Since it first opened its doors on December 4, 1997 Starbucks has been serving Filipinos with the finest coffee experience. Fifteen years and two hundred stores later, its passion for coffee continues to flourish alongside its commitment to cultivate favorable change.

The company has always believed that businesses should have a positive impact on the communities they serve. This is founded on their corporate vision that there should be a balance between profitability and social conscience. Guided by this belief, Starbucks has partnered with nonprofit organizations to implement projects that help communities thrive.

One such community project is SparkHope. In collaboration with UNICEF, the program is aimed at providing early childhood care and education to several barangays all over the country.

SparkHope aims to address this issue by helping to expand the access of children to early learning. Launched in November of 2004, SparkHope has reached out to many communities, beginning with just nine to more than fifty-eight barangays by the end of 2011.

Fueling SparkHope is the Starbucks planner. Acquiring the coveted planner has become more than just a Christmas tradition as a portion of the proceeds goes to SparkHope. The Starbucks planner that you’ve been faithfully purchasing through accumulated stickers has helped thousands of young children.

In 2005, Starbucks planner proceeds have helped SparkHope put up 16 day care centers and 6 pre-schools in nine barangays all over the Philippines. By 2007, more than 1,500 children participated in home-based early childhood care and development (ECCD) programs. By the end of 2011 alone, SparkHope assisted in bringing ECCD services to 1,911 toddlers in the remote rural areas of Sarangani Province and the urban poor communities of Manila and Davao cities. In ten highland barangays, 652 toddlers belonging to the B’laan and K’lagan tribes were likewise reached. This was made possible by the establishment of home-based and on-horse programs.

SparkHope also provides for parent education services, helping improve child-rearing skills. Through this part of the program, parents are taught to foster the holistic development of young children.

Response to the program has been good, generating community interest, support and participation. If not for the efforts of SparkHope, these children could have been left unattended, roaming the dangerous streets and falling prey to criminal elements.

Sparkhope is just one of the many programs endeavored by Starbucks to help communities thrive. Starbucks takes to heart their commitment to do business responsibly, to effect positive change, and to make a difference in people’s lives.

So the next time you’re enjoying that favorite brew or beverage, or while you are writing on your prized Starbucks planner, be heartened by the knowledge that you are helping Starbucks help others.