Sweet Treats & Second Chances for Bloom Bakery
Bloom Bakery, a social venture of Towards Employment, announced today the launch of their Crowdrise Fundraiser “Sweet Treats and Second Chances” to expand their catering and wholesale business. The campaign will run for 40 days, and has a goal of raising $25,000.
“More than 3000 people come to Towards Employment every year to work on their career pathway – and Bloom Bakery, a social venture owned by Towards Employment, is one of the ways Clevelanders with barriers to employment can build a career and start advancing,” said Jill Rizika, executive director of Towards Employment. “We have the incredible opportunity to expand Bloom’s wholesale and catering business which supports new jobs at Bloom, and in turn grows job placements and advancement opportunities beyond Bloom.”
In order to take advantage of these opportunities in wholesale and catering, Bloom is launching a Crowdrise fundraising campaign to raise the $25,000 that would support a sales position and customized equipment to meet the new opportunities and open the door to future possibilities.
Launched in 2016, Bloom Bakery focuses on preparing and selling the highest quality food, all while helping Clevelanders find meaningful employment and a path to self-sufficiency. Bloom does this by preparing people who face barriers to employment with a career in culinary arts with training; producing delicious baked goods, deli sandwiches, salads, and soups using the freshest ingredients at two cafes in downtown Cleveland; and creating meaningful career opportunities for Towards Employment graduates beyond Bloom so Greater Cleveland can prosper. Since its launch, more than 50 Towards Employment graduates have benefited from the opportunities at Bloom. Bloom Employee Charmin, featured in short video produced by The Story Is, says: “When no-one else would give me a job – they did….if you take a step towards them, they (Bloom Bakery and Towards Employment) will take three steps towards you.”
To donate to or join the campaign, visit