Starbucks and Boys & Girls Club Youth Unite

Starbucks employees are facilitating the Youth For Unity program for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside this summer. Regina Erickson, a supervisor at a Redlands Starbucks, and barista Stephanie Nunez-Rivera are teaching youth in Redlands and San Bernardino about culture using dance. In a recent session, they did the waltz and the merengue together, and Erickson spoke about the origin of the dance and the country it came from. “Do you know where you came from?” she asked Club members. “I want you to know where you came from. So we’re doing a different dance from a different place, and maybe one of these dances is from where you’re from. It’s good to know your background.” Another benefit to the program is the exercise, Erickson said. After the session, they served Club members Passion iced tea. “I’m hoping to diversify their minds in a musical way,” Erickson said. “Hopefully they find out information about where they’re from, and it helps them learn things about the world.” She said it’s fun to help Club members experience something new and feel they’ve accomplished something. And for some members, “Hopefully it becomes a hobby and a passion,” said Erickson, who used to be a professional ballroom dancer with Arthur Murray Dance Centers. The Club’s Youth For Unity program is aimed at helping youth cultivate individuality, build cultural identity and appreciate diversity. The dance sessions started in June and are running through the end of July. “This program has helped our youth and teens recognize and celebrate each person’s unique contributions, and Starbucks volunteer support comes at a perfect time when so much is happening in the world,” said Club Vice President Mark Davis.