Good Coffee Doing Good is a project-based initiative in which we partner with impact-focused enterprises both local and global and is fueled by our Golden Rule Espresso Blend.
Through the sales of Golden Rule, we will be raising funds for some meaningful organisations and projects, donating $4 for each kilo sold across our retail and wholesale operations. Click here to shop the coffee!
We were lucky enough to sit down with Dewi Cooke, the CEO of The Social Studio, to chat about the recent launch of our GCDG Partnership. Continue reading to find out more about The Social Studio, its impact in the community, and how we're contributing to their incredible goal.
Image courtesy of The Social Studio. Photographer Benjamin Thompson.
Q. The Social Studio began in 2009 and seems like it will be around for years to come. What was the catalyst that brought TSS into existence and why has it persisted for so long?
D. The Social Studio was established by a group of likeminded creatives, academics and community workers with an idea to use fashion and the arts as a way to create meaningful and long-term pathways into employment for people from a refugee or migrant background. The Studio has always taken a strengths-based approach in its work and we believe strongly in the inherent abilities and capacity of every person we work with. In some ways, this is probably what has led to our longevity and success: we aim to meet our students wherever they are in their creative journeys and offer them the support needed to achieve their goals.
Q. 800 students in just over a decade is a remarkable number. What does that mean to you as an educator?
D. It's a wonderful thing to reflect on the number of people the Studio has been able to work with over the years. Much of what we do takes time and lots of support so the fact we have been able to work with so many people over more than a decade is really exciting.
Q. Good Coffee Doing Good is focussed on impact in our community. How will our donation impact The Social Studio?
D. Even though we are a not-for-profit social enterprise, our school and broader education and training programs really rely on fundraising and philanthropic support to keep going. Padre Coffee's donations will be funnelled into the operations of our school and student pathways program, which provides wraparound support to students to keep them engaged with their studies and helps them plan for their futures beyond TSS. From things like assisting with CV writing to buying pattern making paper and other dressmaking supplies, the support of the Good Coffee Doing Good initiative will have a significant impact.
Q. The Social Studio doesn't only offer practical skills to land work, it also offers formal qualifications. Can you talk about some cases where these qualifications have led to life-changing results for past students?
D. We offer a Cert III in clothing and textile production, which is an industry-level course that prepares students for work in the garment industry. Over the years we've seen our students work in some great Australian brands like Nobody Denim, start their own fashion labels and successful businesses or even take a more leftfield path into fields such as banking, science or international affairs. The point is that we aim to be a place where people who are new to Australia can build their confidence and lay out a path to success for themselves, however 'success' is defined for them.
Image courtesy of The Social Studio. Photographer Benjamin Thompson.
How you can get involved
If you’re a specialty coffee lover, you’re in luck. You can contribute to The Social Studio by purchasing a bag of Golden Rule! You can also follow updates of our partnership with The Social Studio on social media.
Visit The Social Studio website.
If you’re keen to learn more about The Social Studio, you can visit their website. Under the “Get Involved” tab, you’ll find the many ways you can contribute to the organisation!
Padre Coffee acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continued connections to land, sea and community.
We pay our respect to Elders past, present and future, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
