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Too often, corporations simply write checks. That’s why this partnership is unique. It represents an investment – not a grant. We fully expect our investment to provide new and greater business opportunities. |
Ken Derr
Retired Chairman and CEO
Chevron U.S.A. |
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| Chevron |
Chevron, a San Francisco-based global energy
firm, has focused on low-income neighborhoods in nearby Oakland
to create businesses, job training, and educational opportunities
for economically disadvantaged African-Americans – opportunities
that benefit the corporation. The approach helps Chevron solve
business problems, such as how to help Chevron operators reduce
crime at inner-city gas stations, and increase sales through
better public safety. Through a strategic collaboration with
the nonprofit, Oakland-based Freedom Fund, the energy corporation
found applicants for its job training program at Chevron University
in nearby San Ramon. Trainees learn how to market, merchandise,
maintain inventory, and provide customer service at gas stations
that typically offer convenience store goods. The new operators
were assigned to a marginal, crime-plagued gas station in April
1998. During the first year of operation, occurrences of crime
were dramatically reduced and gasoline sales rose over 30 percent,
while store sales increased almost 100 percent. The station
has achieved steady increases in volume and sales in both 2000
and 2001. Local residents view the station as a community institution
and Chevron has since expanded its collaboration with the Freedom
Fund. Later in 1998, the nonprofit group located a second potential
service station site for the collaboration, another Oakland
vacant lot with two abandoned liquor stores. Chevron invested
$1.6 million to build a 2,800-square-foot facility, its largest
station in the city. Monthly sales of nearly 200,000 gallons
of gasoline at this station have exceeded expectations, nearly
matching the level of the first Freedom Fund station. This station
has also shown steady annual gains in volume. The Freedom Fund
has plans to develop a mixed-use housing and retail center next
door to this latest gas station. The center will generate more
traffic and business for Chevron, as well as provide homes and
jobs for local residents. Currently, Chevron is working to transition
both sites to fully owned and operated Freedom Fund businesses;
this will allow the Freedom Fund to truly become an entrepreneurial
entity with the collateral and experience to further their independent
development.
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