The nonprofit Greyston Foundation, which provides employment for individuals who want to work regardless of their background through its bakery and also has other programs to help people find steady employment has opened new corporate offices at 20 S. Broadway in Yonkers.
At a Sept, 27 ribbon-cutting, Greyston’s CEO and President Joseph Kenner, said, “For 41 years Greyston has been unlocking human potential through inclusive employment. It began with a bakery and a Buddhist and Open Hiring, the no questions asked, no resume, no background check form of hiring that began at the bakery. We see the bakery as the incubator of Open Hiring, and through the foundation we are leveraging that knowledge, sharing our insights and practices with businesses globally.”
Among those attending the ribbon-cutting were Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Westchester County Office of Economic Development Executive Director Bridget Gibbons, Yonkers Council Majority Leader Tasha Diaz and County Legislator Symra Brandon.
Spano said, “Open Hiring has shown the world that if given a second chance people can really soar and reach their full potential. You’re showing the way so that other companies who see your success and can build on that and maybe show us an even better way.’’
In addition to office space, the new facility has two classrooms that will be used for workforce education programs. There also is a wardrobe space where job seekers can be outfitted with business attire to help improve their appearance when they go out on job interviews and ultimately begin work assignments.
Greyston reported that in just the last three years along with its partners it has created more than 5,552 job opportunities and trained more than 450 people through its workforce development programs.
Gibbons said that Greyston currently was working with the county on a job fair for the formerly incarcerated.
“Not only does the Greyston Employment Opportunity Center create pathways to success through workforce development and training programs, it is also scaling the adoption of inclusive hiring throughout businesses in America,” Gibbons said. “We are proud that Greyston calls Westchester County home and look forward to supporting Greyston in any way the county possibly can.”
