A social enterprise is a cause-driven business that sells products or services. The entity’s goal is to maximize profits while improving a set of social objectives and serving the common good. For Seattle-based social enterprise The Pastry Project their intent is to address barriers to education and employment in the world of baking.
Founded in 2019 by long-time friends Heather Hodge and Emily Kim, The Pastry Project is a bakery and community space that offers a free 14-week baking and pastry job skills training program. Applicants for the training program are referred by Seattle-based nonprofits. The Pastry Project co-founders’ goal is to make pastry education and employment more equitable.
Funding for their training program comes from sponsorships, retail product sales, subscriptions, donations and paid classes. Working with community partners The Pastry Project also works with program trainees on job placement with more than thirty Seattle area bakeries, desert shops and grocery store partners. They provide real career opportunities in baking and pastry to those who otherwise might not have the financial ability or opportunity to pursue careers in the field.
“There is nothing more rewarding to us than graduating our students and helping them in finding great jobs,” says Hodge. In addition to their training program The Pastry Project is a real operating bakery and offers pastry kit subscriptions and take-and-bake cookie dough as well as private chef-taught classes. You can learn more and donate to support their good work at https//:www.thepastryproject.co