People with all abilities find opportunities at bakery | News

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Studies have found that it is more difficult for people with disabilities to get a fair shake in the job market, especially in a slow economy.

But a Portland bakery is a giving people with all abilities a chance to learn new skills that could lead to job opportunities.

30-year old Molly Bushender loves to bake. But she never imagined she would be working in a commercial kitchen.

Bushender is intellectually disabled. Under the guidance of other bakers at Bomb Diggity Bakery, she whips up pies, cookies, bread and muffins. Skills that has improved bushender's self esteem and independence.

The bakery shares space and a kitchen with Local Sprouts Cafe, which sells the bakery's items. Bomb Diggity Bakery is an program extension of momentum, which provides services for people with intellectual and physicial disabilities. Dennis Strout is Momentum's Executive Director.

"The bakery employs people of all abilities, with or without disabilities. It's a beautiful thing. It's not a special program we are a business and we hire the best person for the job," said Strout.

Bushender came up with the recipe for 'Elvis bars' -- part chocolate, bananas, peanuts and gluten free pretzels.

"She's proven herself she could in turn take what she has learned here an work in any commercial bakery and come up to speed and be able to fight right in," said Strout.

"I am selling items that are out in the bakery and people love them," said Bushender.

Her bars are a big hit with customers and a possible stepping stone to new horizons.

Bomb Diggity Bakery is hosting a benefit evening on Friday March 16th from 5:00pm to 10:00pm at Local Sprouts Cafe at 649 Congress Street in Portland.

The proceeds will go to the Robbie Foundation, which raises money to provide adaptive equipment, assistive technology and therapy treatment not covered by insurance, for families of children and young people with all disabilities. For more information you can go to http://www.robbiefoundation.com For more information on Momentum and it's programs, including Bomb Diggity Bakery you can go to http://www.momentumme.com.