Sarah Bellum's Bakery & Workshop

Mission

At Sarah Bellum's Bakery & Workshop, we empower adults and young adults age 16 and up with Brain Injury (BI) to re-engage in the community and rebuild a sense of meaning, purpose, and identity through return-to-work opportunities in our functional rehabilitation bakery program.

Adults with BI learn transferable job skills, gain self-awareness, build self-confidence, and learn to self-advocate in our supportive bakery environment. Volunteer peer supports and rehabilitation therapists provide best practices and ongoing, community-based support to program participants.

Sarah Bellum's Bakery takes its name from the cerebellum, the coordination center of the brain.

Bottom Line

Your Give!Guide donation helps support Sarah Bellum’s unique program, offered free of charge every year to more than fifty adults with brain injuries to help them to reconnect with our community and rebuild their lives after a brain injury.

Brain injuries from a concussion, stroke, traumatic injury, infection, lack of oxygen, and many other causes can change a life in an instant – and affect over 3 million Americans each year. Yet there are few local resources to support adults with BI, especially after medical rehabilitation ends. 

Through meaningful, supportive return-to-work opportunities, we empower adults with BI to gain financial, social, and personal independence. We receive no governmental funding or support and offer our program to participants at no cost, so community support makes our work possible. Your donation of any size helps change lives, one cupcake at a time.

Quote

“When I started [at the bakery], I worked seated at the cash register and was in a wheelchair. My role was to greet customers, tell them about the mission of the bakery, and ring up purchases on an iPad. It was a perfect venue for working on my speech and honing my social skills. Both of these have improved significantly as a result. . .

Since then, adding baking shifts has really improved my capacity to work standing, and my efficiency has shown gains too. Now I am beginning to walk independently, and I am making cupcakes. I am now also able to travel to and from my shifts on public transport which builds my sense of independence. . .

It is so heartening to be receiving a paycheck again.” 

Dave N, survivor of a severe TBI at age 24

Incentives

First THREE Donors $1000+: Receive a private 90-minute Sarah Bellum’s Baking Party for 6.

First FOUR Donors $500-999: Receive a $100 Sarah Bellum’s Bakery Gift Card

First FIVE Donors $100-499: Receive a code for a FREE dozen Mini Cupcakes from Sarah Bellum's Bakery

All Donors $50-499: Receive a code for a FREE 4-Pack of Mini Cupcakes from Sarah Bellum's Bakery

Partner(s)

Thanks to our partners supporting us in this year’s Give!Guide campaign:

Brain Rehabilitation Network (BRN) a comprehensive brain injury rehabilitation program in Portland, OR.

Neighboring small businesses & friends located in SW Portland’s historic Multnomah Village.

Resilient Seed Healing Farm is a nonprofit 1/2 acre functional, restorative community farm growing organic fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs in Milwaukie, Oregon. Their mission is to cultivate resilience, community, and healing in people living with brain injuries through accessible farming.