Public art honoring military heroes to be located at SA Starbucks Veterans Community Store
SAN ANTONIO (DEC. 16, 2014) – Starbucks and Goodwill Industries of San Antonio commemorated the one-year anniversary of a unique partnership in support of veterans by unveiling plans for a new mural by distinguished, local artist Jesse Treviño.
The public art piece has been commissioned by Starbucks in honor of military heroes. It will be located at the Starbucks Veterans Community Store at 8227 State Hwy 151 in Westover Hills.
“We are so very excited that Mr. Treviño will be creating a vibrant piece of art honoring veterans,” said Marla Jackson, President and CEO of Goodwill San Antonio. “This will be a place where the community can find inspiration from art showcasing heroic work of men and women in the military.”
To see all the news coverage of the event, visit the following links at NOWCastSA.com, MySA.com and FoxSanAntonio.com.
In November 2013, Goodwill and Starbucks entered a partnership to assist veterans and their families in finding work through employment and education programs. Ten cents of every transaction at the Starbucks Veterans Community Store supports Goodwill San Antonio’s Veterans Outreach Programs.
Plans for the mural were unveiled at a celebration event on Dec. 15 at the Starbucks Veterans Community Store. Elected officials joined artist Treviño to announce the location for the art piece and unveil a panel with reproductions of his earlier work.
Distinguished speakers included Treviño along with U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, State Rep. José Menéndez, City Councilman Ray Lopez and Goodwill’s Jackson.
The art piece commissioned by Starbucks will be completed over a number of months. A temporary “placeholder” with the panel of previous art and information on Treviño’s military service will be displayed until he finishes the new work.
A Vietnam War veteran, Treviño has spent his life honoring the city he loves through the creation of breathtaking images that reflect the culture and people of his native San Antonio. His murals can be found on hospitals, parks and other public and private locations across the Alamo City.
San Antonio’s Starbucks Veterans Community Store employs seven partners who are military spouses, active duty or veterans themselves. The partnership between Starbucks and Goodwill is part of Starbucks’ strategic commitment to develop a comprehensive hiring platform for veterans and active-duty spouses.
Starbucks has focused on establishing an internal infrastructure to support at least 10,000 hires nationwide by the end of 2018. As part of this initiative, Starbucks will be opening a total of five Veterans Community Stores to help fund local nonprofit programs that support veterans re-entering the workforce.
Also in 2014, Starbucks supported Goodwill’s launch of a Veterans Assistance Center at the Goodwill store at 3730 N. Loop 1604 E. at Bulverde Road. Programs and services are tailored to veterans and their spouses.
Program offerings at the Goodwill Veterans Assistance Center help translate military skills into a meaningful civilian career, and include informational seminars, assessments of military skills that transfer to civilian work, resume and interview preparation and job search assistance.
Starting in 2015, Goodwill’s Veterans Assistance Center team will be on-site at the Starbucks Veterans Community Store at 8227 State Hwy 151 to assist veterans and their families.
Visit goodwillsa.org to learn more about training and services available to veterans.
About Goodwill Industries of San Antonio
Serving San Antonio since 1945, Goodwill San Antonio is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that helps change lives through the power of work. When you shop or donate at Goodwill, you’re funding educational programs and services that assist people in finding better jobs and building careers. Together with the support of our generous community, partners and employers, Goodwill provides employment, training, educational opportunities and related services to more than 50,000 individuals each year. In addition to operating 18 retail stores, more than 25 donation stations and 10 Good Careers Centers in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Seguin, Laredo and surrounding areas, Goodwill operates 3 Good Careers Academies and manages 18 contracts for services ranging from document management to grounds maintenance for the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.