Project Background:
This children’s home was founded in 1954. This children’s home houses children who have had to be removed from their own homes because they are not safe for them. The 72 children currently living at Beit Appel are aged 7-18. However, there is a smaller group of 16 children ages 3-14 who are there on emergency removal from their homes. They will remain until it is determined what the best situation is for them. In addition, there are another 45 children who receive social services from this home who are yet living with their own families. The goal is to prevent them needing to be removed from their families. The home seeks to provide a safe environment that also offers therapeutic services, and enriching activities.
Program Description:
As part of the desire to enrich the children and provide them with practical skills for life, the home would like to renovate one of their current rooms and turn it into a bakery. Please see the “before” photos below of the room that will be renovated.
The idea is to teach the children baking/cooking skills as well as teach them business skills. The hope is that this bakery will also be a source of income for the home as they develop the business and begin to sell outside their own community.
Working in a kitchen/business has many different levels of learning. Learning these business and practical skills gives the children greater independence and enables them to use all their senses while also developing their abilities, creativity, and confidence. It is also a therapeutic venture with a qualified instructor who has had years of experience in such endeavors working with youth at risk.
Program Goals:
The first year, the goal is to do the remodel and purchase the necessary equipment needed for the bakery. This first year, they would begin to work with the youth twice a week to develop the group for the future. All the items baked would be used at the children’s home for events and/or sold to staff as they develop to the point where this is possible.
The second year, all the activities in the first year would continue and they would begin to develop the business element. They would work on branding and developing business plans. The bakery would also be developed across from the relevant authorities and receive permits etc.
In the third year, the goal would be to market and sell the products outside the children’s home while continuing to provide for the children’s home as well.
Fundraising Goal:
- CAD $39,172 for the initial purchase of equipment/renovation of the bakery room at the children’s home.
- CAD $39,172 is requested each year for three years for the operational expenses of the bakery until it is able to provide enough income to survive on its own.
- Thank you so much for your prayerful consideration & support for this project of hope for marginalized children!
- Please add a note that your donation is for the Bakery Project in Children’s Projects with many thanks!
