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Photo courtesy of Together We Bake
Together We Bake
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Photo courtesy of Together We Bake
Together We Bake
Collida at Together We Bake
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Photo courtesy of Together We Bake
Together We Bake
(Left to right): Jeanette, Janelle and Sarah at Together We Bake
Butter. That’s the only ingredient the founders of Together We Bake will confess is in their irresistible chocolate chip cookies. The rest is a secret.
But ask one of the nonprofit’s founders or participants at the Del Ray Farmers Market, and they’ll tell you there’s a whole lot more that goes into those cookies, granolas, trail mixes and apple chips.
The products are the delicious fruit of an organization that’s focused on empowering women who have been previously incarcerated, homeless or otherwise disadvantaged.
While they bake and mix, the women glean culinary and social skills that will help them find long-term work and transition back into society.
Since 2012, more than a hundred participants have graduated from the program, which also includes training for the ServSafe exam for food preparation and applying for jobs while addressing other obstacles to employment.
In 2016, Together We Bake merged with Fruitcycle, a social enterprise that had hired TWB graduates to produce locally sourced snacks. This partnership added apple and kale chips to the nonprofit’s lineup of products.
We talked to Fruitcycle founder and TWB’s co-director Elizabeth Bennett-Parker about what it’s like in the kitchen, located off South Washington Street.
Why does baking work well for participants?
There’s something actually very therapeutic, especially about baking cookies—making dough, mixing dough. There’s a sense of pride that you get making something and knowing it’s delicious and watching other people enjoy it. All of that process is empowering.
Also, food service can be a good fit for folks without much work experience.
What does the program entail?
The women are here at our headquarters from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday getting that hands-on food production experience in the kitchen. They also help with deliveries or social media and, in the afternoons, train for their ServSafe exams.
In addition, we have empowerment and life skills groups that deal with topics like communication styles, trauma and triggers — a lot of things that help develop confidence and strong support systems.
Outside of program hours, we pair each woman with a job counselor on resume writing and searching and applying for jobs.
Once women graduate, we have an alumni support system, so we have a group dinner or activity every other month and everyone is invited to come back.
How can people participate?
You can order products—we’re known for our cookies and granola—through our website, new.togetherwebake.org. We’re also at the Del Ray Farmers Market and the Whole Foods Market on Duke Street.
You can sign up for our newsletter to learn about upcoming graduation ceremonies and fundraising opportunities.
