Since the beginning, Starbucks has been committed to creating a welcoming third place for our partners, customers and communities. From our early decision to offer healthcare to part-time workers to our commitment to support diverse hiring and equal opportunity for all — we have been dedicated to building a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Here are some of our milestones along the way:&nbsp;

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Since the beginning, Starbucks has been committed to creating a welcoming third place for our partners, customers and communities. From our early decision to offer healthcare to part-time workers to our commitment to support diverse hiring and equal opportunity for all — we have been dedicated to building a culture of inclusivity and belonging.

Starbucks Canada History of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion - Starbucks Canada

Starbucks Canada

Starbucks Canada History of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

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https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2022/starbucks-canada-history-of-equity-inclusion-diversity/

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National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) marks a day for us all to honour the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.&nbsp;At Starbucks Canada, we believe that taking the time to learn more about Indigenous Peoples, places and experiences is a step forward on the path to Reconciliation.

This <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2022/18366/">Indigenous History Month</a>, we have been inspired by the passion and continued engagement of our partners (employees) from coast-to-coast connecting with their Indigenous community members and allies to foster a community of belonging. Today, while we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, we also acknowledge the many partners proudly working to create a more inclusive future, representative of diverse identities and experiences.

An in-depth look at how one partner is advocating for Indigenous communities

A partner of seven years, Halifax-based District Manager Sara (she/her) has advocated for Indigenous communities for as long as she can remember. So, it came as no surprise when she joined the Indigenous Partner Network (IPN) when it was founded in 2020 to foster safe and supportive spaces for Indigenous partners and their allies. With over 500 members, partners like Sara regularly come together to connect, build allyship and continue to advocate for opportunities for and within Indigenous communities across the country.

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As part of the IPN, Sara has been able to strengthen ties to the local community while also addressing critical needs identified by local Indigenous community organizations. Sara also rallies her East coast community to come together for back-to-school backpack drives for Indigenous youth, food drives and so much more.

Uplifting communities in partnership with the Starbucks Foundation

One local organization Sara works with is the <a href="https://mymnfc.com/">Mi’Kmaw Native Friendship Centre</a>, a not-for-profit working to improve the lives of aboriginal peoples living in urban environments. Through social and cultural programs, the Mi'KMaw Friendship Centre supports the local Indigenous community with multiple initiatives including tackling food and housing needs.

Sara explained that the learnings go both ways, sharing how her team of partners has been able to get extra education like treaty education, which supports partner growth and move the march to Reconciliation forward. The organization also focuses on supporting Indigenous youths' personal and professional development—something Sara is personally invested in, through programming and resources like mock interviews, skill-building, resume-building and interview readiness workshops, mentorship conversations and beyond. It’s one of the many reasons she nominated the Centre to receive a Starbucks Neighbourhood Grant.

Neighbourhood Grants are investments that help build sustained local impact and inspire increased partner volunteerism with nonprofit organizations that work in our communities. Through this unique program, The Starbucks Foundation invites Starbucks partners – like Sara – to nominate a local organization that they are actively involved with in their community. 

“Through this Neighbourhood Grant and the IPN's long-lasting commitment to the betterment of Indigenous lives, we can be deliberate and intentional in providing resources, platforms and support wherever and whenever we can,” Sara shares. &nbsp;

By providing the support and resources to community-development focused organizations, the Starbucks Foundation’s Neighbourhood Grants program puts the power of a platform and room for advocacy in the hands of partners. It’s through this movement and with the work of our very own IPN that we can celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, every day.

National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) marks a day for us all to honour the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Turning acknowledgement into action and advocacy for the Indigenous community  - Starbucks Canada

Turning acknowledgement into action and advocacy for the Indigenous community 

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https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2022/turning-acknowledgement-into-action-and-advocacy-for-the-indigenous-community/

How Starbucks partners are fostering a sense of belonging through their differences

The month of May marks the start of Asian Heritage Month in Canada, making it the perfect time to learn more about the many achievements and contributions of Asian communities across the country and just how they have made Canada feel more like home. It is a call to action for all of us to come together to use our differences and unique experiences to create and foster community and belonging. In doing this, we can continue to create welcoming spaces, stop anti-Asian racism and discrimination, and truly celebrate each other.

This May, Starbucks Canada is proud to honour Asian Heritage Month and celebrate its partners (employees), who uplift their communities and proudly represent diverse identities and experiences.

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Starbucks partners share how they've embraced their differences and the differences of others to strengthen community and connection

Starbucks partners embrace opportunities to be as inclusive as possible, and this means recognizing the many identities within Pan-Asian communities and continually educating ourselves. Born out of a desire to foster meaningful connections between and elevate Pan-Asian partners and allies, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2021/behind-the-green-apron-meet-the-co-chairs-of-the-starbucks-canada-pan-asian-partner-network-who-want-to-change-the-world/">Starbucks partners and Canada Pan-Asian Partner Network</a> members share how their differences bring them together as one community of partners.

Jam left the Philippines in 2004 to work as a domestic helper in Hong Kong before making her way to Canada in 2009 under the Live-In Caregiver Program for childcare—the easiest path to Canada. Leaving home alone in hopes of planting roots elsewhere is a task that requires courage, and that is something Jam needed to tap into to embark on this new journey to a brighter future. "Filipinos take pride in family; it's always family first. I was so homesick for years. Leaving my home country was the hardest and the scariest thing I've ever done, but it is the best decision I ever made for myself", she shared. "Moving allowed me to start a new life and be the person I want to be."

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"What I love about Starbucks is that it feels like home. Before I joined Starbucks, I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere. My Starbucks community made me feel like I matter and that I belong. No matter who I want to be." — Jam, store manager

Summer came to Canada about a decade ago to gain work experience and learn English, and she decided to stay after she fell in love with just how much room there was to be herself. In Summer's case, the diversity of her surrounding community and the differentiating factors of all the cultures she was exposed to were the keys to her feeling like she belonged. "Here, we have many different people from different backgrounds, so I feel free from the pressure of following the majority in the society. Here, we embrace and celebrate our differences", she shared. Summer's appreciation for her Korean roots has grown deeper through this freedom.

"After I moved here alone, I had a hard time finding a place where I belonged, but since I started working at Starbucks, I've felt that I belong to something bigger. It's bigger than just a workplace. Starbucks gave me friends and mentors. And now, I want to create a store environment where I can provide that home to partners who moved here from overseas." - Summer, store manager

Being exposed to other cultures and becoming aware of his differences is what ties the appreciation of life closer to Jason's world and way of living. Having been raised in the Taiyuan region of northern China, he first experienced foreign cultures during a junior high field trip to Japan. This very eye-opening experience inspired him to explore other countries and cultures. "Getting to know different cultures helped me open myself up to making lots of friends from different backgrounds with different perspectives, cultures and practices," Jason shared about his deep sense of respect and value for folks from diverse backgrounds.

"Racism and discrimination still happen, and we have a long way to go as a society. But at Starbucks, I always feel like I belong and that my voice, no matter what language I choose to speak in, will be heard. Over the last few years, I've trained my new partners with this in mind: No matter what background we come from, we will always have a safe and welcoming space to share our unique stories and connect over a cup of coffee." — Jason, assistant store manager

Born and raised in Mauritius before successfully pursuing a bachelor's in Business Management in Melbourne, Camben made his way to Canada for love—to be closer to his then-girlfriend, now wife. Living in different countries allowed Camben to learn about and embrace diverse cultures, which empowered him to experience what it's like to be a part of a new community that they were able to form. "It also gave me cultural awareness and acceptance, which helped me break down cultural barriers while interacting with people of different backgrounds," he shared.

"What I love about Starbucks is being able to work in an environment where diversity is top of mind and the sense of belonging that comes with that. I feel supported and mentored, and empowered to actively live by the mission and values to be a better person." — Camben, store manager

With community at the center of all that he does, meet Kal, the Starbucks partner known for his commitment to uplifting those around him

From a very young age, Kal—a Starbucks partner of Filipino and Spanish descent—moved around quite a bit, from the Philippines and Japan to Korea and Vancouver, before eventually landing in Calgary. Though these moves meant that he had to restart a few times, he sees his exposure to various cultures as the silver lining he's grateful for. "We've been around the block, but I've been exposed to many cultures, and for that, I'm thankful."

His mother successfully planted new roots for her family through a program similar to what is offered via <a href="https://ecssen.ca/">ECSSEN Career School</a> (ECSSEN), so he's always had a passion for community empowerment initiatives. He spent much of his youth tutoring and volunteering, some of which was done through an ECSSEN program alongside his family.

His passion and awareness of ECSSEN were reignited when he found out that some of his store's <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2021/starbucks-national-foodshare-expansion/">FoodShare</a> donations were going to ECSSEN. <a href="https://ecssen.ca/">ECSSEN</a> is a Canadian non-profit organization that helps immigrants and youth gain work experience and skills through workplace programs and partners with agencies to help immigrants adjust to society through volunteering and counselling. Kal believes in the organization so much that he's even referred a new partner from his store location to ECSSEN's programs. As a member of Starbucks Canada's Pan-Asian Partner Network, Kal has advocated for diverse, inclusive, accessible, and equitable environments and spaces in and out of the shop. So, when the opportunity arose, he naturally began his effort to secure a Neighbourhood Grant for ECSSEN.

<a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/the-starbucks-foundation/">The Starbucks Foundation's</a> Neighbourhood Grants program supports grassroots, community-led charities through catalytic investments in the form of small grants that range from $1,000 to $10,000. Through this unique program, The Starbucks Foundation invites Starbucks partners to nominate a local organization in their community to help build sustained local impact and inspire increased partner engagement with their communities. Since 2019, Starbucks partners have helped more than 3,500 organizations across North America, amounting to more than $7.5 million in grants.

Why ECSSEN was a natural fit

"When we think of our Mission and Values as Starbucks partners, ECSSEN aligns most with my understanding of these and my personal beliefs," he shared, speaking to how natural it felt to help those who helped him and his family in the past. Knowing first-hand the challenges that often come with adjusting to a new space, Kal saw himself in the many people that ECSSEN helps and uplifts. He's prioritized supporting critical organizations that ensure everyone can feel a sense of belonging. "I always appreciate things that can take someone from alienation and isolation to acceptance," he shared.

Beyond the Neighbourhood Grant that he secured, Kal also makes personal donations whenever he can and is looking to get more involved with ECSSEN's initiatives again now that he's done school. "After graduating and being done with school forever [haha], I want to focus on advocating for diversity, representation and inclusion through my work. I started a production company with my close friends. We're starting slowly, focusing on our local community northwest of Calgary, but I want to expand. Maybe I can even produce something for Starbucks one day".

Celebrating community, diversity and belonging during Asian Heritage Month - Starbucks Canada

Celebrating community, diversity and belonging during Asian Heritage Month

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https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2022/17946/

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

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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https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2021/starbucks-commitment-to-anti-racism/