From hallways to Habitat: Students brew up big wins with Bean Boutique

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) marketing interns continue to prove age doesn’t determine impact.

In December 2024, the three high school sophomores opened their in-school iced-coffee fundraising endeavor “Bean Boutique,” which donates its proceeds to Habitat. As of June 1, their efforts brewed up $1,200. Now, the boys are faced with a new challenge: raise a minimum of $1,500 to qualify for a matching grant from State Farm and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity Marketing Intern Nate Shlosser prepares a cup of iced coffee at Bean Boutique.

“Watching three 15-year-old boys build something like Bean Boutique from the ground up is truly inspiring,” said Jill Brewer, Springdale Education Center (SEC) director. “They didn’t just create a coffee shop, they created a space that brings people together, teaches real-life skills, and makes a difference in the community. Their passion, drive, and heart have turned a simple idea into something powerful.”

The grant, in collaboration with HFHI, encourages youth leaders to engage in community projects that support local affordable housing efforts. The State Farm Youth Matching Grant program officially kicked off June 15, but funds submitted to Greater Springfield Habitat as early as June 1 can be counted toward the grant. By May 31, 2026, the students need to raise a minimum of $1,500 to receive $2,000 from State Farm. The students have already raised 26% of their minimum goal. All of their earnings will go toward supporting GSHFH’s homeownership and home preservation programs.

The interns and SEC young adult teacher Trina Winans have discussed ways to raise more funds for Habitat, and the team ultimately decided to expand their menu. Bean Boutique now also offers lemonade, iced tea, and popsicles.

“Popsicles are a big hit. The staff had already been asking for them,” said Trina. “Our school community strongly supports Bean Boutique and has really rallied behind it. They enjoy supporting the students through this opportunity.”

To keep track of the progress and create excitement within the school, Chicopee’s SEC and the neighboring Center for School Crisis Intervention and Assessment, the interns created a fundraising thermometer and will design and post social media messaging throughout the year.

The idea of iced coffee shop came from Dakota Wirf in summer 2024. He and his peer, Nate Shlosser, had interned at Greater Springfield Habitat during their freshman year to promote a Hampden County-wide read-a-thon fundraiser. Following the read-a-thon, the boys planned and attended a wrap-up party. Dakota then presented the idea to Jill, who approved the concept.

“It was a hot summer day and I was outside at Habitat with Nate and just asked ‘Why don’t we sell iced coffee?’” said Dakota. “At school, we saw staff with coffee and they had to go to Dunkin’ to get it. But, if they got coffee at work, they could step out for a minute and still help Habitat.

“I think this grant is wonderful,” Dakota said. “I think it’s great that Habitat will get more money to take care of more people.”

Dakota, Nate, and new intern Yandel Alameda, returned to Habitat at the start of their sophomore year to flesh out their idea. They created the name “Bean Boutique” and a marketing guide – including logo, branding colors and fonts – and a plan to get the word out. They designed flyers to be distributed in the school, drafted morning announcement messages to be read over the intercom, plus budgeted and shopped for supplies. Bean Boutique opened it doors to teachers and administrative staff at the Chicopee school just before Christmas.

“We loved the proposal and the enthusiasm the students had for the project,” said GSHFH Executive Director Aimee Giroux.

To donate to Bean Boutique, text “COFFEE413” to 44-321 and follow the prompts, or go to bit.ly/45Q0Ecb