Page 183 - The Starbucks Experience

PRINCIPLE 5

national success story. In 2001, only 22 percent of fourth-
grade students were reading at their grade level; in 2004, that
score quadrupled to 88 percent!
Wendy Fouks, literacy specialist at Grandview, says, “The
impact the Starbucks partners had as tutors in the lives of
these kids is priceless. Their consistent, caring presence made
the difference for our children. Ironically, I think our kids may
have made a difference for the volunteers, as well.” Wendy
gives an example of the rewards experienced by a particular
Starbucks volunteer. “Adrienn was from Europe and had a bit
of an accent. When she first came here, she seemed concerned
that she might not be effective at reading with our kids. But
as she went along, she gained confidence in her ability to com-
municate effectively with the children. I think it gave her and
all of the volunteers a sense that they were contributing and
168 making a difference for the future lives of the children.”
While many can volunteer, Wendy suggests that few have
assumed the level of responsibility shown by the Starbucks
partners. “Starbucks staff were reliable. Volunteerism is a
part of their culture—their identity, if you will. You could
count on them to be there when you expected them. It has
been an amazing relationship.”
Not only does this type of volunteer involvement show
people in a community that you care about them, but it also
gives employees the opportunity to get to know one another
better—both inside and outside the company. Paul Board-
man, district manager in the Vancouver region and one of the
volunteers in Wendy’s program, shares, “Most businesspeo-
ple are busy, but these volunteer contributions are important.
I find in my stores that our partners feel great about con-
tributing. Sometimes we just need to give our people the
opportunity and let it go.”