Create Opportunities, Connect Communities

More than 30 companies, including Starbucks, conducted more than 1,700 interviews with those ages 16 to 24 and who aren’t in school and aren’t working. Some were offered jobs on the spot.

The director of social impact for U.S. operations was named this week by Fast Company as one of the “Most Creative People in Business."

Isamar Campos and her mother, Maria, attended the Opportunity Youth Fair and Forum in Los Angeles last year. The event was life changing for both as they were hired as Starbucks baristas. 

The Starbucks store in Ferguson, Mo., has successfully created a model for more stores in underserved communities.

“Taking people in to train them for jobs, customer service skills and how to operate a business will be great for Baltimore,” said Sandra McNeil.

“I think Starbucks brings hope to the whole community and it can bridge the old and the new," said Keshia Thomas, Starbucks store manager.

Opened one year ago, a Starbucks in Jamaica, Queens, has had an impact on its community – from the young people enrolled in the onsite job skills training programs to those hired at the store.

Starbucks initiative to support local economic development in lower income communities expands with the groundbreaking of a new store in the Five Points West district of Birmingham, Alabama.

One year ago, many young adults left an Opportunity Youth Fair and Forum in Phoenix with job offers from Starbucks. Prisma Paredes is among the partners who say they've received something even more vital and far-reaching than a job.  

Despite problems, they see potential. Partners (employees) are optimistic that new development from Starbucks and other businesses will lead to a brighter future in the community they still call “home.”

"There is in fact a long-term movement underway to revitalize these neighborhoods and return the story to one of hope, resilience and progress,” said Rodney Hines, director for community investments for Starbucks U.S. Retail Operations.

“I enjoy baking, but that’s not the reason that I get up every day. There are a lot of things taking place in Chicago that I would like to help change,” said Rachel Bernier-Green, owner of ‘Laine’s Bake Shop.

“The initial idea was thinking about a huge wall on which the same image was repeated, but each version was unique in its own way, said David Anthony Geary, referring to his "men-in-suits" abstract featured in the new South Side Starbucks.

Starbucks partners recruited through the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative demonstrate a strong sense of community and a commitment to customer service.

The Starbucks at 7th Avenue and Camelback Road in Phoenix, is one of only three locations in the U.S. with an in-store training center. Meet the baristas and managers at this store.

“We believe opportunity youth are the future of America’s workforce and simply need a chance to demonstrate their potential,” said John Kelly, Starbucks svp of Global Responsibility, Community and Public Policy.

More than half of the young people who interviewed with Starbucks and other top employers, during a 100,000 Opportunities Initiative hiring fair in Seattle, received on-the-spot job offers. 

“I was surprised by how open he was to me,” said Davontia Porter. “I felt comfortable for the first time in an interview, like I’m not being judged. Like I belong.”

In a continuing effort to connect these young people with meaningful jobs and career paths, the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative brought its national youth hiring movement to Seattle.

Starbucks, along with its regional partner Taste Holdings, prepare dozens of young South Africans for employment through an innovative training program.

“Hope is in the air. We’re a resilient community. Standing up against that wall, we came out stronger than ever," said Natalie DuBose, owner of Natalie's Cakes & More in Ferguson, Missouri.

That’s what Cordell Lewis told us as we talked about growing up in Missouri, his new career with Starbucks, and how he’ll coach the partners he hired for of Starbucks first store in Ferguson.

The baristas and managers of Starbucks new Ferguson store range in age from 16 to 37 and they’ve been with the company from just a few months to more than 14 years. Read their bios and see their photos.

Most people who've heard of Ferguson, Missouri, have an image of the community that came from media reports during unrest there 20 months ago. But there's more to Ferguson, including a new Starbucks store.

For hundreds of Starbucks volunteers, offering hospitality is a priority.

Starbucks baristas and store managers are mentoring young people in cities around the world this month, with an estimated 40,000 partners participating in Starbucks Global Month of Service. 

“During weekdays, it was mostly Starbucks partners who came to volunteer,” said Maisha Barnett, founder of the Powell Barnett Legacy Project. “They did most of the major work."

“I’ve created some really good memories by running myself and having my fundraiser by Starbucks at the finish line,” said Heather Abbott. “I have a lot to look forward to, so I don’t cringe when I think about going back there.”

With millions of refugees fleeing conflicts in Syria and seeking safety across Central and Western Europe, Starbucks is using the scale of its digital platforms to raise funds for crisis relief organizations.

“A great first job can truly open up a pathway to lifelong opportunity for a young person,” said Howard Schultz. “Starbucks is proud to partner with the community in Seattle to connect Opportunity Youth with a pathway to their first job."

“Throughout Starbucks 45 years, we’ve challenged ourselves to help create opportunities for our partners and the communities we serve,” said Rodney Hines. 

“What truly embodies the spirit of our company is courage and passion – courage and passion to improve the lot of others and to not be a bystander.” 

“The Community Store at Langsuan reflects our commitment to creating positive changes in our community, and sustaining local coffee and farming communities,” said Murray Darling, managing director, Starbucks Coffee Thailand.

They range in age from 16 to 36 and they’ve been with Starbucks from a just a few weeks to 18 years. Their ultimate career goals include becoming a police detective, a firefighter, a teacher, and leaders at Starbucks.

“I know there are people in Jamaica right now who don’t feel like they have options or hope. I’m here, and Starbucks is here, to say – you do," said Alisha Wrencher, Starbucks store manager.

“Starbucks volunteers review the files and answer some questions that will help us determine if we keep reviewing or gather additional information or close the file,” said Fernanda Torres of Innocence Project Northwest.

Genuine connections between baristas and customers happen every day in Starbucks stores around the world. One of those moments of connection filled social media and news sites this week. 

Aaron Swift returned from an emotional four-day journey in Rwanda with one goal in mind: “I wanted to find a way to help Rwandan farmers and educate my peers at the same time."

Often conversations between Starbucks baristas and customers are in American Sign Language. Here Deaf partners share six coffee-related sign language words.

“Providing a young person with the opportunity for a job helps create a path to a fulfilling career,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

How did a 55-year-old woman, a recent cancer survivor, end up getting a job offer at this event designed for 16- to 24-years-olds who are not working and out of school?

More than 30 companies engaged with the thousands of young people who attended the day-long resource and job fair. 

“It’s hard to believe that a simple conversation led to a job. I was just being myself and they liked me for being me," said Mychal Brown, a partner in Phoenix. 

“An opportunity is all these young people need – a chance to show their skills and to work hard," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe.

Starbucks pro bono legal resources helped establish the “Homeless Youth Handbook” as an essential tool for an underserved and in-distress community.

Social media attention began for Sam after a Starbucks customer in Toronto noticed him dancing as he prepared beverages. Here's the story behind the viral video.

Whether delivering coats to kids in Kyrgyzstan or making meals for military families, Starbucks partner Spencer Bowen finds a way to assist people in need. 

Starbucks recruits and partners locally as its first store in Ferguson, Missouri, begins to take shape. 

As one of the country’s leading employers for young people, Starbucks is taking a leadership position by committing 10 percent of its store hires to Opportunity Youth.

The order for a tall Mocha Frappuccino and a tall Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino wasn’t unusual, but the way the order was communicated has surprised many viewers.

Starbucks has embraced Safe Place and expects to complete the process of circulating signage to nearly 100 company-owned stores in the greater Seattle area and have some 2,000 partners trained by November 9.

You're hired! Meet individuals who will soon be wearing a green apron after Starbucks extended job offers to many young people.

“It’s important to build diverse teams to represent our customer base, local communities and who we are as a company. When people think differently, they bring useful perspectives to the table.”

“We prepare students for college by providing them with counseling, campus tours and service learning as well as opportunities for leadership development," said Marilu Flores, Community Relations Specialist for AAMA.

“You just have to keep remembering that other people will believe in you," said Raven Myers. "They want what’s good for you. They want you to do well in life and they have high expectations for you. But you have to do it for yourself.”

Starbucks scored 100 out of 100 on a new Disability Equality Index survey, a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities and the U.S. Business Leadership Network.

To raise awareness for the work A Better Seattle and Alive & Free conduct in the region, a select group of Seahawks players will be guest baristas alongside Alive & Free outreach workers at Seattle-area Starbucks stores.

“As we look ahead to Phoenix, where one in five youth is not in school or employed, we have a critical opportunity to accelerate our collective hiring efforts and create meaningful lifelong opportunities for all," said Howard Schultz.

“Like many of you, over these last few months I have watched with a very heavy heart as refugees from any number of war-torn countries arrive here in Europe – almost all with no place to go, no family, and very little money or belongings,” said Kris Engskov, president Starbucks EMEA.

“Employed teens face a better fate in life.  They are more likely to enroll and graduate from college and their earning potential greatly exceeds those who did not work as teens,” said Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board. 

"I truly believe that these young men and women are not the biggest challenge facing our economy – they are our greatest opportunity," said Howard Schultz. 

More than 4,000 young adults are attending the first-ever Opportunity Hiring Fair & Forum which includes workshops, on-the-spot hiring, college counseling, skills development, and entertainment.

For the third season, Starbucks and the Seattle Seahawks are teaming up to offer a limited-edition gift card. Both hometown organizations are committed to building safer, stronger neighborhoods in the Seattle area through initiatives like A Better Seattle. 

“Like all of us, these young people need clear pathways to employment so they can acquire the skills and support to be work ready,” said Sheri Schultz.

"We’ve been shipping caramel cakes left and right just because of the buzz that they’re in the Starbucks stores," said Natalie DuBose, owner of Natalie's Cakes & More in Ferguson, Missouri.

Life as an adult started long before it was supposed to. My childhood was taken away at the age of three through physical and sexual abuse in my home.

“There are no magic words that turn a student’s life around,” a City Year educator said. “It takes a steady drumbeat of support." 

“Breaking down barriers to employment for young people doesn’t just help the individual workers – it benefits entire communities and the economy at large,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez.

“We have a long history of developing stores in diverse neighborhoods and we hope to do even more to bring great jobs and drive economic opportunity for all,” said Blair Taylor, Starbucks chief community officer. 

The Schultz Family Foundation, which began in 1996, is committing $30 million to helping young people enter and advance in the work force. It will invest in programs that create clear paths to employment in customer service, technology and retail.

 “I’m deeply sorry on behalf of our entire company for all that you are going through. Living in this beautiful, historic city it’s tragic this could happen," said Howard Schultz. "Please take care of one another, and know that together, we will not be bystanders.”

“Before joining the Baristas program, I felt like a bird in a nest, watching everyone take flight while I sat back because I didn’t have the confidence or courage to leave the nest,” Kalib Swaby said. “Being in this program taught me how to fly.”

“We have a need for candidates who are looking for careers with upward mobility, driven to succeed and have a good work ethic,” said Steve Sposari, CEO of SK Foods.

Touring Starbucks headquarters in Seattle as part of the Seahawks job shadow program, Garry Gilliam comes across as a man whose interests are as broad as his shoulders. 

“Every study that you look at about development and when people select the identity they’re going to carry with them in adulthood tells you that process happens between the ages of 13 and 25,” observed Holly Arsenault. 

"Service is one of the great mechanisms to increase empathy toward other people," said Blair Taylor, chief community officer. 

In Hong Kong, what begins as a student workshop on resume writing and job interviewing techniques could end with an internship with Starbucks. 

Not too long ago, Jenna Williams was homeless. Today, she’s wearing a green apron, pulling espresso shots, and laughing with customers in the same store she used to huddle in on the cold, snowy Denver days.

More than 325 young adults filtered into the YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School for an unusual day of learning. Instead of studying science or history, they were perfecting their resumes and interviewing for jobs. 

"Covenant House Vancouver is honored to receive such an impactful gift from Starbucks Foundation to help us support at-risk and homeless youth who want to change their lives," said Krista Thompson, Executive Director, Covenant House Vancouver.

A personal essay by Starbucks chief community officer Blair Taylor on "one of the biggest issues of our time."

“Pike Place Market is where it all began for Starbucks. Our customers from around the world visit this iconic store because it is where our values, our spirit for community and connection come from,” said John Kelly, Starbucks senior vice president of Global Responsibility and Public Policy.

Who knows how many burgeoning musicians have experienced similar pivotal moments? This year, Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz will mark its 20th anniversary of celebrating local talent.

“The challenge for me was figuring out what job I wanted to do,” said Elisha Hawkins, receptionist at Starbucks San Francisco Regional Office. “I needed help determining what my passion was and how I could use that to be successful in a job.”

“The theme that punctuates most of my career is the search for ways to address the socioeconomic inequities that exist in our world,” said Rodney Hines. “Community service is one way we use our scale as a global company to do just that in the neighborhoods where we do business.”

“We fundamentally believe we need to work with our country’s mayors and other community leaders to come together and help create pathways to opportunity in education and employment," said Blair Taylor.