Together We Bake

With the support of TWB staff members, Team Members learn and practice strategies that address chronic substance use and trauma histories, as well as mental health issues. By learning to manage these challenges, Team Members experience improved well-being and stability. The program goals are outlined below.
85% of Team Members will complete and graduate from the 8-week job training and personal development program.
70% of Team Members will gain employment within six months of graduation.
60% of alumni Team Members will engage with post-program services every quarter.
85% of Team Members who take the ServSafe exam will receive a passing score.
50% of alumni Team Members will sustain employment for at least six months.

TWB provides an 8-week workforce and personal development program three times a year and a specialized 6-week program for Spanish-speaking women once a year. Sessions run Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM, with a cohort goal of 12 women per session. In 2025, TWB aims to recruit and train 45 underserved women in the Washington, DC metro area while continuing post-program support for 150 alumni.
At the heart of TWB is a small baking business where Team Members gain hands-on experience in food production, safety, and business operations. Sixty percent of TWB staff are alumni, serving as mentors and role models, offering guidance and inspiration through their own growth journeys. These staff members play a key role in curriculum development and program management, ensuring a supportive learning environment.
In TWB’s industrial kitchen, Team Members learn food handling skills and produce baked goods such as cookies, granola, and trail mix for sale. Guest chefs provide specialized instruction in areas like artisan bread, pastry, and knife skills. Team Members also earn the ServSafe Food Protection Manager’s Certification, a nationally recognized credential that enhances job competitiveness in the food industry.
Beyond technical training, TWB offers financial literacy sessions through a partnership with Arlington Federal Credit Union. Volunteers lead budgeting, credit repair, and financial planning workshops, equipping women with essential money management skills.
Leadership and business skills are integrated into the program. Team Members participate in packaging and fulfilling orders, inventory management, customer service, sales, and social media content creation—gaining experience that translates into broader career opportunities.
Recognizing that many participants have experienced trauma, TWB fosters a safe, supportive space where women can build self-awareness, confidence, and resilience. Staff lead empowerment-based discussions and activities focused on positive coping skills, self-esteem, and peer support. For many, TWB provides the first environment where they feel truly safe and connected to a community of women with shared experiences.
Each Team Member is paired with a trained volunteer Job Counselor who assists with career planning, résumé development, interview practice, and job applications. This personalized support helps participants secure meaningful employment and long-term career growth.
TWB’s commitment extends beyond graduation. Alumni receive continued support through one-on-one meetings, calls, texts, and a private Facebook group. Regular outreach connects them to job opportunities, community resources, and networking events. TWB alumni gatherings strengthen these bonds, ensuring that no woman has to navigate her journey alone.
By combining hands-on training, personal development, and ongoing mentorship, TWB empowers women to achieve stability, confidence, and success in their careers and lives.

Together We Bake was founded in 2012 to create pathways to self-sufficiency for women experiencing barriers to employment. Together We Bake’s mission is to provide a comprehensive workforce training and personal development program to help women gain self-confidence, transferable workforce skills, and invaluable hands-on experience which will allow them to find sustainable employment and move toward self-sufficiency. In the first year of operation, Together We Bake (TWB) piloted and launched a workforce training program that served 20 women. The organization steadily grew and in April 2015, TWB earned 501c3 status. In 2016, TWB acquired Fruitcycle; a successful business that turned “ugly” produce into healthy snacks. The integration of Fruitcycle expanded the product offerings and distribution channels for TWB products. In 2018, the organization expanded to better meet demand and began offering a fourth training cycle annually.

Since the organization’s inception, 189 women have graduated from the program. Eighty four percent of women who have started the program have graduated. Ninety percent of graduates have earned a national certification (ServSafe). Despite significant barriers to employment, 70% of all graduates were employed when surveyed in January 2020.

TWB has been recognized as an innovator due to the organization’s entrepreneurial design and quality outcomes. Senator Tim Kaine visited TWB to learn about the program’s impact on recidivism. TWB was included in The Catalogue for Philanthropy as “one of the best” small nonprofits and recognized by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce as the "Best Non-Profit of the Year" in 2018. TWB has also been featured in news outlets including WUSA’s Great Day Washington, NBC 4's Sunday program, WJLA's Good Morning Washington, Comcast Newsmakers, and NPR.

TWB embarked on a Strategic Planning Process in Summer/Fall 2018 to map out the next three to five years of the organization’s growth and development. TWB board and staff assessed the current state of the organization and its external context, envisioned the future and developed key strategic goals and objectives. The priorities identified through the strategic planning process are as follows.

Focus Area: Grow Revenue Streams
Goal: Increase contributed funding and sustainable revenue, especially earned income.

Focus Area: Excel in Program Execution
Goal: Enhance program partnerships and recruitment, and explore program expansion and evaluation.

Focus Area: Enhance Post-Program Supports
Goal: Improve post-program services, including employment and education opportunities and extension services.

Focus Area: Expand Operational Capacity
Goal: Grow internal capacity through staff size, training, and effective use of volunteers.

Focus Area: Raise Awareness
Goal: Build TWB Street Credibility and raise awareness of pertinent issues at local and national levels.

Together We Bake is making progress toward each of these focus areas.

In 2020, Together We Bake (TWB) plans to recruit and train at least 50 women in need, along with
providing post-program support to at least 100 alumni Team Members. 2020 is another growth year for TWB
with a focus on deepening our program reach through piloting a Spanish speaking cohort and adding a Digital
Literacy component to the existing program.