AKRON, Ohio — Months after opening House Three Thirty in Akron, the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) and Starbucks hosted a release for a "first of its kind" Community Store.
According to a release, Starbucks Community Stores "focus on helping provide economic opportunity in rural and urban communities through local hiring, partnerships with local artists and nonprofits, and intentional dedicated space for communities to come together for events." All proceeds from the store benefit the LeBron James Family Foundation.
Additionally, all partners (employees) at the store are I PROMISE students, parents, teachers, and other family members. This forms a new model in which Starbucks will be working with a nonprofit through a Community Store in order to maximize the company's impact in the community.
On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, the LJFF and Starbucks hosted a two-day activation of the store with volunteers packing school supplies for the I Promise School and a formal dedication event attended by Akron Mayor Daniel Horrigan, LeBron’s mother Gloria James, LJFF Executive Director Michele Campbell, Starbucks store leaders, local elected officials and members of the Akron community.
"We're excited to see the impact our Starbucks Community Store is already having in the Akron community from our Team Members that work there to each and every customer that walks through the door. Through our unique job training, we're setting our Team Members up to be in charge of their futures while learning hands-on skills and serving their community in a whole new way,” Campbell said in a release. “We’ve already seen this location become a key part of peoples’ daily lives, and we’re excited for that to continue and grow.”
In March, the LJFF opened House Three Thirty, a renovated apartment complex which is now designed for job training, family financial health programs, tourism, and a safe place to learn. The house is an extension of James' I Promise School, which first opened in 2018.