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Mile High Youth Corps Selected to Receive
Starbucks Foundation Opportunity forYouth Grant
The $70,000 grant will help more than 200 youth make a difference in themselves and their communities through meaningful service opportunities and educational experiences.
DENVER – July 30, 2015 – Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) has been selected as a Starbucks Foundation Opportunity for Youth Grant recipient toward its Youth Career Development program, whichprovides young people with opportunities to gain the career skills and experience they need to compete for jobs in the current economy. MHYC will work closely with Starbucks and the Starbucks Foundationas it expands its job and skills training initiatives for youth. MHYC program areas focus on energy, water and land conservation, and affordable housing construction.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Starbucks to provide pathways to employment for opportunity youth in Colorado,” said Kelly Causey, CEO of Mile High Youth Corps. “For 23 years,MHYC has helped youth earn an income and on-the-job skills, while providing them with leadership development, career exploration, educational opportunities and life skills.”
Nearly 6 million young people across the United States are neither in school, nor employed, with many continuing to face barriers to meaningful educational and employment opportunities. These young men and women represent a huge, untapped opportunity for an infusion of productivity and creativity in the workforce. At the same time there are also challenges for employers to find qualified candidates.
The Starbucks Foundation believes in providing these young men and women with pathways to opportunity by investing in programs that equip them with the skills required for the changing global economy. Mile High Youth Corps teaches these skills while helping young people develop an interest in long-term civic engagement in their community. The foundation is focusing on a comprehensive approach and collaborating with nonprofit organizations on proven, as well as innovative, solutions to help young people get the skills and training they need to succeed.
Since 2008, Starbuckshas awarded more than $8 million to a multitude of non-profit organizations that have engaged more than 120,000 young people in community activities. Additional details about Starbucks community initiatives are available atStarbucks.com/Responsibility/Community.
About Mile High Youth Corps
Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization established in 1992 to give youth ages 16 to 24 a chance to earn an income and learn hands-on job skills while serving in their
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communities. In its first year, 20 youth served Denver neighborhoods through a single 10-week program. Today, MHYC engagesmore than200 youth (called Corpsmembers) every year through severalcomprehensive programs that integrate paid work experience on community service projects with leadership development, career and college exploration, and education.During our 23 year history, Mile High Youth Corps has grown from a small, seasonal, neighborhood-based organization to a comprehensive, year-round, regional program serving 15 counties from two regional offices in Metro Denver and the Southern Front Range of Colorado. Our mission is tohelp youth make a difference in themselves and their community through meaningful service opportunities and educational experiences.
About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at
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