Advocates of the “100,000 Opportunities Initiative”, realize how difficult it is for the disadvantaged, and unrepresented to succeed in achieving the American dream. Companies like Starbucks and Taco Bell are joining the initiative and pledging to create hope for those less fortunate. The mission is to open stores in underdeveloped areas, hire local residents ages 16 to 24 years old, and teach them that hard work is the key to a brighter future.

Starbucks announced that they will be opening stores in 15, communities across the U.S. that have historically struggled financially. The five stores expected to open in 2016 are in Ferguson, Missouri, Chicago’s south side, Jamaica neighborhood in Queens, New York, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Starbucks has promised that they will do this the right way by having an on-site training space at each location where those hired will be taught customer service and retail skills, just like any other Starbucks employee.

This widespread commitment to equal opportunity has created pathways to employment for hundreds of young people, and continues to give hope to people even when the odds are stacked against them.

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