Starbucks just opened its first store in Ferguson, Missouri, to brings jobs to the community and hope for low-income families. The opening was the first of many stores to open in diverse communities as part of Starbucks' Community Outreach Program.
How Starbucks is helping Ferguson
Since the 2014 riots in Ferguson that were triggered by the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer, the city has been left in a shambles as businesses were burned during the rioting. Starbucks hired 30 people for their store from the Ferguson and St. Louis areas. The workers range in age from 16 - 37. Starbucks is not only providing jobs but an opportunity for employees to receive full tuition to earn a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan.
More stores to come
Employees hired by Starbucks not only now have a job but also receive full healthcare benefits, plus stock equity. The program has been well received, and Starbucks plans to open 14 more stores throughout the country by 2018. Planned locations include Queens, New York, and the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago's South Side.
Ferguson's Mayor James Knowles III expressed his gratefulness to Starbucks. The new store has already helped other local businesses grow.
Read more at www.abcnews.go.com/US/starbucks-opens-store-ferguson-low-income-community-outreach/story?id=38760988
