“I was an everyday Starbucks drinker,” exclaimed coffee aficionado Lucia Zuniga. “When I discovered this opportunity I thought, why not fulfill a dream and become a Starbucks barista? I went straight to the Pathways orientation.” Fueled by a newfound commitment, excitement, plus her favorite caffeinated drink, she “espresso-d” through the steps to make that dream come true.
A wife and mother of four children, ages eight to six months, Lucia said that she lacked the discipline it took to hold a job. A social worker encouraged her to complete her high school education and guided her to the REACH Center at Goodwill to get her GED. While there, Lucia picked up a brochure outlining the training courses offered. Barista training immediately caught her eye. “I was on the waiting list to start my GED. But I discovered I could do the Barista training right away, so I decided to do both.”
Besides becoming an excellent barista, this Tacoma native said she gained other useful skills. “I’m shy, but I built new confidence in the class. I learned all about coffee and now I can talk to customers about it. And tea, too!”
She also learned a new sense of responsibility. “I decided I was going to treat the Barista program like a job. I had days I wanted to skip class, but I was determined to learn responsibility. It was one of my goals. I have that confidence now. I know the meaning of responsibility, which I’m taking with me, using it in my life and with my kids. With work, the customers come first. You know they’re waiting for their favorite coffee.”