Starbucks: Pouring Generosity into Hillsides
Starbucks has been a very generous partner to Hillsides over the last nine years. One of the ways Starbucks gives back to Hillsides is through hosting an annual toy drive. Each year, the company collects toys at selected San Gabriel Valley stores for children who might otherwise not receive any gifts. In recent years, Starbucks partners have also assembled and decorated the gift collection boxes.
“It feels great to provide holiday cheer to children and also to bring awareness about Hillsides to the community,” said Starbucks District Manager Jennifer Vanderpool, who has spearheaded local efforts supporting Hillsides. “Our Starbucks partners also get a chance to be educated about Hillsides, which helps build a strong connection between the two organizations.”
In addition to the annual toy drive, Starbucks support our Youth Moving On (YMO) program for youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood. Local Starbucks partners lead four-week career workshops for the youth, and over the last four years, Starbucks has hired some 20 YMO youth. Such jobs not only give youth steady incomes but can provide them the economic stability to overcome homelessness and find permanent places to live.
In yet another show of support, from 2017 to 2019, the Starbucks Foundation awarded Hillsides a $30,000 grant for the YMO workforce development program for a total of $90,000. These funds include outreach efforts to help youth gain the necessary skills needed to prepare for employment.
