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BEN & JERRY's PartnerShop Program creates opportunities for disadvantaged youth

2. Human Rights

Diversity, equal opportunity, and fighting discrimination

Context

Ben & Jerry’s has been making the finest all natural ice cream since 1978 when grade school buddies Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield opened their first scoop shop in Burlington, Vermont.  Today, Ben & Jerry’s is owned by Unilever, and their packaged ice cream and novelties are sold in stores across the United States and in 29 other countries around the world.  Their mission consists of three interrelated parts:

Product Mission:  To make, distribute and sell all natural ice cream with a continued commitment to incorporating wholesome, natural ingredients and promoting business practices that respect the Earth and the Environment.

Economic Mission:  To operate the Company on a sustainable financial basis of profitable growth, increasing value for stakeholders and expanding opportunities for development and career growth for employees.

Social Mission:  To operate the company in a way that actively recognizes the central role that business plays in society by initiating innovative ways to improve the quality of life locally, nationally and internationally.

Objectives

- To help non-profit organizations with youth reinsertion

APPROACH

In their PartnerShop Program, Ben & Jerry’s team up with community-based organizations to help youth in difficulty build better lives.  How do they do this?

- A Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop is set up and run independently by a youth-serving nonprofit organization 

- The standard franchise fees and royalty fees are waived

- Additional support is provided such as job and entrepreneurial training for youth and young adults who may face barriers to employment

- As PartnerShop operators, nonprofits retain their business proceeds to support their programs

Here are two examples of PartnerShops:

- The first PartnerShop in the Pacific Northwest opened in October, 2004. This PartnerShop, owned and operated by New Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit organization serving Portland’s homeless youth, provides supportive employment and job training to help youth build skills which can help move them off the streets and into stable and positive living situations.

 In July of 2005, Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit opened the Woodward Avenue scoop shop, located in the heart of downtown Detroit. Goodwill empowers people who have disabilities and other barriers to employment to become independent and self-reliant. This mission is accomplished through a variety of training and work experience opportunities, and employment in the community.

CONTRIBUTION TO COMPANY PERFORMANCE

- Reinforces the image of a socially responsible company which has been the foundation of Ben & Jerry’s success

- Worldwide brand visibility in Partnershops

Benefits

- 191 young people were trained and supported in 2008 in eight United States Ben & Jerry’s PartnerShop scoop shops

- 82% of youth participating in the New Avenues for Youth PartnerShop training program are currently employed, pursuing post-secondary education, or completing their GED or HS Diploma
Country
United States

Mise à jour le 24/05/2016

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