Hopkinsville’s Coffee Connection provides sanctuary for community

The founder of Coffee Connection in Hopkinsville had a simple desire to bring the community together over a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – If you’ve ever been to downtown Hopkinsville, you are most likely familiar with Coffee Connection at 910 South Main Street. When you enter the building, you will be greeted by Terri Henderson, a former detective with the Christian County Sheriff’s Department, sitting by the front door and large windows.

Henderson, the founder of Coffee Connection had a simple desire to bring the community together over a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Her faith helped her take the steps to make that idea a reality.

“God has things for us to do and he gives all of us special gifts and talents,” Henderson said.

It took her three years from being an idea to opening the doors of Coffee Connection and it quickly became a sanctuary for the city’s marginalized, lost, and hurting to find smiling faces and be treated with humanity.

“People grow up sometimes and they’ve been told they’re going to be worthless all their life and that they are worthless,” Henderson said, “We encourage everybody and tell them that they have worth and value, and I intend to do that as long as God wants me to do this.”

Their mission

Privately funded by herself and her husband Don, the coffee shop has been open nearly 13 years and has attracted volunteers from all walks of life to help out. They have even expanded to include a community closet where patrons can get clothing and other necessities that were donated by the community free of charge.

“So, most of the people that come in here know that this is a safe place and they come in here and intermingle with each other, and try to be on the best behavior that they could because they know Miss Terri is not going for none of that stuff,” said Lazarus McDonald, a patron of Coffee Connection since 2013.

Since they have been open, there have been times when a visitor has become unruly and Henderson had to step in to protect her patrons.

“We have pretty strict rules and it works pretty good,” said Chelsey Walker, Henderson’s personal assistant, “Most of the people follow those rules and they’ve been coming here for years.”

Overcoming criticism

Due to the nature of the clientele, Coffee Connection has attracted negative criticism from some members of the community; even being cited as the reason Fred Atkins Park has been locked.

In October of last year, Henderson and her husband received a letter from the mayor’s office stating that her patrons led to the closing of adjoining Fred Atkins Park which was constructed 8 years after the opening of Coffee Connection. Henderson was told that it was her patrons leaving alcohol, needles, and other drug paraphernalia in the park causing the people of Hopkinsville to be prevented from using a community asset.

The letter, dated October 2, 2023 states: “The constituents of the Coffee Connection have made it completely impossible for residents to relax and/or feel safe in that space. Therefore, I made the decision to indefinitely close the park until significant changes are made.”

Henderson says that she has not witnessed any egregious or unlawful activities by her patrons in Fred Atkins Park which is run by Community Development Services.

“I have control over what goes on in here. I have none when they go outside,” Henderson said, “All I know is everyone has a right, unless you’re creating chaos, you have a right to be in the city and walking wherever you want to go.”

Members of the city council that she spoke to after receiving the letter stated that they had no idea the letter was written. While the letter highlights the complexities of community dynamics, Henderson remains committed to keeping Coffee Connection as a safe place where people can find compassion and a sense of community.

“There are just people that seem to be misfits and they can’t find a place when they come into Hopkinsville,” Henderson said, “We’re going to make sure they are treated fairly and kindly. Maybe I’m the biggest misfit of all, I just seem to fit right in with everybody.”