In this heartfelt episode of Homes Built With Love, host Vicky Devocht, Executive Director of Home Suite Home Affordable Housing, sits down with Christy from To Bean or Not to Bean — Stratford’s family-owned artisan coffee roaster with a big heart for community.
What starts as a conversation about coffee quickly becomes something deeper — a story of how small businesses, when guided by compassion, can help transform lives. Christy shares how she and her husband Blair turned a simple love of freshly roasted beans into a local movement for good. From raising over $25,000 for community causes to partnering with Home Suite Home Affordable Housing, their shop is proof that kindness can be brewed right alongside your morning cup.
Through warmth and honesty, Christy talks about the moment she realized homelessness wasn’t just a distant problem — it was happening in her own backyard. A late-night break-in at their shop revealed a nearby encampment, and with it, a shift in perspective. Her neighbours came together to help cover a small loss, but Christy couldn’t shake the thought: if a community can rally that quickly to fix a door, what could we do for those who have no door at all?
The episode explores questions that matter to all of us:
Vicky and Christy reflect on the growing housing crisis in Stratford and across Canada — and how Home Suite Home Affordable Housing is responding through compassion in action. With every tiny home built, every volunteer who shows up, and every cup of “Homes Built With Love” coffee brewed, they are proving that communities don’t have to wait for change — they can be the change.
About To Bean or Not to Bean:
Located at 8-285 Lorne Avenue East in Stratford, Ontario, Christy and Blair’s roastery is built on ethical sourcing, sustainability, and community spirit. Their beans are roasted fresh, their packaging compostable, and their impact far-reaching. Each bag sold supports fair wages for farmers and funds local initiatives that make life better for people close to home.
About Home Suite Home Affordable Housing:
A registered Canadian charity, Home Suite Home builds pocket-sized, purpose-built rental homes for people facing hidden homelessness — those living in cars, couch surfing, or struggling to afford a safe place to live. Each home is built through community support and volunteer power, offering not just a roof, but dignity, belonging, and hope.
Support the Mission:
You can help build homes through every purchase. Visit the Hope Essentials Store on our website to buy our special coffee blends — roasted in partnership with To Bean or Not to Bean. Choose our medium-dark roast “Home Suite Home” blend, available by the bag or in donation bundles of five or ten to gift family, friends, or coworkers. You’ll also find t-shirts, mugs, and other essentials that support those experiencing homelessness.
Join the Movement:
As Vicky says in this episode:
“Every home we build is proof that when a community comes together, we can move mountains. We’re not just building homes — we’re building hope.”
Listen, share, and be inspired — because sometimes, all it takes to change a life is one small act of love… and one really good cup of coffee.
