An organization dedicated to helping at-risk youth has received a boost from a coffeehouse giant.
The Starbucks Foundation has provided a $7,500 neighbourhood grant to the Windsor Youth Centre, which is operated by the Downtown Mission.
The grant was awarded after a nomination was submitted by employees at local Starbucks locations, recognizing the Youth Centre for its work with young people battling substance abuse, homelessness, mental health issues, and other challenges.
"Every day, our partners [employees] support the communities and neighbourhoods that our stores are a part of. We’re committed to making each community stronger by listening to our partners, who know their neighbourhoods best," said Acting Starbucks Foundation Executive Director Aldrinana Leung in a media release. "This year, we saw the largest number of neighbourhood grant nominations to date, and the Starbucks Foundation is humbled to be able to support the people and organizations that make our communities better."
The grant will support the Youth Centre's drop-in program, which offers those aged 16-25 a safe place to find help, system navigation, and peer support for issues related to homelessness, hunger, mental health, addiction, gender and sexuality concerns, racism, and the justice system.
Starbucks has eight coffee shops and kiosks within the City of Windsor, with a ninth one in the works for downtown Windsor.
The Starbucks Foundation has awarded over 6,000 neighbourhood grants since 2019.
Complete information about the Windsor Youth Centre can be found on the Downtown Mission's official website.