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Armory Square Bakery Reopens with Fresh Goods and Fresh Start for its Employees

https://www.facebook.com/provisionsbakery/timeline

  Provisions Bakery has reopened its doors after a six-week renovation period. The Armory Square establishment has served goodies to its customers for the last 27 years while also serving its staff with an opportunity.

Access CNY Director for Mental Health Programs Ken Mack explains Provisions Bakery is not only a transitional workplace for people with disabilities.

“It also is a real valuable tool for individual recovery beyond gaining employment elsewhere. So, they may be working on all those work related skills, but coming to a place where they feel valued and respected and supported does wonders for their ability to see themselves as a valued, respected, supported individual.”         

Provisions Bakery is one of over 20 programs that Access CNY offers to people with developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries, and mental health issues. Director of Development Matt Seubert tells us during the renovations the staff did some undercover shopping.

“It was an opportunity for our staff to do what they call research which is basically go to other bakeries, try things out, see what’s working for others and really enhance some of the products that we have here in the bakery.”          

                                                                                            

Credit https://www.facebook.com/provisionsbakery/timeline
Dining area was also redone...mostly through community donations

  Among the new additions are a Provisions custom-blend coffee and cold-brewed iced coffee, as well as a new pepper jack bread and a spicy pumpkin bar. Everything is made from scratch at PROVISIONS, including, Mack says…the prospect of a new beginning.

“When they come to us we’re a welcoming, supportive environment that understands the struggles that they may be going to which may include their ability to understand how to work with other people in a stressful work environment, how to deal with transportation issues, learn the basic employment skills.” 

provisions_web.mp3
Access CNY's Ken Mack explains further the employment model that helps their clients.

Most staff members move on from Provisions within six months to two years, though some learn that competitive employment is not for them. Renovation costs totaled $160,000. Almost all funding for the project was locally sourced.

Chris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards.