When everything’s coming up roses, it’s easy to fall into a mindset of “us and them” with regard to those who have a criminal record. But as a recent Together We Bake graduate who committed a white-collar crime in a desperate ploy to escape battery at the hand of the common-law father of her children learned, the line between the two sides of the law […]
I am 67 year woman. I first heard about TWB from my baby sister who had gone through the program after she was released from incarceration. I had mentioned to my sister that I was interested in learning about food safety and getting my food handler’s license. My oldest son was interested in starting a catering business and I thought maybe I could join him […]
My name is Hassenet. I am from Ethiopia. I have lived more than two decades in America. I have had a serious health problem for a long time and have been away from work for about 16 years. So, it is hard for me to find a job. I have decided I want to start my own business! Together We Bake was suggested to me […]
My name is Zehara. I have been in America for 11 years. I am a housewife and the mother of four children. I came to Together We Bake through my community center. They offered this opportunity to me. I like this program very much. I especially like it because I have met so many different people. We have shared experiences together. We love and […]
Woman on the Rise: Lilly Monroe Sometimes the hardest thing for us to do is trust enough to let someone help, especially when we’ve made ourselves vulnerable before and gotten burned. Lilly Monroe came to Together We Bake in the spring after she served a four-month jail sentence and narrowly avoided additional time for breaking her probation. Skeptical that anyone would have her best interest […]
I am married. I have two children, I am so happy that God has given me these sweet children. Thank you God! Together We Bake came to my community and I heard about the program and decided to take the class. I have learned so many things about food safety, how to run a business, and customer service. So many things I have learned. I […]
I am a mother with three children. I live with physical challenges every day. I fell and broke my back, and I had to have surgery involving a rod, screws and fusions. I currently live at a recovery house in Alexandria. The program manager at my house noticed my passion for the kitchen and cooking, despite my injury. She recommended Together We Bake for me […]
When my father passed in 2005, I became homeless. I was a homeless person in PG County with no resources. They suggested I go to DC and DC suggested I go to Alexandria. I stayed in DC from 2005 until I came to Alexandria in 2014. I came to Davis Place and when I got to Alexandria Community Shelter I found other resources in Arlington. […]
I am a single mother of two grown children. I am also an addict and a felon. But today I am not defined by those words. I am a survivor. I am working to better myself. That is one of the reasons I’m in Together We Bake, to better myself. I heard about the program before I left the jail I was in. My favorite […]
