The city of Spokane is filled with a variety of places that sell coffee and baked goods. But none of them are quite like New Leaf Bakery. What really makes this Bakery stand out are the people doing the baking.
New Leaf Bakery is a branch of Transitions, a local program with a goal to end poverty and homelessness for women and children in Spokane. The idea behind New Leaf specifically is to give women who would otherwise struggle to find a job, the opportunity for job training and work experience for up to six months.
“I think a big part of our success is the sense of teamwork and team building that women gain when working here,” Said New Leaf Program Director Jamie Borgan. “The women learn skills but they also learn what it’s like to be supportive and pay attention to the needs of others.”
In the past year, New Leaf has had 38 women come through their program and learn valuable work skills. The women work various jobs, from baking in the kitchen to working retail at their kiosk location each of which help to develop different skills. For the people at transitions, New Leaf bakery is more about making better people than it is about making better treats.
“What New Leaf really does is give people a chance to discover their strengths,” said Borgan. “Through different experiences and jobs, New Leaf shows it’s employees how talented and creative they really are.”
Guests can visit New Leaf’s Kiosk location in the Catholic Charities building on 5th and Division Monday-Thursday from 7:30-2. New Leaf Bakery also offers a full catering service to interested parties. For more information, call (509) 496-0396 or visit www.help4women.org
