Starbucks Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Howard Schultz visited City of Westminster College’s Cockpit Theatre to meet a group of young people supported by youth charity The Prince’s Trust.
Starbucks Coffee Company is a great supporter of The Prince’s Trust and has pledged to raise £1 million for its work over the next three years. Howard Schultz was traveling with a group of Starbucks senior management, including Managing Director of Starbucks UK & Ireland Darcy Willson-Rymer.
Prince’s Trust staff, including Chief Executive Martina Milburn and Director of Marketing and Communications Paul Brown, attended with a group of young people who have turned their lives around with help from The Trust. These included Denice Zoretich, who successfully completed the 12-week personal development Team programme at City of Westminster College and is now a Young Ambassador for The Prince’s Trust.
The visit enabled the Starbucks team to learn more about the positive impact Prince’s Trust programmes have on the lives of young people. During a forum session at the College’s Cockpit Theatre, Prince’s Trust young people had the opportunity to tell their stories and describe how The Prince’s Trust has built both their confidence and career opportunities.
Howard Schultz recounted his own journey from a poor neighbourhood in Brooklyn, New York to building a global brand, describing how important it had been to find people who believed in him and gave him confidence. He also told his audience that although we may blame others for our background, ultimately we are responsible for ourselves.
Denice Zoretich, who had the opportunity to speak with Howard Schultz during the event, says: “I had been a little star-struck beforehand about meeting the CEO of Starbucks, but he was so down-to-earth that it impressed everyone. Hearing him talk about his background and approach to life has inspired me and I had the opportunity to thank him when I spoke to him.”
Since graduating from Team last summer, Denice, 19, has begun working at the Canadian High Commission in London – a job she says she had the confidence to apply for because of The Prince’s Trust. She adds: “I love my work as a Young Ambassador and will carry on spreading the word about The Prince’s Trust.”
The next City of Westminster College Prince’s Trust Team programme begins on 26 April 2010. If you are 16-25, unemployed and want to learn new skills without losing Jobseekers Allowance call 07920 723504.