Starbucks, Target, Walmart and More Unite to Hire 100,000 Young People
More than a dozen U.S.-based companies, including Starbucks, Target, and Walmart, have formed the "100,000 Opportunities Initiative." The coalition's goal is to hire or train 100,000 16-24 year olds "who face systemic barriers to jobs and education" by 2018, a segment of Americans defined as "opportunity youth."
The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative will host an employer-initiated Opportunity Fair & Forum for Opportunity Youth in Chicago on Aug. 13, where the participating companies expect to collectively train more than 2,000 youth and make at least 200 on-the-spot job offers.
The goal of being the nation’s largest employer-led coalition committed to creating pathways to employment for young people is shared by several leading companies: Alaska Airlines, Cintas, CVS Health, Hilton Worldwide, HMSHost, JCPenney, JPMorgan Chase, Lyft, Macy’s, Microsoft, Porch.com, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Target, Walgreens and Walmart. Over the next 30 days, the growing coalition will continue to welcome the participation of new companies who share a commitment to hiring Opportunity Youth.
In March 2015, Howard Schultz, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks, announced the company's commitment to hire 10,000 Opportunity Youth over the next three years. Starbucks has also formed a collaboration with its supply chain called LeadersUp, which focuses on hiring Opportunity Youth as well.
"Efforts like ours can’t succeed, however, unless companies are willing to hire these young people," wrote Howard and Sheri Schultz in an Op-Ed in The New York Times. "That’s why we’re also announcing the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative."
"This is not charity," continues the Op-Ed. "It solves a real business problem: According to one study, one-third of employers surveyed have trouble filling open positions because of talent shortages, and 43 percent say those shortages hurt their business."
The Schultz Family Foundation also announced committing $30 million to helping young people enter and advance in the work force.
According to The Aspen Institute, each year the overall cost to the United States from opportunity youth is over $250 billion - including lost revenue, earnings, and increased social services. The Aspen Institute’s Forum for Community Solutions will act as an intermediary for the initiative and The Aspen Institute will provide direct leadership, technical assistance, and programmatic support to launch the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative.
“The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative is creating a meaningful pathway to opportunity for thousands of young people – starting here in Chicago. With the right tools and resources, the next generation of Chicagoans can make a measurable impact in our community through civic engagement and strengthen our City’s economy. I am pleased that Chicago was selected to host the first hiring event, and I look forward to working with these companies to help solve a critical issue facing our neighborhoods and the young people who live there today,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
For companies interested in joining the effort, please visit www.100kOpportunities.org for more information. For young people interested in participating in the Opportunity Fair & Forum, please visit www.100kOpportunities.org for information about participating agencies.
The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative will host an employer-initiated Opportunity Fair & Forum for Opportunity Youth in Chicago on Aug. 13, where the participating companies expect to collectively train more than 2,000 youth and make at least 200 on-the-spot job offers.
The goal of being the nation’s largest employer-led coalition committed to creating pathways to employment for young people is shared by several leading companies: Alaska Airlines, Cintas, CVS Health, Hilton Worldwide, HMSHost, JCPenney, JPMorgan Chase, Lyft, Macy’s, Microsoft, Porch.com, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Target, Walgreens and Walmart. Over the next 30 days, the growing coalition will continue to welcome the participation of new companies who share a commitment to hiring Opportunity Youth.
In March 2015, Howard Schultz, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks, announced the company's commitment to hire 10,000 Opportunity Youth over the next three years. Starbucks has also formed a collaboration with its supply chain called LeadersUp, which focuses on hiring Opportunity Youth as well.
"Efforts like ours can’t succeed, however, unless companies are willing to hire these young people," wrote Howard and Sheri Schultz in an Op-Ed in The New York Times. "That’s why we’re also announcing the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative."
"This is not charity," continues the Op-Ed. "It solves a real business problem: According to one study, one-third of employers surveyed have trouble filling open positions because of talent shortages, and 43 percent say those shortages hurt their business."
The Schultz Family Foundation also announced committing $30 million to helping young people enter and advance in the work force.
According to The Aspen Institute, each year the overall cost to the United States from opportunity youth is over $250 billion - including lost revenue, earnings, and increased social services. The Aspen Institute’s Forum for Community Solutions will act as an intermediary for the initiative and The Aspen Institute will provide direct leadership, technical assistance, and programmatic support to launch the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative.
“The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative is creating a meaningful pathway to opportunity for thousands of young people – starting here in Chicago. With the right tools and resources, the next generation of Chicagoans can make a measurable impact in our community through civic engagement and strengthen our City’s economy. I am pleased that Chicago was selected to host the first hiring event, and I look forward to working with these companies to help solve a critical issue facing our neighborhoods and the young people who live there today,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
For companies interested in joining the effort, please visit www.100kOpportunities.org for more information. For young people interested in participating in the Opportunity Fair & Forum, please visit www.100kOpportunities.org for information about participating agencies.