Greyston Mandala

The Greyston Story of Successful Urban Community Development: A Model for Zen Houses

History

Steven Brown, Pres.

The Greyston Bakery was founded in 1982 by Zen Master Bernie Glassman in Yonkers NY. The Bakery produced high end pastries for the best restaurants in Manhattan, provides Brownies for Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and provides jobs for the poorest members of Yonkers Community. The Bakery has growen into a 6 million dollar business with more than 75 employees.

Success of the Greyston Bakery gave rise to the Greyston Foundation, a 13 million dollar integrated network of for-profit and not-for-profit entities providing jobs, workforce development, low income housing, supportive services, child care, after school programs, comprehensive HIV health care, housing, a gourmet bakery business and community gardens.

Since 1991, Greyston Foundation, has developed over 200 units of affordable housing and $48,597,735 in real estate projects in Westchester County, N.Y. with another $25,000,000 in projects underway.

The Greyston Foundation is recognized as a national model of community economic development and successful “social enterprise” and the Greyston Model became a “Best practice” example of social enterprise and is studied in major U.S. business schools including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford University and New York University. The Zen Houses are based on the Greyston Model.

Greyston Economic Development Programs

Social Enterprise Business Development

Greyston PathMaker Program

Spirituality

  • Tolerating Differences (Diversity Training)
  • Tapping into one’s innate wisdom.
  • Functioning as a member of a community

Resources

  • Personal Accountability.
  • Personal Health Training
  • Financial Literacy
  • Workforce Preparedness

Study

  • Life Skill Education
  • Communication & Conflict Resolution Skills
  • Training on How to Negotiate “The System”

Service

  • Right Livelihood Skills
  • Citizenship Skills
  • Transforming Suffering into Wisdom

Integration (Relationships)

  • Making & Keeping Relationships
  • Training in Human Sexuality
  • Artistic & Creative Expression

Workforce Development

  • Job Training
  • Alternative Pathways for Young Adults
  • Family Child Care Training

Affordable Housing

  • Rentals
  • Home Ownership

Child & Youth Services

  • Child Care Center
  • After School Programs
  • Yo Kidz Program

Health & Family Services

  • Maitri Center
  • Tenant Services Programs

Urban Gardens Program

Greyston Mural

Created by Folks Served by Greyston