This year marks an unprecedented wildfire season across Canada. Communities and partners (employees) from coast-to-coast-to-coast have been uniquely impacted by the worst wildfire season on record. In the last few days alone, we’ve seen emergency evacuations ordered for the people of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and Kelowna, British Columbia as wildfires impact local communities.

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Our thoughts are with the people of Yellowknife, Kelowna, and the many other communities across Canada navigating the devastating effects of wildfires this past year. In response to the ongoing impact of these natural disasters, Starbucks Canada and The Starbucks Foundation are working directly with the Canadian Red Cross to provide grants and support to those in need. This year, The Starbucks Foundation provided a total of $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to support disaster recovery for efforts such as these.

In addition to this contribution, effective August 21, customers will be able to make donations to the Canadian Red Cross at the register in Starbucks stores in Canada. The donations will be used by the Canadian Red Cross to assist in wildfire relief efforts nationwide. Starbucks Canada remains committed to supporting our partners and the communities we serve.

Customers may also make a donation directly to the Canadian Red Cross using this <a href="https://secure.redcross.ca/registrant/donate.aspx?eventid=384865&amp;langpref=en-CA">link</a>.

Available at participating stores. Starbucks Coffee Company will give the Canadian Red Cross 100% of all donations collected at participating Starbucks stores in Canada during the Program period. The Canadian Red Cross will not receive your contact information. Starbucks cannot provide a receipt for your donation at the register. Should you require a donation receipt from the Canadian Red Cross, please call 1-800-418-1111 to donate by phone, or give online at redcross.ca. The Canadian Red Cross name, emblem and copyrighted materials are being used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion, or political position. The Canadian Red Cross logo is a registered trademark owned by The Canadian National Red Cross. For more information about the Canadian Red Cross, please visit redcross.ca.&nbsp;

Starbucks Canada Supports Communities Impacted by Wildfires Nationwide - Starbucks Canada

Starbucks Canada

Starbucks Canada Supports Communities Impacted by Wildfires Nationwide

This year marks an unprecedented wildfire season across Canada. Communities and partners (employees) from coast-to-coast-to-coast have been uniquely impacted by the worst wildfire season on record. In the last few days alone, we’ve seen emergency evacuations ordered for the people of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and Kelowna, British Columbia as wildfires impact local communities. Our thoughts […]

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https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2023/starbucks-canada-supports-communities-impacted-by-wildfires-nationwide/

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At Starbucks, all our partners (employees) who are proactively engaged in community related activities are known as Community Champions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This April, Community Champions around the world will come&nbsp;together, through service, to create a collective impact on our planet and in our communities. We call this our Global Month of Good. To celebrate,&nbsp;we’re shining a light on Community Champions across Canada and the charities and causes that matter most to them.&nbsp;

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Jackie, Store Manager | Supports Foundry East Kootenay

Jackie is a Community Champion whose involvement with <a href="https://foundrybc.ca/eastkootenay/">Foundry East Kootenay </a>helps support youth mental health programming in British Columbia.

She appreciates the Community Champions program because it allows for greater giving within the organizations she already supports. Starbucks Canada gives a matching donation for each hour volunteered and tracked through our Community Champions portal. This means that Jackie’s volunteer efforts and impact are immediately multiplied.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Programs such as these ones are truly one of the ways we are a different company,” she says. “Not only can I do good in the community, but having the backing to do good is what makes me so proud to be a partner.” 

Debi, Store Manager | Supports Start Me Up Niagara

Through the Community Champions program, Debi supports <a href="https://www.startmeupniagara.ca/">Start Me Up Niagara</a>, an Ontario-based not-for-profit organization that works with individuals facing significant life challenges such as addiction, mental illness, poverty, homelessness, and unemployment.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Debi is active and proud community member who appreciates the multitude of year-round services Start Me Up Niagara provides. “They do so much for the community, including housing, food, employment help, and they have a community garden that supports all the shelters in our community with fresh produce during the season,” she says.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Community Champions program is so important to her because it helps enlarge her giving, she explains. “My goal this year was to use all of the $1,000 in donation matching that Starbucks makes available for each partner as part of the program, and I reached it by end of Q2.”

“We have 33 partners in St. Catharines. I try to tell them that, if we all used half of that $1,000, that would be $16,000 in donation matching that Starbucks would help us put back in our community. Imagine the impact that could make!”&nbsp;

Debi also sits with her partners during the Neighbourhood Grant nomination period, which happens bi-annually through The Starbucks Foundation.

Skyler, Store Manager | Supports Kerr Street Mission

Skyler is a Community Champion that supports <a href="https://www.kerrstreet.com/">Kerr Street Mission (KSM)</a><a href="https://www.kerrstreet.com/">, </a>a faith-based organization that is committed to caring for families that are struggling to make ends meet.&nbsp;

&nbsp;When he was younger, Skyler’s family went through hardships. He says he is thankful for those that supported his family in their time of need and supports KSM because “I feel it’s now my turn to support others.”&nbsp;

The Community Champions program is important to Skyler because it highlights the very purpose of community.&nbsp;“Community brings people together; community inspires the human spirit,” he explains. “I’ve been able to attend more events, make my own events, meet new partners, all because of the Community Champions program.”&nbsp;

Moreover, he believes being a part of the program has given him a new sense of purpose to go out and support his community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It’s a sense of fulfilment and joy,” Skyler shares. “I know that the excitement I have in hosting or just showing up to events has helped inspire my peers and partners to join in.”

Sarah, Assistant Store Manager | Supports Ocean Wise

Through the Community Champions program, Sarah supports <a href="https://www.ocean.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Wise</a>, a BC-based non-profit organization whose mission is to empower communities and individuals to take action to protect and restore our world’s oceans. &nbsp; In recent years, Sarah has led an Ocean Wise Shoreline Cleanup because she believes in protecting and saving the ocean “for the sake of our future survival,” she explains. “Oceans feed us, regulate our climate, and generate most of the oxygen we breathe. Shoreline Cleanup empowers coastal communities to stop the leak of plastics into our ocean, reinvent products and work towards a plastic-free future.” &nbsp; The Community Champions program has allowed Sarah to expand her passion to make a difference, she says. Moreover, it’s helped “inspire more partners to make a huge impact supporting our community through the program's tools and resources, making a difference together, in so many ways.”

Kal, Store Manager | Supports ECSSEN Career School

Through the Community Champions program, Kal supports <a href="https://ecssen.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ECSSEN Career School</a>, an Alberta-based organization that strives to support immigrant newcomers and socially disadvantaged to become productive members of society by providing career development opportunities, social service programs and other community-based support.

Kal chose to support ECSSEN because their values not only aligned with his, but that of his leadership as a partner at Starbucks - believing in accountability, collaboration, compassion and diversity.

He is “immensely and forever in gratitude” to the Community Champions program, he explains, because “it has shaped not only my career path, but my outlook as a partner and person, allowing me to navigate our world through empathy.” In doing so, it has given him visibility to partners beyond his own store, a chance to connect with something bigger than himself and his surroundings.

“It has given me many platforms to make my work as a leader more meaningful, and truly show what it means #tobepartner,” he says. “Through programs like Foodshare and other&nbsp; community events my store was involved in, I got to meet people at ECSSEN and get involved with the organization.”&nbsp; The strong focus on neighborhood impact at Kal’s LEED certified store, Bankview, has helped it become a hub where partners and customers alike can foster community “in every sense of the word,” he says.

Shehani, Store Manager | Supports Food Bank on Wheels

Through the Community Champions program, Shehani supports <a href="https://foodbankonwheels.org/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food Bank on Wheels</a>, a BC-based mobile delivery food bank putting together food hampers for those in community that may be unable to otherwise access food banks due to illness, disability, mobility or other circumstances in her community. &nbsp; “The work Food Bank on Wheels does allows those who may be especially vulnerable to still have access to food,” Shehani explains. &nbsp; She is thankful to the Community Champions program for connecting her with like-minded people. “It helps us get others more easily involved and hopefully light that community spark in them too,” she explains. “I believe building community is such an important part of making us all better humans who are more aware of each other, more open to understanding, more patient and kind, and more willing to help.”

Kay, Barista (They/Them)&nbsp;| Supports Connect Youth&nbsp;

Through the Community Champions program, Kay supports <a href="https://connectyouth.ca/">Connect Youth</a>, an Ontario-based community focus group that provides services for teens and young adults struggling with basic amenities, life skills and overall wellbeing.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Youth homelessness and mental health crises are prevalent in my area,” Kay explains. “Connect Youth has wonderful housing services, mental health and addictions groups, and adulting classes to curb these adversities.”&nbsp;

Giving back to the community is very important to Kay and they appreciate being able to participate in the Community Champions program because&nbsp; “it allows partners alike the chance to be involved – with Starbucks matching their efforts and inspiring the missions and values beyond the café!”&nbsp;

Jilian, Store Manager&nbsp;| Supports Little Warriors&nbsp;

Through the Community Champions program, Jilian supports <a href="https://littlewarriors.ca/about/">Little Warriors</a>, an Alberta-based organization that provides support for victims of childhood sexual abuse and their families.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Abuse at a young age is one of the most important indicators of quality of life,” Jilian says. “I chose to support Little Warriors because they are helping Alberta’s future grow and heal from their experiences.”&nbsp;

Jilian values the Community Champions program because it allows her to maximize her giving. “Whether it be the donation match or volunteer time-related donations or grants, the Starbucks’ support aides in the functioning of this great organization,” she explains.

“We make a difference in the lives of more than we know. This program allows us to bring a light into our lives. A light that fills our cup so we can continue to drive the good we want to see around us.”&nbsp;

Josh, Store Manager&nbsp;| Supports The Ottawa Mission&nbsp;

Through the Community Champions program, Josh supports <a href="https://ottawamission.com/">The Ottawa Mission</a>, an Ontario-based organization that provides resources to Ottawa's under privileged communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Working in the nation’s capital, Josh sees combating food scarcity, addiction, and homelessness as a major challenge in the city. “This organization is fighting on the front lines to make a difference for everyday people who just need a break,” he explains.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For Josh, giving back to the community he works in is a critical piece to operating through a lens of humanity. “At Starbucks, we are deeply woven into the fabric of society as a place for community to gather, so it only makes sense that we give back at every opportunity,” he says.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Community Champions program gives him an opportunity to make a local impact while being part of the global solution. It’s why he always encourages his fellow partners to track their efforts in the portal and “really lean into the idea that if everyone is doing a little bit, then as a team we are doing a lot.”&nbsp;

This Global Month of Good, we invite you to check back each week to learn more about our inspiring Community Champions. Every act of kindness, every volunteer hour, every moment of service adds up to support those in our communities. At Starbucks Canada, we recognize that together as partners we have the ability to make a difference, because together, the possibilities are limitless.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Celia, Store Manager | Supports Main Street Project

Through the Community Champions program, Celia supports <a href="https://www.mainstreetproject.ca/">Main Street Project</a>, a Winnipeg-based charity that provides essential services to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

“The charity is at the heart of the city, in an area where there are many people in need,” says Celia. “Main Street Project serves a community that is often forgotten and helps provide them with essential services to grow and develop.”

Bringing people together is a passion for Celia, who is enthusiastic about how the Community Champions program has provided her opportunities to connect with other partners through volunteering and community organizing. 

“The program is important to me because I get to do something I love to do: bring people together to do good in our communities,” says Celia.&nbsp; “I have been able to increase my impact by organizing events that allow other partners to get involved.” 

Lyndsay, Barista | Supports Shifra Homes

Through the Community Champions program, Lyndsay supports <a href="https://www.shifrahomes.com/">Shifra Homes</a>, an Ontario-based non-profit organization that helps support young, homeless pregnant women by providing a place to stay and helping them find a place to live after giving birth.

“I chose them as they do so much good for these women who need help,” Lyndsay explains. “And they are the only ones in the GTA that do this work.”

Lyndsay loves participating in the Community Champions program because it not only helps support her community but gives her an opportunity to better understand it.

“I love supporting the charities that need extra support,” she says. “But I also love the opportunity it gives for me to better know myself through these charities”.

Lyndsay also loves encouraging her fellow partners to join in her volunteer efforts. She recognizes that many partners are looking for inspiring volunteer opportunities to learn more about their local community, just like her.

Stephanie, Store Manager | Supports Entraide Agapé

Through the Community Champions program, Jackie supports <a href="https://entraideagape.org/">Entraide Agapé</a>, a Quebec-based food bank. “I choose them because they are the only food bank in Quebec City open seven days a week to people that need food,” she explains.

Stephanie says the Community Champions programs is important to her because it engenders empathy to the causes all around us.

“Unfortunately, we are sometimes unaware of what is happening in our community,” she says. “It is important to make others aware of realities other than our own so that we can ensure a better world.”

This Global Month of Good, we invite you to check back each week to learn more about our inspiring Community Champions. Every act of kindness, every volunteer hour, every moment of services adds up. At Starbucks Canada, we recognize that together as partners&nbsp; we have the ability to make a difference, because together, the possibilities are limitless. &nbsp;

Celebrating Community Champions this Global Month of Good - Starbucks Canada

Celebrating Community Champions this Global Month of Good

This April, Community Champions around the world will come together, through service, to create a collective impact on our planet and in our communities.

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Starbucks ‘District 259 Dominators’ team raised more than $12,000 last year during the Coldest Night of the Year walk.

This year on February 26, Starbucks partners (employees) will take to the streets for the 2022 <a href="https://cnoy.org/home">Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY)</a> fundraising walk to raise money for local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. As part of the company’s unwavering commitment to uplift and strengthen the communities it serves, the initiative is one of four national campaigns Starbucks undertakes to inspire&nbsp;partners to come together and give back to the neighbourhoods that are meaningful to them.

Coldest Night of the Year is one of Starbucks Canada’s signature community service events and draws hundreds of Starbucks partners from coast to coast, who not only raise money for local organizations, but also serve coffee to other participants throughout the event. Last year, over 640 partners raised almost $100,000 for the cause, nearly doubling the previous year, helping local organizations make even bigger impacts for those in need.&nbsp;

“Through the Coldest Night of the Year, Starbucks partners have raised $196,497 for local charities serving Canadians experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger. “We are in awe of the way Starbucks staff are taking action and braving the cold in support of Canadians experiencing homelessness,” says Jen Taylor, the Coldest Night of the Year’s National Director. “This event has given teams a way to mobilize their care, compassion, and concern for the less fortunate. We’re all inspired by the way Starbucks teams have come together to make a difference in their communities.”

Over the years, Bryan, Starbucks Oshawa District Manager, and his team of baristas, store managers, shift supervisors, customers and community members have helped lead the way in fundraising for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/refugeoutreach/">The Refuge</a>, a local youth outreach shelter. Better known as the <a href="https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=971984">‘District 259 Dominators’</a>, Bryan and his team raised more than $12,000 last year, the most of any Starbucks team.

In a heartfelt letter to Bryan, a member of The Refuge recalls being able to put support in place for a young man battling addiction and homelessness who was without shelter on Christmas Eve. Unable to stay with his family due to previous conflicts caused by his addiction, he was looking to use the holiday as a stepping stone to make amends. The Refuge was able to pay for a hotel room near his parents’ house. “He spent a wonderful two days with his family (still having his own space to go back to), and he came back to The Refuge inspired/refreshed and planned to go to a rehabilitation facility to deal with his addictions. I want to thank you for your past participation in the CNOY because without your participation and fundraising, we would not have access to funds to help youth in this way.”&nbsp;

For Bryan, this cause hits close to home. As an Oshawa-area resident for much of his life, he’s witnessed the many challenges people living in poverty face. He’s seen the importance of giving back to the community that has given so much to him. Thanks to CNOY, he’s developed a close relationship with The Refuge that allows him to enact real change in his hometown

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“I grew up in this area and I’ve been here for about 30 years. I’ve seen the challenges people face here and it’s heartbreaking, so It feels good because we had a hand in changing those lives – even if it was for just a minute”

Bryan, an ever-competitive soul, said while a friendly wager between himself and another district manager motivated teams to put their all into fundraising efforts, their real drive comes from their passion and desire to help The Refuge.

“We’re no stranger to healthy competition, and if we can compete while contributing to a good cause, then we’re always up for the challenge,” said Bryan. “We all know what we have endured over the last two years during the pandemic, so CNOY gives us a safe opportunity to gather and feel that community connection that makes us love doing this.”

In 2021 alone, fundraising from the CNOY and other neighbourhood grants have helped provide meals to more than 7,700 youth in the Oshawa community. It also led to more than 4,800 program interactions for 98 new kids who made their first visit to The Refuge. Proceeds from the <a href="https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=971984">‘District 259 Dominators’</a> efforts have been a benefit for the Shelter’s future expansion plans, as they look to provide safe haven for impoverished and homeless youth in the Ontario’s Durham Region.

“This is our fourth year doing the CNOY walk, and we’ve seen an increasing amount of community support behind it,” he added. “Our goal is to hit $15,000 this year, and if we do that, we’ll have raised over $50,000 for The Refuge in the last four years. That is our drive!”

To learn more about CNOY, <a href="https://cnoy.org/challenge/starbucks">click here</a> to donate and join our team.

Coldest Night of the Year is one of Starbucks Canada’s signature community service events and draws hundreds of Starbucks partners from coast to coast,

Meet the Oshawa-Area Starbucks Partners Who Are Making a Difference for Local Shelters - Starbucks Canada

Meet the Oshawa-Area Starbucks Partners Who Are Making a Difference for Local Shelters

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This week Cynthia and Sadaf share their stories and the impact of the model minority myth

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I came to Canada when I was three years old. We first lived in a small village with a population of 500. It was my father’s dream to live in a huge house with a barn like in the Western movies he watched as a child.

Once I was old enough for grade school we moved to Vancouver. There were more people that looked like us here, but not many Koreans at the time. I was always the top of my grade for mathematics. My teachers assumed I wanted to be a doctor and always put in me in advance programs because it was their impression that I wanted to achieve more. I had high expectations at a young age.

Being the role model didn’t end at school. Though I am an only child in my family, I am the oldest of my generation for both sides of my family. As the oldest of the Kang family, I have the responsibility of being the role model for my cousins, nieces and nephews. I was not allowed to be spoiled, be immature or make mistakes. As I was the only one living in North America, I was also expected to have the best education and best career path compared to the rest of my cousins. I gave up a lot being the “model minority”. I wanted to pursue a career in music- I played most woodwind instruments and loved composing music. However, it was against the expectations set by my parents under the influence of model minority myth, so I stopped playing.

I joined Starbucks eight years ago. I placed a lot of pressure on myself to be perfect and that was noticed by the people around me, but one day something clicked. As I was learning more about inclusion and diversity, I came across the concept of the imposter syndrome. I realized that a lot of the pressure I placed on myself came from a fear of not being seen as good enough in front of others. This had a lot to do with the expectations I internalized due to the model minority myth. Through that realization, I learned to be more comfortable with myself and build confidence. At a company Courageous Conversation meeting, I spoke openly for the first time in front of my peers about inclusion and diversity and the importance of more representation. Afterwards, I heard from other partners that they were happy to hear me talk about things that they were feeling, but felt uncomfortable sharing. I realized how important my voice was. That’s why I joined the Starbucks Canada Pan Asian Partner Network council as a communications specialist, helping others to build confidence and be comfortable with sharing their stories.

Though I wish I had challenged the status quo much sooner, I’m very happy with my life now and have even begun playing music again. I want others to know that it’s important to keep your head up, speak up and challenge the status quo. You’ll be much happier and will make those around you happier as well.

My journey of embracing my Asian Canadian identity begins with my Asian Russian identity. I was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, but my family moved to Russia when I was six months old.

Growing up in post USSR Russia was surreal. I remember seeing tanks entering the city from my window in 1993, line ups for bread and milk, empty store shelves contrasting luxury cars of the "New Russians" – the newly formed business class of now "democratic" Russia. Growing up I'd play with kids in the streets under the warm supervision of omnipresent babushkas and come home to the aromatic smell of Bengali food and sounds of my native language. Although I had a lot of close friends, I still faced ingrained forms of racism through surprised glances and looks, especially when hearing my lack of accent in Russian, or sometimes outward aggression due to my race; this made me question my identity.

After coming to Canada in my early 20s, I was treated with respect and was seemingly given equal opportunities at university and work. Thus, like many first-generation Canadians, I felt that people who complained about equity, didn’t understand how thankful they should be for their privilege. In my view (at the time), the liberties of North America seemed unparalleled in contrast to the rest of the world and my own past experience.&nbsp;

My lived experience helps me strive to have an open mind. It reminds me that a sense of belonging and a community is a basic human need; it is also a privilege that is taken away from many, so as years passed, my perspective changed. I was introduced to terms like “glass ceiling” and learned more about the oppression faced by the LGBTQ+ community, the Black Lives Matter movement and the history and experiences of Asian Americans and Canadians. It was open and honest conversations with my fellow partners, learning about their lives and experiences, and our Starbucks Third Place Series, videos and conversations designed to help break down biases and create more inclusive spaces, that helped open my eyes to what implicit bias truly means.

I now understand the sacrifices and suffering that many in Canada had to go through to pave a foundation of equality for everyone, and I am thankful. So much work has been done and it now gives me the privilege to write these words without fear. Perhaps paradoxically, this progress uncovers more and more opportunities for us to build on the foundation and continue our journey towards equality. A path that can only be uncovered by embracing our cultures and celebrating them.

This May, Starbucks is honouring Asian Heritage Month by sharing the unique stories and experiences of its Pan-Asian partners (employees) each week on Starbucks Stories.

Behind the Green Apron: Two Starbucks partners share their stories and the impact of the model minority myth - Starbucks Canada

Behind the Green Apron: Two Starbucks partners share their stories and the impact of the model minority myth

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This week, Hanh, logistics service rep in Toronto, MJ, store manager in Calgary, and David, barista, share how their culture, teaches and upbringings inspire their desire to give back to the community

In the Vietnamese and Chinese culture, friends and family are very important.&nbsp; Our friends are treated like family members, and when they come to our home, they are welcomed with love and are fed with delicious food.&nbsp; There were times when we did not have much food on the table, but our bellies felt full because our hearts were filled with laughter and joy with our friends and family company.&nbsp;&nbsp;

My mom was the sole financial supporter for my four siblings and me. She worked on an assembly line where 95% of her coworkers were Asian, so there were very few opportunities to speak English. This became a challenge when one of my sisters was diagnosed with epilepsy and developmental delays and it was difficult for my mom to navigate the system to find support for her.

At the age of 12, I would attend my sister’s appointments with mom. I helped translate English to Vietnamese/Cantonese so my mom could understand what the medical teams needed to support my sister. Seeing how strong, loving and appreciative my mother was, even with the circumstances, made me feel grateful for everything around me.

As a teenager, my sister tried fitting in with kids her age, but was often bullied and taken advantage of because of her vulnerability, which led to a diagnosis of psychotic depression. This made me very angry and I became her advocate and protector.&nbsp;

I think these experiences helped instill my love for people and strong desire to support the most vulnerable in our communities. Even when the whole world seems dark, if someone showed that they care about me, that would make me feel hope to get through another day. This is what drives me do the same for others.&nbsp;

Throughout my journey at Starbucks, I have taken opportunities to volunteer and organize events that bring a light of hope to people who need it most and help them believe that they can get through the toughest of times.&nbsp;Most recently, our Starbucks Canada Pan-Asian Partner Network (PPN) donated care packages to Asian seniors to help lift their spirits at a time when they really needed it. Being part of the PPN allows me to learn more about the Asian culture but also gives me an opportunity to support those who are most vulnerable in our community.

I hope that my story will inspire more people to think about what they can do for their community to make that one person smile and feel important. The smallest action of care can truly make someone feel like they are worth it!

I grew up in India, and when I was young my father and grandfather introduced me to this Mantra from The&nbsp;Bhagwat Gita, the Hindu holy Book, and it stuck with me forever: Karmanye&nbsp;Vadhikaraste,&nbsp;Ma&nbsp;phaleshou&nbsp;kada&nbsp;chana. In Sanskrit, the world’s oldest language, this means: keep on performing your duties without expecting for any reward in return, leading a selfless life! This is the main principle of&nbsp;Karma.

I witnessed my father live by this Mantra, often going out of his way to help others in need, despite our financial hardship. I also have a fond memory of accompanying my grandfather to the local community Bazaar and watching him buy vegetables that were nearly rotten from a vendor, who had no customers, so that the vendor would be able to buy food for their own family. This always got him in trouble with my grandmother, but that didn’t stop him from doing it again, and doing his part to give to others. This is how I was seeded with a lifelong purpose of making a difference in the community where I live.

In 2007, I was hired to join the Starbucks team in India, but when the launch was delayed, a life changing moment happened, Starbucks Canada offered me a temporary position as a store manager in Calgary, Alberta. When I arrived in Canada in 2008, I was on a two-year work permit and had planned to return to India, but my experience in this beautiful country, and at Starbucks, made me move my home 11,000 miles away!

From the very beginning of my 13-year Starbucks Canada journey, I committed myself to my family and cultural values&nbsp;that were seeded very early in my life and to our Starbucks mission – To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one cup, one person and&nbsp;one neighborhood at a time. This is why my team and I stay up-to-date and make ourselves available for any opportunities to give back and make a difference in our community. Whether through supporting sustainability, health and inclusion initiatives, or helping to fight food insecurity, I feel fortunate that we have had the opportunity to partner with organizations in our community doing great work to make our neighbourhoods a better place for everyone. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, World is one Family.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Growing up, my parents always reminded me to ground myself in my values. So, when I faced any adversity, I could lean on who I was and continue to strive for success. As a child of immigrants, I saw the strong work ethic my parents required to become established in Canada. They faced issues like trying to find housing and jobs that would recognize their education, while attempting to make a life for themselves and trying to take care of my brother and me.

I remember my mom and dad working 16-hour days, sometimes not seeing them for days at a time. They had to lean on the Filipino community to help take care of us and find opportunities to build their new life here. Along the way, they decided to create their own business, and became advocates for the Filipino community by hiring individuals who had just moved to Canada to help set them up for success. Seeing this, my values became about work ethic and helping underprivileged and marginalized groups succeed.

As I grew into my own, I became passionate about community involvement and empowering our youth to be the leaders we need today. I was humbled with the stories my parents told me about how some areas of the Philippines were incredibly destitute and how fortunate I was to be living in Canada. With this, I knew I wanted to create a better world for everyone to be accepted in.

I started to be involved in charities and non-profits I felt were important to me and my experiences. I started to fundraise for our city’s first Youth Homeless Shelter, organized our community Terry Fox Run, and became a facilitator in a community forum about building inclusion in Saskatchewan this year, especially important with an increase in Asian hate around the world.

To me, being a Filipino isn’t just about the delicious foods that are part of our culture, but about leveraging our work ethic and hospitality so we can help those in need in our communities.

Behind the Green Apron: Three Starbucks partners share how Asian culture and teachings inspire them to give back to the community - Starbucks Canada

Behind the Green Apron: Three Starbucks partners share how Asian culture and teachings inspire them to give back to the community

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Coffee for your plants? In an effort to reduce waste, Starbucks offers free coffee grounds for gardeners with local program .

Dubbed as the&nbsp;unofficial start of summer, the&nbsp;May long weekend is around the corner, and Canadians are dusting off their gardening tools to start planting outdoors.&nbsp;Starbucks is here to help gardeners show some extra love to their plants and flowers this season, while also helping the environment

Starbucks serves&nbsp;freshly brewed&nbsp;coffee to millions of customers each day, but many may not know they can also pick up a free bag of used coffee grounds to enrich their gardens and compost with its in-store program, Grounds For Your Garden.&nbsp;Starbucks started its Grounds For Your Garden&nbsp;program in 1995, which is offered on a first-come, first-served basis in participating stores for free to customers. Even the packaging has been reused – baristas scoop spent coffee grounds into the empty bags originally used to ship espresso beans to stores.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For over 25 years, customers have taken advantage of Grounds For Your Garden at their local Starbucks. Deepak has been picking up bags of coffee grounds from his local store in Ontario, for his community garden to nourish and prepare his soil for growing fresh produce. His garden, filled with vegetable seeds and fresh greens, was first created to share homegrown food with a few neighbours. Now, he makes his harvest available to help others in the community who face challenges accessing fresh food due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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On top of keeping pests&nbsp;away, Deepak shared that the coffee grounds, in combination with his kitchen composter,&nbsp;have helped nourish the soil to produce better greens, including Spinach and Kale, that were most recently harvested for his community members.&nbsp;

Ashley Bonar is the store manager at the Starbucks Deepak regularly visits. Ashley looks forwards to seeing customers take advantage of her location’s Grounds For Your Garden program.

“This is a win-win program for both our partners, customers and the planet. We love seeing the beautiful gardens Deepak and all our customers in the community who use this program grow. Plus, our partners feel so much pride and joy packing the bags of coffee grounds to be used in the community, while also reducing our waste,” said Ashley Bonar, Starbucks Store Manager and Co-Chair of Starbucks Canada Partners for Sustainability.

Grounds For Your Garden has evolved to become an important part of Starbucks effort to reduce the environmental impact of its stores. Although composting may not be commercially available in all municipalities, the program serves as another way to reuse coffee&nbsp;grounds to&nbsp;prevent one of the company’s largest waste contributor (by volume and weight) going to landfills. This is just one of the programs that supports the company’s&nbsp;bold, multi-decade aspiration to cut carbon, water and waste each by 50 percent by 2030 and give back to the planet by <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/starbucks-sustainability-commitment-infographic/">becoming resource positive</a> in the future.

Treat your garden and check with your Barista to see if used coffee grounds are available at your <a href="https://www.starbucks.ca/store-locator?map=57.751076,-101.645508,4z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local Starbucks</a>.

Starbucks started its Grounds For Your Garden program in 1995, which is offered on a first-come, first-served basis in participating stores for free to customers.

Starbucks Grounds For Your Garden: Rooted in a Mission to Help Local Communities Grow - Starbucks Canada

Starbucks Grounds For Your Garden: Rooted in a Mission to Help Local Communities Grow

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This week, Jeff, district manager, and Engagement Lead of the Canada Pan Asian Partner Network (PPN) reflects back on his move to Canada and how he makes a difference for other new Canadians. &nbsp;&nbsp;

I grew up in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. I have an older brother who lives with my mom in Taiwan. I consider myself lucky as the second born son in Chinese culture. Being second, means less pressure carrying the family name, and it came with much more freedom.

When I was young, my dream was to become a computer engineer. As all coding is done in English, I begged my parents to let me move somewhere to learn the language. Growing up, I remember my mother loved watching French movies. She found the language romantic. My parents decided that I would move to Montreal, Quebec, where I could learn both English and French. On the plane, I chose my English name, Jeff, because I wanted to be accepted by my new community. When I arrived in Quebec,&nbsp;I was lucky and blessed that my home-stay family had an open mindset and embraced diversity.

I started attending language school where I met the love of my life. We didn’t speak the same language, but we knew we were perfect for each other, and we got married young. In my language classes, everyone was an immigrant, so I didn’t feel like an outsider, until I tried to find an apartment for me and my wife. When I inquired for places, landlords would ask, “What nationality are you? …We have nothing available." Eventually my sister-in-law, who spoke with no accent, called on our behalf and the same people told her they had plenty available! She helped negotiate for our first place. Even with her help we had to pay 6 months of rent in advance.&nbsp; While this doesn’t happen to me today, I still often get asked if I speak English and French.

After a few years in Canada, I joined Starbucks. As a customer, I thought Starbucks was a company that valued diversity, so I joined as a district manager in Montreal. It was easy to see how the team lived up to the company’s Mission and values. I didn’t feel like a minority or a co-worker – it felt more like friends with the same goals. Indeed, this was the best decision I could have made.

My experience as a new Canadian gives me a unique perspective. I understand the importance of opportunities. I know how difficult it can be for new immigrants to find jobs in our province when they have difficulties speaking French. This is what inspires me to create opportunities for everyone and encourage others to do the same.&nbsp; I am proud of the store managers in our district because they always keep an open mindset when it comes to hiring new partners who are still learning the language. It’s important that we provide people with the opportunity to work and learn the language. We’ve brought on many partners who were able to learn French with the help of their partners at work. And in time, those new partners have the opportunity to leverage our educational benefits to study the language. I think that is how we are making a difference.

Last year, I joined the Canada Pan Asian Partner Network at Starbucks as the Engagement Lead. The network has been a positive force in my life amidst a global pandemic as it introduced me to my virtual family.&nbsp;

In a time where outbursts of racism are built out of anger and confusion, I want to create a new movement of connection and positivity to celebrate all the things that make us amazing.

Hopefully by sharing my story I can inspire others to do the same, and the world will learn that the base of Asian culture is community and caring for others.

Behind the Green Apron: How one Starbucks partner’s experience as a new Canadian inspires him to create opportunities for others - Starbucks Canada

Behind the Green Apron: How one Starbucks partner’s experience as a new Canadian inspires him to create opportunities for others

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This week, Joanna, customer logistics manager, and Sonia, district manager, and co-chairs of the Canada Pan Asian Partner Network (PPN) tell us about the experiences that led them to launching the network in Canada, what they hope to accomplish with PPN and how the network plans to celebrate Asian Heritage Month for the first time at Starbucks.&nbsp;

We come from different backgrounds, but the two of us have a lot in common. We were both born in Canada to immigrant parents, and coincidently, for most of our young adult lives, we both tried to distance ourselves from our culture and heritage. Growing up, we felt a strong desire to fit in. To be seen as “Canadian”.&nbsp;

Not liking the food. Seeking friends who were not Asian.&nbsp; Making sure to speak immediately so people knew you didn’t have an accent.&nbsp; These are just a few of the deliberate efforts we’d make to push who we were away. Since we were both born in Canada, this was also a way to differentiate&nbsp;ourselves&nbsp;from those who were new and not easily accepted.

It wasn’t until recently that we both discovered how truly connected we were to our cultures and how special they are in making up this beautiful country. It took being avid travelers of the world, and lots of conversations with each other, our families and friends, to see the beauty that we set aside for so long.&nbsp;We also recognized that we still had so much to learn.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In our professional lives, we’ve had similar career paths that led us to amazing opportunities, but still, there were times we each often felt lonely from&nbsp;a&nbsp;diversity perspective. There weren’t many people in our peer groups or leadership that looked like us or could&nbsp;even&nbsp;understand&nbsp;or relate to us.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A culmination of these experiences&nbsp;led us to launching the Starbucks Canada Pan-Asian Partner Network (Canada PPN).

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Our Canadian PPN vision is to foster meaningful connections and elevate the impact of Pan-Asian partners and allies within Starbucks and the community. We have found a new family. Although partners in the network come from many different cultures, and each partner is unique in their journey, it’s our shared experiences that bring us together and create&nbsp;trust and an unconditional feeling of “We got your back!”.

Connecting through the network has&nbsp;ignited&nbsp;a&nbsp;strong desire to change the world, not only because we&nbsp;can, but we have a responsibility to do so,&nbsp;even&nbsp;if it is&nbsp;in small ways, within Starbucks and in our local communities.

Since launching the network, we hosted a forum for Pan-Asian partners to share their experiences and feelings in a safe space. This allowed our partners to be seen and heard and helps us better understand how to support them. We have also begun to&nbsp;build relationships&nbsp;with community organizations that support Pan-Asian Canadians and fight against anti-Asian racism across Canada.

This time next year, we hope to have more partners from across the Pan-Asian community&nbsp;(South, East, West Asia and more)&nbsp;truly feel supported by our network&nbsp;with resources that we can provide&nbsp;and ultimately a network that they can call family too.&nbsp;

This May, we are so excited to be celebrating Asian Heritage Month in Canada at Starbucks for the FIRST time. This month is all about celebrating the culture and contributions of Pan-Asian Canadians to Canada and amplifying the topics and issues important to our communities. We have heard partners say, “wow, we get our own month?” We never truly understand how important the role that space recognition plays in helping our partners feel valued and like they belong.

Our theme this year for Asian Heritage Month is Being Asian Canadian: the past, the present and the future. We are looking forward to bringing our partners along the journey&nbsp;as we highlight&nbsp;the history of Asian Canadians&nbsp;who forged a path for our parents to immigrate to Canada and learn about the Asian Canadians who have made significant contributions to our country to the present. We will also&nbsp;bring awareness to important issues&nbsp;such as the Model Minority&nbsp;Myth&nbsp;and&nbsp;mental health in our community.

Most importantly, we will celebrate the unique identities and cultures&nbsp;in Asia that make us to be proud be part of the community.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We welcome you to follow our journey on Instagram by searching <a href="https://www.instagram.com/starbuckscanadappn/">starbuckscanadaPPN</a>

Behind the Green Apron: Meet the Co-Chairs of the Starbucks Canada Pan-Asian Partner Network who want to change the world - Starbucks Canada

Behind the Green Apron: Meet the Co-Chairs of the Starbucks Canada Pan-Asian Partner Network who want to change the world

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It’s not enough to “not be racist”, our humanity demands that we be anti-racist.&nbsp;

Creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome has long been core to the Mission and Values at Starbucks.&nbsp;

Hate and discrimination have no place at Starbucks. The company is committed to promoting racial equity and justice, and knows this work begins with itself first. Living its Mission and Values, Starbucks has been listening, reflecting and acting — the company continues to be accountable, learning every single day. And while the company has made progress forward, the truth is that there is much more to do.

In 2020, Starbucks Canada built its Anti-Racism Action Plan to hold itself accountable to be anti-racist and to support its broader efforts to advance inclusion, diversity, equity and justice. This plan includes:

Support for current and future partners

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Support for our communities&nbsp;

Educating within to be anti-racist

Zero-tolerance for discrimination

In&nbsp;everything Starbucks does in this work, the company&nbsp;strives to be grounded&nbsp;in transparency, accountability and taking meaningful action.&nbsp;Our work is far from complete, but Starbucks will not be a bystander. Ever.

Creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome has long been core to the Mission and Values at Starbucks.

Starbucks Commitment To Anti-Racism - Starbucks Canada

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Starbucks Commitment To Anti-Racism

As <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en/stories/2020/what-customers-need-to-know-about-starbucks-response-to-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starbucks continues to navigate COVID-19</a>, the company is focused on caring for the health and well-being of partners (employees) and customers, and doing its part to support the communities it serves.

To build on its <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2020/the-starbucks-foundation-supporting-community-response-and-resilience-during-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contributions toward COVID-19 community response</a> to date, The Starbucks Foundation has selected more than 400 organizations across Canada and the U.S. to receive grants in its third round of Neighbourhood Grants. These grants, which total $1.4 million, were informed and inspired by Starbucks partners who highlighted the causes and organizations uplifting their communities during COVID-19.

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