What normally comes to mind when we think about the word “coffee”? We immediately think of famous drink chains; many of their stores surround us, UC Davis students. Is there anything else, though? What about any tinier, but blooming organizations that are nearby? I know first-hand that these exist and deserve to be acknowledged more in our community.
I would love to introduce Purple Tree Cafe: a small nonprofit that offers a variety of coffee, tea and delectable pastries. Some fantastic and unique drinks and treats they sell include, but are not limited to, Purple Tree Lattes (brewed from a crafted, herbal tea blend), Greek-style frappes, coconut macaroons, almond biscotti and chocolate chip peanut butter cookies. The coffee chain is located in both the Davis Farmer’s Market and the UC Davis Mind Institute in Sacramento.
Although Purple Tree is relatively niche right now, don’t confuse this with a lack of might. Not only does it cultivate a home for its team, where the majority of leadership, staff and volunteers identify as neurodivergent themselves, but their mission is to support employment for people with disabilities. This is something that many businesses, even with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) standards, fail to provide.
Purple Tree is a shining beam of hope for neurodivergent individuals, such as myself. In simple terms, there aren’t enough spaces designed for us to succeed, and so Purple Tree strives to fix this gap. The coffee chain achieves this goal by collecting monetary donations from customers, educating its employees about saving accounts and retirement funds and collaborating with similar-minded businesses to hold events and fundraisers in venues such as the Delta Venus restaurant in Downtown Davis.Â
After actively volunteering for Purple Tree since October 2025, I have learned to remain unapologetically myself rather than being embarrassed by my ADHD.
Growing up, I’ve always felt different. Later in my life, after receiving an ADHD diagnosis as a late teenager, I grew to be conscious of my image and public perception. I hated not being the “typical” person, and over time, I became emptier inside, not knowing anyone else who could understand my mental roadblocks and insecurities.
It wasn’t until I joined Purple Tree that I became more comfortable with my natural self, forming friendships with others who could relate to my personal experiences. I no longer feel afraid of working at a slower pace or not comprehending verbal instructions properly. Being gently corrected by my supervisors frequently motivated me to reach my full potential as a team member of Purple Tree; I am constantly learning hard work, patience and adaptability.
Beyond these useful skills, Purple Tree gave me a reason to continue serving there throughout my college journey: their empathetic, uniting mission shows in the work. Purple Tree views disability as part of being human, allowing community involvement to be more personally accessible. This organization bridges the gap between neurodivergent and neurotypical to raise awareness and friendly interactions.
It does not matter if you are a Purple Tree staff member, affiliate, or a customer; you are always accepted with open arms as part of this family :)