Greyston served more than 2,800 Yonkers residents through an array of results-driven programming designed to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency. A detailed study conducted last year revealed that our programs truly create a measurable, long term impact within the community: for example, Greyston Bakery – a world recognized social enterprise, paid nearly $1.2 million in salaries to our Open Hire employees while saving over $1 million in taxpayer funds through reduced recidivism.
Greyston’s Workforce Development program trained over 120 individuals, with graduates achieving job placement in a variety of in-demand fields that included Culinary Arts, Building Maintenance, Security Guard, Home Health Aide and more. Our fall 2013 WD graduation saw 59 clients obtain their certificates and was attended by local, county, and state officials who praised the program as a key economic and workforce development initiative within the city of Yonkers.
Greyston’s NAEYC-accredited Child Care Center provided high-quality, affordable child care to more than 70 children, and our Community Gardens program served more than 2,000 through our six garden sites and our environmental education initiatives. In 2013, the program piloted a new initiative in which youths grow and sell produce, learning valuable entrepreneurial skills while gaining a green thumb. And, of course, we launched a great new website, www.greyston.org, that communicates Greyston’s story in an easy to navigate way that makes buying brownies and supporting Greyston easier than ever.
And, 2014 looks even brighter! I am proud to say that Greyston was just awarded
a grant from the New York State Department of Labor to expand our Workforce Development program which now provides the nationally-recognized Work Readiness Credential and has also added Certified Nursing Aide and EKG/Phlebotomy Technician as new job training tracks.
The Bakery has launched a new cookie product in Whole Foods that hasreceived rave reviews. As we work to ramp up production, our expectation is that we’ll be creating even more new jobs!