“What I felt most was hope”: meet Kimberlyn, a refugee building a new life at Starbucks

When Kimberlyn Castillo first arrived in Spain after leaving her home in Venezuela, she felt overwhelmed. Although language wasn’t an obstacle – Spanish being her first language – she found herself thousands of miles from home, surrounded by all the unspoken rules and customs of a new and unfamiliar culture. Like so many other refugees, finding a job was one of Kimberlyn’s first priorities.
“Although I speak Spanish, adapting to a new culture and starting from scratch isn’t easy,” Kimberlyn reflects, “those first few months were full of learning, but also personal growth.”
Kimberlyn is one of more than 690,000 registered refugees in Spain, many of whom also have roots in Latin America. For refugees like Kimberlyn, a job promises more than just the stability of a paycheque – it’s a crucial first step to finding community and feeling at home in a new country.
Three years after first arriving in Spain, Kimberlyn is now a supervisor at Starbucks in Madrid, where she’s found community and discovered a love for coffee. Here’s how she got here.
Starting over
“I came to Spain in search of a more stable and safe life,” Kimberlyn explains, “in Venezuela the situation is very difficult – I decided to emigrate to build a better future for myself and my family.”
Venezuela is currently experiencing the largest displacement crisis in Latin American history. Since the crisis began nearly 8 million Venezuelans have been forced to leave their homes due to violence, poverty and shortages of food and medicine. Many of the refugees have had to leave more than just their homes behind, becoming separated from their loved ones. Kimberlyn feels she’s fortunate in this respect, “my whole family is here with me in Spain,” she says, “and they provide such incredible support.” Still, she admits her first few months in Spain were far from easy.
“People who have been forced to leave their homes and start again in a new country face challenges many of us can’t even imagine,” remarks Russell Butcher, Director – Strategic Programmes, Partner Resources EMEA, “when it comes to entering the job market, it can be unfamiliar territory. Many refugees don’t have an established professional network in their new country, so they can struggle to find job vacancies or connect with employers. That’s why Starbucks partners with NGOs for our hiring programme, so we’re able to reach refugees and help them to get that crucial foot in the door.”
Kimberlyn was put in touch with Starbucks through one of those NGOs, where she was offered pre-employment training and a job interview. “I learned about the company’s values and the tasks I would be performing day-to-day, so I felt like I received a lot of support from day one.”
Building confidence and community, one cup at a time
When she found out she got the job, Kimberlyn was thrilled. “I knew it was such a great opportunity for my professional development and that I would have stability,” she says, “what I felt most was excitement and hope.”
Starbucks was more than a workplace, to Kimberlyn it was an opportunity to meet new people, build a new community, learn new skills, and find a purpose. “What I enjoy most is the comradery and being a part of my team’s growth,” she says, “I love being able to contribute and learn every day.”
Before putting on the green apron, Kimberlyn enjoyed drinking coffee – almost three years later, she’s an expert. “I didn’t have as much knowledge about coffee as I do now. Since I’ve started working at Starbucks my interest in coffee has grown tremendously and I’ve learned to appreciate it in new ways,” she says. Working with Starbucks she’s gained a new education in coffee craft and her confidence continues to flourish. “I was surprised by everything that is behind a cup of coffee: the origin, the cultivation processes, the varieties, and how all of that influences the taste.”
In her Starbucks partners, she found a new support system. “Ever since I first joined Starbucks, I’ve had colleagues and leaders who have supported me, guided me every step of the way, and believed in me,” Kimberlyn says, “thanks to their support, today I’m a supervisor.”
“We understand that starting over in a new country can feel immensely isolating,” says Russell, “at Starbucks we see, time and again, that our partners form deep, meaningful friendships. Our stores aren’t just places to work, they’re a place to find connection and community. This sense of belonging is what allows people to thrive – especially those who have had to leave their community behind and start again.”
“Starbucks has allowed me to grow, not only professionally but also personally,” Kimberlyn adds, “it has helped me to gain confidence, develop leadership skills, and integrate into a new society.”
“Don’t give up”
At Starbucks, Kimberlyn has discovered passion and purpose – now she hopes she can help others who are on the same journey. “I want to continue growing with the company, keep training, and take on new challenges” she says, “I would like, in the future, to be able to support others who are starting from scratch like I did.”
To others following in her footsteps, Kimberlyn has an inspiring message: “don’t give up,” she says, “although the road is not easy, every step is worth it. You have to be patient, surround yourself with positive people, and trust that with work and perseverance, you can succeed. Don’t be afraid to start over.”
Learn more about Starbucks work with Tent Partnership for Refugees, a global network of businesses supporting refugees’ access to the labour market, here.