Lasalle Secondary School student places first in CPA Ontario Video Contest

If you were a social entrepreneur, and had $1,000, what would your business be?

When Sumer Joy Andres was challenged to create a video to showcase her idea, she began brewing Coffee4 2, an innovative start-up with a blend of care and compassion.

For her efforts, the Lasalle Secondary School student garnered first place in the CPA Ontario Video Showcase, taking home $750 and another $250 for her school’s business department.

Submissions to the video contest were part of a culminating project in the Grade 11 accounting class led by teacher Linda Bozzato.

The province-wide contest gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their originality and creativity through 60 to 90 second videos on how social entrepreneurs use innovation and management to create businesses and address social challenges.

In Coffee4 2, Sumer Joy Andres drew on statistics to drive her plan – 72 per cent of Canadians, ages 16 to 79, drink coffee, and the average Canadian adult drinks 2.8 cups of coffee per day.

“So I thought what if their love for coffee helped the homeless have their own cups of coffee in the morning or on a cold winter day?” she said. “That is where Coffee4 2 turned my ‘what if’s’ into reality.”

Her business model was simple – for every coffee purchased at $2, one dollar would support the business and the other dollar would support the homeless “providing a cup of warmth for everyone.”

“We are so proud of Sumer Joy for her socially conscious proposal,” said Principal Maureen McNamara. “Coffee4 2 reminds us that small actions can make a big difference.”

Watch Sumer Joy’s video here: https://youtu.be/P2YEl2J-p_M

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Media Contact:
Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217