Chapelwood Foundation Impact
The Foundation funded Belong Bakery $3,000 which was used to help pay a part-time pastry chef to assist in producing our baked goods for special orders and catering orders.
Belong Bakery's Story
The story of Belong Bakery is inspiring and illustrates how one individual can see a need and plant a seed that builds a community of love, laughter, and a sense of independence. Belong Bakery’s seed was planted when Kim Brown’s daughter, Ellie, was diagnosed with IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) at a very young age. Kim said, “God placed Belong on my heart when I discovered the lack of opportunities Ellie would have after graduating high school.” Kim recognized that her daughter, along with so many other young adults with IDD in the Memorial community, needed a way to transfer successfully from high school into the real world.
Belong Bakery’s journey began in Ellie Brown’s kitchen, where six friends with IDD prepared Sunday dinners
for the community. The overwhelming demand for their meals inspired Kim to seek support and funding in the Memorial community, leading to the expansion of their operation. What was once a small kitchen endeavor has now blossomed into a bustling storefront business, with a team that has grown from seven to almost 30 individuals with IDD.
The emphasis on developing people rather than just employees is a key aspect of Belong’s mission. The
scheduled shift lunches and meetings encourage employees to socialize and build deeper relationships.
They also strive to provide training and certification that will give them transferable job skills, real-life skills, and experience and focus on the transition from high school to adulthood.
The partnership with Chapelwood, particularly through the Circle of Friends ministry, is a shining example of
the power of community collaboration. This partnership not only supports Belong Bakery’s mission to empower
individuals with IDD but also contributes significantly to the creation of a positive workplace that enriches lives. Belong Bakery’s story is a testament to the power of community support, compassion, and the belief that
with God in the forefront, we can create spaces where everyone can thrive and find purpose.
