Not everyone can say that their Starbucks barista loves his community as much as Jeff Law does. Jeff has lived almost his entire life in Stratford, married his high school sweetheart, raised his kids and now helps out with his grandkids, plus finds the time to pour his heart and soul into not only a cup coffee as a barista at the Barnum Avenue Starbucks, but also into his volunteerism. As a lifelong believer in the power of community, Jeff knows that nothing is accomplished alone. For the past three years, Jeff has applied for a Neighborhood Grants initiative through Starbucks.
The program gives Starbucks employees the opportunity to give back to the communities they live and work in. This year Jeff applied for the Grant for the third consecutive year, and because of his efforts, the Stratford Crier, which is part of Stratford Forward, was awarded a second $1,000 grant. Since 2019, Starbucks has awarded $25 million in grant funds across the world to worthy causes ranging from supporting youth programs to uplifting families.

We, at the Stratford Crier, are honored to have received such a gift from Starbucks. It is encouraging to know that a company as vast as Starbucks has believed in the power of local journalism. Rich Hanley, Media expert and professor of journalism at Quinnipiac, in an interview with Hartford Business said, “There will always be a place for newspapers in this state and country, regardless of their delivery system. The delivery system, though, of the present and future is clearly online. Physical newspapers will, over time, disappear, although not the mega- papers like the New York Times.” What makes a newspaper, a “good” newspaper? Is it those that you can hold in your hand, like the New York Times or the Connecticut Post? Or is a “good” newspaper one with good reporting, good news, and integrity?

Jeff, who also volunteers with the Stratford Volunteer Corps, shared with me, “I continue to be invigorated by the opportunities provided by the Volunteer Corps., and by the local reporting done by the Stratford Crier.” In a town with over 52,000 people, Stratford will always be a place where we collectively seek to help our neighbors when they are in need. Jeff has helped the Stratford Crier by applying for a grant that will help the paper create a stronger foundation from which to build a team of reporters to cover the news you care about, dear reader.
Nikkya Hargrove is a mom, wife, author, and owner of Stratford’s only bookstore. She enjoys cooking dinner for her family, binge watching (any) television show with her wife, and spending time experiencing life with her family and dogs.