Hays coffee house brews up conversation and community

HAYS, Kan. (KSNW) – Caffeine provides a burst of energy. Breathe Coffee House wants its cups to slow you down.

“I don’t want you to go and get in your car. I want you to sit down with a nice hot 16-ounce cup of coffee or 12-ounce cup of coffee and enjoy it with another human being,” said Patrick McGinnis, owner of Breathe Coffee House and Dialogue Ministries.

McGinnis created the nonprofit to help people connect to tackle a major epidemic.

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“There’s a mental health crisis in western Kansas,” McGinnis said. “We have suicide rates that are going crazy. We have anxiety and depression rates that are outlandish.”

With each mug as unique as its guests, the Hays coffee house welcomes everyone.

“Feel comfortable stepping in here, no matter where they’re at, whatever their background is, whatever their faith background is, whatever their political background,” he said.

It wants people to take a seat and let the conversation flow.

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“We actually can empathize with each other. We can feel what one another feels, even if we don’t agree with each other. We can still feel what one another feels, and it’s really important for the human condition to be able to do that,” he said.

Every Thursday at 7 p.m., Breathe hosts “Can we just talk?” It facilitates small group conversations surrounding topics that are difficult to open up about.

Breathe is turning a simple cup of coffee into a community.

You can support Breathe Coffee House by joining its “Coffee Club.” It helps fund their outreach projects.

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