New Leaf Bakery Cafe


Helping Women Succeed

The New Leaf Bakery Café is a social enterprise providing job training for women in need.  We help women develop marketable skills, build a solid resume of work experience and prepare for employment in the food service industry.

Our well-rounded approach helps women succeed personally and professionally by focusing on:

  • Interpersonal and teamwork skills

  • A solid work ethic

  • Communication and conflict resolution skills

  • Managing stress and building healthy relationships

Transitions values of Community, Justice, Respect, Growth and Wholeness create a unique environment for developing dependable confident workers. 

    Overview/History

    • Since 1999, the development of a social enterprise has been part of the discussions at Transitions. Initial money was granted by the city in 1999, to do a feasibility study, but the study was not pursued at that time.

    • There has been discussion and action around this idea during the intervening years. It was placed on a high priority list by the Program Committee of the Board of Directors.

    • Initial funding was received to pursue this study.   The study was originated by the Women’s Hearth administration funded by:

    • CDBG funds, through the city of Spokane

    • Sinsinawa Dominicans

    • Catholic Campaign for Human Development

    • Holy Family Hospital

    Sheila Fitzgerald, OP was hired in August, 2006 to coordinate the Social Enterprise Feasibility Study.

    This study helped determine that Transitions had the potential to launch a social enterprise with the aim of providing employment and/or job skill enhancement for the homeless and low-income women served by Transitions. The Feasibility Study was completed in December of 2006.

    A business plan and steps for implementing Bakery-Café as the centerpiece for a job training program for homeless and low-income women was completed by September 2007.

    In Collaboration with Catholic Charities a fully equipped kitchen was identified to serve as a Training kitchen. 

    Catholic Charities allocated space and included in architectural plans a retail, kiosk style outlet  in the Catholic Family Services Center located at 5th and Division.  We are looking forward to opening the New Leaf Bakery Café at this address in early 2009.

    Funding for this project is currently underway.   An initial 3 year grant was received from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

    The Training program began in June of 2008 in the kitchen provided by Catholic Charities.

    During the first 8 weeks of training, over 6000 lunches were prepared for the Boys and Girls Club of Spokane.   We are currently seeking other contract opportunities.

    We are offering Food to Go, Monday-Friday. 


    Partner with us

    We invite you to partner with us to help grow this community asset for Spokane.

    Wish List

    Looking ahead to 2010 we invite you to consider how you might support this newest endeavor Transitions.  Below is our wish list for products and supplies that will help us provide a quality program for women we serve and quality products for our customers who order "food to go" from our menu as well as thos who come tothe New Leaf Bakery Cafe for lunch or coffee and pastries. Donations may be dropped off at Transitions Administration Office, 1002 N Superior.  We are grateful for your support!

    Note: the items above are typically available at URM or Costco  

    • Bar towels
    • White industrial food service aprons
    • 2 Tortilla presses (available at Target)
    • Gallon size zip lock bags (case)
    • 2 quarters of pure vanilla
    • Case of butter
    • Gallon of olive oil
    • Gallon of vegetable oil
    • Sweetened coconut flakes
    • Powdered sugar
    • Brown sugar
    • Peanut butter
    • Salted, roasted peanuts
    • Dried cranberries
    • Sweetened condensed milk
    • Semi sweet chocolate chips
    • Dark chocolate chips
    • Pecans
    • #25 lbs. sugar
    • #50 lbs. flour / whole, wheat, and white 

    The New Leaf also needs the following equipment and kitchen items

    • Kitchen Aide Mixers (2) 5 Qt.
    • Crock Pots
    • Rolling pins
    • Industrial measuring cups/spoons

     

    Refer potential Participant


    Information sessions are arranged with each potential participant at the Women’s Hearth,

    920 W. 2nd Ave.

      Please call for an appointment.
    sfitzgerald@help4women.org or 496-0396

     

    Program Information

                           Program Information                       


     

    Employ our graduates

    To add your place of  business as a potential employer for women completing our program, email: sfitzgerald@help4women.org .  Please include name of business, contact person, phone numbers and email address.  We will follow-up with additional information.

     

     PRINTER FRIENDLY