“Bake the world a better place.” That was the slogan on the wall at the Dakota Bread Company in West Bloomfield where we spent the afternoon with 27-year-old, Bracha Greenes, an employee at the shop. And that slogan couldn’t be more fitting for the mission of this company. Dakota Bread Company was recently purchased by the Friendship Circle of Michigan, which provides assistance and support to over 3,000 individuals with special needs and their families by providing recreational, social, educational and vocational programming. Friendship Circle also provides support to individuals and families struggling with isolation, addiction and other family-related crises. By providing these services, friendships are created in the lives of individuals with special needs and those facing isolation while providing an opportunity to become a contributing member of the community.

Bracha’s mom, Chana Greenes, shared with us that her oldest daughter was one the original volunteers at Friendship Circle when Bracha was just a baby. Now over 22 years later and they are still involved in the program.

Bracha works closely with program facilitator, Lisa Kowalski, who displays great enthusiasm and satisfaction towards her job. Lisa has a child of her own with special needs and finds such joy working with Bracha and the other employees. Bracha loves to bag bread and work the twist tie machine which she demonstrated to us while we were there, as well as braiding challah, which we were so fortunate to be able to take home with us!

Executive Director and Co-Founder Levi Shemtov, joined us at the bakery and shared some very profound knowledge in an interview explaining the value of each human’s soul no matter what they look like or what disability they may have. The community is in good hands with Levi and wife Bassie Shemtov as they continue to do this fabulous work together.