Recipe for Success
Together We Bake wouldn’t exist without Stephanie Wright and Tricia Sabatini.
“There aren’t many programs for women out there,” Stephanie said. “So we decided to have one.”
Tricia and Stephanie came together in 2010 as running partners, but soon found they shared an interest in helping people. They began with participating in charity runs for organizations like Avon and Girls on the Run. While they were training for the Marine Corp Marathon in 2011, the idea of Together We Bake was born.
These chocolate chip cookies are deadly delicious. And they will be on sale, courtesy of Together We Bake, at DDG's GiveGood! Holiday Bazaar & Soiree, December 2.
Tricia had owned a homemade bakery business for more than 10 years. Stephanie had a background in social work. Both were looking to get back into the workforce after having families of their own, but they wanted to make a difference, too. These elements bumped together and eventually led to the establishment of Together We Bake in 2011.
To date, 72 women have graduated the program. Sixty percent are currently employed.
Many women are inspired and transformed through the programs. Hannah is one of them.
Years in prison can leave scars on people’s hearts. Some may fall into dismay and give up on themselves. A 2005 study from the National Institute of Justice, said that within five years of release, about three-quarters of released prisoners were rearrested.
Hannah said she was socially awkward when she was released from prison. By that time, her peers already had jobs or careers, while she seemed to be frozen at a certain age.
She took the advice of her caseworker, and turned over a new leaf. She joined Together We Bake. “[I] guess my perception of people had changed over [the] years. And when I met them, I was like, ‘this is awesome’. And they care so much.” (Next)