OUTreach teams up with Starbucks to mentor homeless LGBT youth

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A partnership between Starbucks and the OUTreach Resource Centers will be kicked off this Thursday, Dec. 12 at the grand opening of the new Starbucks Bountiful store, 422 W. 500 South, Bountiful, from 4:30–7 p.m. Free Starbucks beverages will be served at the opening and OUTreach youth, volunteers, staff and board members will be there with mentoring information and sign-up.

OUTreach Resource Centers, an organization that works to save lives of Utah lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, and Starbucks Coffee Company have announced a partnership to provide mentoring to homeless LGBT and allied youth in Utah.  The mentoring program will focus on youth who are at high risk and match them with role models who will help to guide them to become healthy, effective, educated and employed adults through specialized OUTreach programming and mentor training.

“Starbucks is a natural, wonderful partnering organization. They have a strong commitment to the success of youth and a passion for diversity and equality, said Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen, executive director, OUTreach Resource Centers. “This new mentoring program will pair their resources and energy with evidence-based, cutting edge mentoring practices tailored for LGBT and homeless youth and allies. It’s exciting that we will be able to offer this program beginning in Northern Utah and then throughout the state by the end of 2014.”