes a lot of trust.  I need to trust that my small actions aren't just a drip in a huge bucket that never gets full.  I need to trust that others are also dripping into this same bucket by their small actions and thereby making it much more likely that our positive dripping will amount to a bucket full of positivity that overflows with positive results to the entire world.  Just like those small circumstances in college made a difference in my life, I trust that my small positive actions, along with others around the world doing similar things, positively transform the future.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere.  I would spin that into a positive, ethical economics anywhere add up to change the economic system everywhere.

*This is an opinion piece and only reflects the current views of the writer.  It does not reflect the views of Daystar School, Daystar Center, Overflow Coffee Bar, their employees, or their leadership.  The writer acknowledges that her views might change over time and welcomes you to communicate your thoughts about ethical economics to her so that her views are enriched by your own.

Why "The Quiet Workshop" Relates to Drinking Ethical Coffee

In partnership with Daystar Center, we're hosting The Quiet Workshop on Saturday, May 30, 2015.  The idea is that we spend the majority of our lives being stressed and busy.  What if we took 8 hours on 1 day to begin to address our stress and busyness?  Could we step out of the traffic, see how it feels, and perhaps incorporate some quiet into our every day lives?

What does this have to do with drinking coffee that's good for the farmers and the planet?

EVERYTHING.

• Both have to do with purposeful living (one of Overflow's values).  
• Both have to do with actually thinking about why we do what we do - from where we spend our money to how we spend our time.  
• Both are about the habits we build INTO our lives to help build UP our lives (and the lives of others).

If this seems up your alley, we invite you to check out the full details.  Register early for a $20 discount and to reserve your seat before it fills up.  Space is limited to 40 people so there's lots of value to the workshop.

Thoughts on Our 4 Year Anniversary

Today marks 4 years since we opened to the public on March 18, 2011.  In case you're wondering, the day after St. Patrick's Day is most definitely a great day to open a coffee shop, at least in Chicago.  I'm sure you can imagine why.

The past 4 years have had their ups and downs.


We knew when we chose the South Loop neighborhood that we had an uphill battle in front of us.  The South Loop just doesn't have the population density of other neighborhoods. Plus, it is still perceived as "scary" by some who live north of us so they don't visit for eating, drinking, or shopping.  Even more-so in 2011 than in 2015.

We were, are, and will be willing to fight this uphill battle because we believe the long term benefit will be worth it.  We envision that, if we put in the effort at the beginning when small businesses around us was somewhat scarce, we'd become a neighborhood institution.  Even if lots of competition opened up later, we hope we'll be so ingrained in the South Loop that no one could compete with our South Loop neighborhoodliness.  Besides, the more direct trade coffee being consumed the better!

Did we accomplish this vision?  Hard to tell.  But I think that, if we were gone, we'd be missed by lots of folks.

So, what got us through the past 4 years?  In a word, perseverance.  Even when the going got tough, we pushed through.  We tightened our belts.  We put in long hours.  We never gave up or backed down.  We went through the pits of despair and kept our hope alive.  We won't bore you with all the details but I can tell you I wouldn't want to live through it again.  I would add that we didn't persevere alone.  There were lots of friends, family, loyal customers who stood with us and helped us when we couldn't keep going on our own.

What's next? We're close to becoming profitable and then the sky is the limit.  We've got some great ideas along the lines of Placemaking, a real South Loop Chamber of Commerce, franchising, and further mentoring/coaching of others who want to start coffee shops of their own.  There's still a lot of slavery in the world as people produce coffee, clothing, flowers, sugar, etc.  There is still lots of work to do and we're not giving up anytime soon.  Face it.  You're stuck with us.  :-)

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A Story of a Lady Who Is Embodying Overflow's Mission

If you've been around us or at Overflow in the past 18 months, and especially the last 6, you might recognize this lady. 

This woman's name is Mary Ayres.  She is Amanda's mom.  She's had a rough journey over the past 3 years.  She retired 3½ years ago.  Then, in February 2012 (shortly before Overflow's 1st birthday), she had a stroke that has left her with aphasia, an acquired language disorder caused by damage to the brain, in her case the stroke. Aphasia makes Mary have extreme difficulty remembering words and she has lost most of her ability to speak, read, and write.  She is still very intelligent but has issues with communicating - both sharing her thoughts and understanding what others are trying to share. 

Due to Mary's stroke, she and Virgil, Amanda's dad, moved to Chicago in August 2013.  They made the move so that Amanda could pay their bills, file their taxes, communicate with their doctors, and an increasing number of things they couldn't do for themselves as they got older.

Then the unexpected happened.  In June of last year (2014), Mary lost her husband of 34 years.  Now we are totally responsible for caring for Mary for the 20 plus years of life she has left to enjoy.  And how, you ask, are we helping her get the most out of life when she is disabled by aphasia???

This is where Overflow and Mary intersect!  Instead of staying home alone doing practically nothing while we work long hours, Mary spends 4 days a week at Overflow (that leaves 2 days to be home alone, and 1 family day where none of us work).

Since Mary is hanging out, she has started to build relationships with some of Overflow's customers. 

• On Monday mornings, a group of women about the same age as her have invited her to be part of their women's group.  She can't say much but she really likes to feel included and involved in their lives.  
• On Thursdays, a group of parents from the school in our building have invited Mary to join their prayer group.  They pray together for the kids, teachers, staff, parents, and anything else that comes to mind.  
• On Saturdays, Mary also joined a Zumba class and helps greet the women as they arrive.  They all love to see her smiling face at 8am on a Saturday morning.  They've started to call her the Zumba mascot.  

When she first moved to Chicago, we were the only people she knew.  Now she has a community of people and her need to feel like she belongs is met. Moreover, she helps meet other people's need to belong.  She's embodying Overflow's practice of community building!

But wait, there's more...

Mary loves chocolate and tea.  If she could, that's all she'd eat and drink.  But, as we've shared with her about child labor in the chocolate industry (we dare you to Google "child labor and chocolate" and see what you discover), she's reduced how much chocolate she eats.  She understands that children should be in school, not in the cocoa field working from sun-up to sundown.  So she's more careful in her chocolate consumption.  Plus, she's started to consume fair trade tea as a way to make sure tea growers receive a fair wage.  We can't get her to drink coffee (yet) but she's definitely thinking more and more about the stories behind the things she buys.  She's embodying Overflow's practice of ethical economics!

This is just one story of one person and the impact we have as a community.  It just happens to be the one closest to us.  We see what's happening with Mary and we think, "Yes!  We really are changing the world one life at a time."

Support our mission to change the world one cup at a time through building community and ethical economics!  

Visit our online store to shop or give a gift. 

This Month at Overflow! 5.2014

Presented by Overflow

27 - Buyer Be Fair Documentary Film Screening & Discussion @ 7pm - More info here.

Presented by Daystar Center

10 - Chicago Solo Theatre @ 7:30pm - More info here.

13 - Chicago Film Club screens Hitchcock's Rebecca @ 6:30pm - More info here.

15 & 17 - Jazz Vocalist (& South Loop Resident) Sabina & Visual Artists Jeremy & Jordan @ 7pm - More info here.

Other Community Activities

12 - South Loop Toastmasters Meeting @ 6:15pm - More info here.

17 - Greater South Loop Association Community Meeting @ 9am - More info here.

Announcing: CSA at Overflow!

We're partnering with Nichols Farm & Orchard in Marengo, Illinois to bring you fresh, local fruits and vegetables this summer and fall.  

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  It's about relationship.  You get local, fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables while building a relationship with a local farmer (in this case the Nichols family).  

You can sign up online and then pick up your food here at Overflow.  Easy, convenient, and affordable.

Read more and see pick-up dates and locations here.

Full disclosure: Overflow is not getting paid to host this CSA. We might receive a box of fruits and veggies to split among the staff. People who come to pick up their food might make a purchase from Overflow. We're not sure what might happen. Primarily, we're doing this because it's the right thing to do.

This Month at Overflow 1.2014

Craft Kickoff with Traffick Free - Jan 11 @ 2:00pm - kickoff National Human Trafficking Awareness Month with a craft and hot cocoa!

Chicago Solo Theatre "Solo Saturdays" - Jan 11 @ 7:30pm - laugh till you cry with this part stand-up, part storytelling, part monologue, all truth!

The Awful Truth Classic Film Club Screening and Discussion - Jan 14 @ 6:30pm - an absolute gem

Greater South Loop Association Community Updates - Jan25 @ 9:00am - find out what's up in the neighborhood

Camp Kupugani Fest - Jan 25 @ 4:00pm - learn about a cool place for your kid to visit this summer

The Wisdom to Survive Documentary Screening and Discussion - Jan 28 @ 7:00pm - learn about and discuss climate change, capitalism, and community

Did you know?

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

Our friends at Traffick Free are hosting a month long series of events.

Labor trafficking is one of the forms of human trafficking and something we're pretty passionate about.  Direct and fair trade are two of the efforts to end labor trafficking and the exploitation of workers, adult and child around the world.  That's why we use direct trade and fair trade products as much as possible.


How can you celebrate this month?

• Consider going to Traffick Free's Craft Kickoff here at Overflow to learn more about trafficking in Chicagoland.

• Consider learning more about where the stuff you buy comes from.  You can read more about that topic here.

• Continue to change the world one cup at a time here at Overflow.  Every purchase matters!

Five things you can do to help END SLAVERY

On Wednesday, I attended a hearing at City Hall where citizens passionate about ending human trafficking in Chicago told the city council what they should do to help join the fight.  If you want a recap I live Tweeted from City Hall so you can check out https://twitter.com/overflowcoffee and scroll down to Wednesday, June 10 at 10am.

I thought you might like to know a few things YOU can do.  I'm listing 5 because there's a 5k coming up (see #1).  Pick at least 1 and try it out.

1. Walk/Jog/Run with Team Overflow in the Traffick Free 5k Run Against Traffick on September 7.  Ask your barista for the details on how to sign up with our team.

2. Purchase slave-free products (like many of Overflow’s offerings).  Check out your favorite brands at www.free2work.org and see how they measure up.

3. Donate to Traffick Free (traffickfree.org) or another organization working  to abolish modern day slavery.  Every little bit goes a long way.

4. Add the Human Trafficking Hotline to your contacts on your smartphone.  The number is 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).  

5. Strategize with others about what we can do as a community at our next film screening.

We’ll show Nefarious on August 27 at 7pm.  More details coming soon. 

Possibly actions we’ll discuss on August 27:

- starting an ongoing discussion group

- ways we can help create more housing for survivors

- developing more action steps regular people can take to end modern day slavery

- how to connect the abolitionist movement with other social justice issues

This Month at Overflow!

Here are some events we're hosting this month.  Hope you can attend to build community, to appreciate art, and to find ways to change the world.

• Saturday, February 2 - Open Mic 6pm (sign ups start @5:30)
• Saturday, February 2 - AIM High Interest Meeting @ 10:30am
• Tuesday, February 19 - The United States of ALEC Film Screening @ 7pm (in partnership with Common Cause)

In our building but hosted by others:

• 1st and 3rd Mondays -  Toastmasters @ 6pm
• Tuesday, February 12 - This Gun for Hire Film Screening (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 6:30pm
• Saturday, February 16 - Something to Talk About: Songshop Exposed (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 8pm

This Month at Overflow!

2013 is off and running... Here are some events we're hosting this month.  Hope you can attend to build community, to appreciate art, and to find ways to give back.

• Saturday, January 5 - Open Mic and More! @6pm (sign ups start at 5:30pm)
• Monday, January 7 - AIM High Interest Meeting @ 7pm
• Tuesday, January 22 - The Economics of Happiness Film Screening @ 7pm
• Friday, January 25 - Meet the Artist of the Month Art Opening @ 6pm (more details coming soon)

In our building but hosted by others:

• Tuesday, January 8 through Saturday, January 12 - FREE Yoga and Zumba Classes (hosted by Daystar Center)
• Friday, January 11 - Sex + Money Film Screening (hosted by Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation) @ 7pm
• Saturday, January 19 - Sons of the Never Wrong Concert (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 8pm

This Month @ Overflow!

Happy Holidays!  As you're preparing and celebrating, here's some events and reminders to keep in mind and plan for.  Click on the name of each item for more information.

• Deals of the week - We're having a different deal each week for the rest of the year.  Look for it when you stop by for coffee, breakfast or lunch.  We've got a bunch of gift ideas ready for you and more to come! Check out our gift ideas here.
• Holiday hours
• Saturday, December 22 - 8am to 4pm
• Sunday, December 23 - 8am to 4pm
• Monday, December 24 - 7am to 3pm
• Tuesday, December 25 through Tuesday, January 1 - CLOSED
• Wednesday, January 2 - Reopen @ 7am and resume normal hours
• Saturday, January 5 - Open Mic and More! @6pm (sign ups start at 5:30pm)

Also, in our building but sponsored by other groups are the following...

• Every Sunday - Stories of Ordinary People who Encounter the Extraordinary (hosted by Vineyard South Loop) @ 6:30pm
• Thursday, December 13 - Film Club screens Some Like it Hot (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 7pm
• Saturday, December 15 - Two for Brazil Concert (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 8pm

Other community events you might be interested in...

• Tuesday, December 11 - Greater South Loop Association's Annual Holiday Party

2013 Membership Cards Now Available!

This plastic, wallet-sized 2013 Membership Card costs $50.00. It gets you 10% off everything you purchase from Overflow Coffee Bar - including food, drinks, beans, t-shirts, and more! It even works on fair trade items from Ten Thousand Villages.  The only thing it doesn't work on is catering orders since those are already discounted. The savings starts immediately when you purchase the card and ends December 31, 2013. Only a limited number are available. Get yours before they run out! 

If you spend $10 a week or more on average at Overflow, this card will pay for itself and then some over the course of the year.  $10 is the equivalent of a small coffee each day Monday through Friday or a sandwich and latte on the weekend.  It's also great for those who purchase coffee for brewing at home!

NEW!  Members get VIP seating at monthly documentary film screenings!  Check out upcoming screenings at http://overflowcoffeebar.eventbrite.com.

May Your Holidays Overflow!

Some things to keep in mind for the holidays:

• Get a head start with Gift Cards! Put $10 on an Overflow gift card and get a free cup of coffee. Put $20 on one and get a free latte. For a limited time only. Ask for details when you come in. 
• Black Friday Sale! We'll be open from 7am to 3pm on Friday, November 23 (the day after Thanksgiving) and all products from Ten Thousand Villages will be 10% off all day long. Add some fair trade to your holidays. 
• Small Business Saturday Sale!  We'll be open our normal hours (8am to 6pm) and when you spend $25 and mention this blog post, we'll give you a free drink of your choice.  Shop local this holiday season.
• We've got a bunch of gift ideas ready for you and more to come! Check out our gift ideas here.

Heard of Giving Tuesday??? Check it out.

This Month at Overflow!

There's not as much going on in November as in other months but still lots of drinking hot beverages and having a warm place to study or work.  Click on the name of each item for more information.

• Saturday, November 3 - Open Mic and More! @6pm (sign ups start at 5:30pm)
• Thursday, November 22 - Closed for Thanksgiving.
• Friday, November 23 - Black Friday Sale - We'll be open from 7am to 3pm and all products from Ten Thousand Villages will be 10% off all day long.  Add some fair trade to your holidays.
• Thursday, November 29 - Father of Lights Film Screening @ 7pm
• Saturday, December 1 - Open Mic and More! Holiday Edition @6pm (sign ups start at 5:30pm)

Also, in our building but sponsored by other groups are the following...

• Every Sunday - You Can Hear God (hosted by Vineyard South Loop) @ 6:30pm
• Thursday, November 8 - Film Club screens His Girl Friday (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 7pm
• The film club doubles as the Greater South Loop's Neighbors Night Out
• Saturday, November 17 - State of the South Loop (hosted by the Greater South Loop Association) @ 9am

Here are a couple community events you might be interested in...

• Tuesday, November 6 - Vote!
• Tuesday, November 20 - Public Meeting for Fred Anderson Park (hosted by Alderman Fioretti) at the 1st District Police Station @ 6pm.  The park will be located just south of 16th Street on Wabash.

Fair Trade 101

What Is Fair Trade?

Fair trade is a lot of things: a social justice movement, an alternative business model, a system of global commerce, a tool for international development, a faith-based activity.  Fair trade’s many definitions center
around the
exchange of
goods based
on principles of economic and social justice.

10 Principles of Fair Trade

1. Create Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers - Fair trade is trade that reduces poverty by supporting marginalized small producers.  Fair trade seeks to enable these producers to be economically self-sufficient.

2. Transparency and Accountability - Fair trade assures relevant information is provided to all trading partners through open communication at all levels of the supply chain. Fair trade finds appropriate, participatory ways to involve trading partners in decision-making.

3.  Fair Trading Practices - Fair trade is concerned for the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of producers and does not maximize profit at their expense.  Fair trade builds long-term relationships based on solidarity, trust and mutual respect.

4.  Payment of a Fair Price - Fair pay means provision of socially and locally acceptable remuneration.  A fair price is mutually agreed upon and provides fair pay to the producers and is sustainable by the market. Any fair trade pricing structures are used as a minimum.

5.  Ensuring no Child Labor or Forced Labor - Fair trade ensures that no forced labor is used in production and that United Nations’ guidelines and national and local laws are followed when children are employed.  Any involvement of children (including learning a traditional art) does not adversely affect the children's wellbeing, security, educational requirements or need for play.

6.  Commitment to Non Discrimination, Gender Equity and Freedom of Association - Fair trade does not discriminate in hiring, remuneration, accessto training, promotion, termination or retirement. Fair trade respects the right of all employees to form and join trade unions of their choice and to bargain collectively.

7.  Ensuring Good Working Conditions - Fair trade provides a safe and healthy working environment for employees and members. It complies, at a minimum, with national and local laws and ILO conventions.

8.  Providing Capacity Building - Fair trade seeks to increase positive developmental impacts for small, marginalized producers.  Those working directly with small producers develop specific activities to help these producers improve their management skills, production capabilities and access to markets.

9.  Promoting Fair Trade - Those connected with fair trade raise awareness of the aims of fair trade and of the need for greater justice in world trade.

10. Respect for the Environment - Those who create fair trade products maximize the use of raw materials and energy-saving technologies. Buyers and importers of fair trade products give priority to buying products made from raw materials that originate from sustainably managed sources and have the least overall impact on the environment.

How does Fair Trade Impact Me?

Fair Trade connects you with other cultures.  Fair Trade products are unique to the places they come from and the people who make them. Farmers and artisans are involved in the entire process, and Fair Trade products reflect the people and cultures they come from.  When you purchase a fair trade product you get an added bonus with the item - you get the pride that comes from knowing you made a real difference in a real person's life.

There’s an App for That

Learn how your favorite brands relate to fair trade by downloading the “Free2Work” app in your app store.  When you’re shopping, you can use the app to see a brand’s forced and child labor grade.

Adapted from Fair Trade Resource Network, (FTRN.org) and the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO.org).