Bakeology is a vocational program that operates as a social enterprise helping clients in The Royal's Forensic Program build confidence and life skills.
The group is laser-focused on a single product category: gourmet cookies. Sold at the Winter Garden Café, a volunteer-run coffee and snack kiosk at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, they've proven extremely popular with staff and visitors.
"We do one thing and do it well," laughs Lori McGuire, a vocational rehabilitation specialist who's taken on the role of Bakeology business operations manager. "We do gourmet cookies, and we're pretty proud of that."
Orders are received, supplies are purchased, and a team works together to ensure the order is baked, professionally packaged, and delivered on time while keeping to the budget.
Bakeology gives clients valuable real-world experience in the baking and food service industry. Providing a work environment that replicates an entry-level position in a bakery or other food services setting meets an important need for people who often struggle to find work.
"Our data shows there are clients who want to work but don't have a lot of experience, or very broken experience, and so they're not quite ready for employment in the community," says McGuire.
"After everything they've gone through, they've lost pretty much all their confidence, so it takes a long time for them to rebuild trust and confidence in themselves and their ability to work." Clients in the Forensic Program often describe a "double stigma" as they deal with mental health challenges in addition to their involvement with the justice system. Bakeology provides a supportive work environment that is tailored to their needs.
Understanding work etiquette, for example, is an essential part of getting and keeping a job.
"Many of our clients don't have a lot of experience, so how can they possibly know what work etiquette is if they've never worked,” says McGuire. “I don't know how to talk to my employer. I don't know how to ask for time off. I don't know what happens if I'm late or call in sick. You and I might take this knowledge for granted, but this is an opportunity for them to be aware of all those little nuances.”
"After everything they've gone through, they've lost pretty much all their confidence, so it takes a long time for them to rebuild trust and confidence in themselves and their ability to work."
The program employs 13 clients who bake up their gourmet offerings in the Central Services Occupational Therapy Kitchen, a space transformed by the Astro Design Centre in 2018.
"It's a client-centred social enterprise model that provides a part-time employment opportunity," describes McGuire. "Participants earn minimum wage, which motivates them to work harder and helps them overcome barriers to employment. Bakeology is a springboard between recovery and actual competitive employment."
Bakeology cookies are competitively priced and made with high-quality ingredients. The group also accepts orders from staff for special events, meetings, corporate gifts, or even special occasions at home. This year, staff are able to purchase assorted cookies in gift boxes and bags.
"We make a quality cookie just like you could get in any fine bakery here in Ottawa or at grandma's house, but I think we “might” give grandma a run for her money," laughs McGuire.
"Our Bakeology team is the gourmet cookie dream team,” she says. “Cookies and rehabilitation therapy are an ideal recipe for successful outcomes. It’s a recipe that has endless possibilities for many clients here at The Royal.”