"If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
African Proverb
Our Story
For nearly 25 years, our founder, Shiri Reuveni-Ullrich worked as a speech therapist, dedicated to supporting individuals with special needs under the age of 21. As she began to consider the next chapter of her life, one thing remained clear: she wanted to continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of the students she cared so deeply about.
During this time of reflection, she was working closely with a group of autistic individuals—many of whom were nonverbal. Every Thursday, they baked together. It quickly became a highlight of the week. Even without words, the students expressed their excitement with bright eyes, eager smiles, and joyful gestures as they made their way to the kitchen.
One Thursday, while preparing cookies, Shiri stepped back and quietly watched. What she saw—and heard—moved her deeply. There was humming, bursts of laughter, playful singing, and a sense of calm joy that filled the room. In that kitchen, away from traditional pressures and expectations, Shiri's students had found their voices.
That moment sparked a new vision.
Shiri imagined a space where individuals with limited employment opportunities could find purpose, pride, and belonging. A kitchen not just for baking—but for building confidence, community, and meaningful work.
That vision became the heart of Rising Above Bakery: empowering individuals through baking, while baking together as one.
of individuals with special needs are unemployed
are unemployed due to their special need
are unemployed due to lack of education or training
Our Vision
We envision a world where individuals of all abilities are celebrated for their talents, embraced for their differences, and empowered through meaningful work.
Our bakery is more than a place to buy fresh, delicious goods—it’s a space of opportunity, inclusion, and connection. Through baking, we strive to create a model of employment that honors diversity, nurtures self-worth, and strengthens the fabric of our community.
Looking ahead, our vision is to grow into a space that’s truly our own—a purpose-built kitchen and welcoming storefront where inclusion comes to life. We want our workplace to serve as a living example of what inclusive employment can be, and to inspire others to open their doors to individuals with special needs.
We dream of customers stepping into our bakery, picking up something warm and wonderful, and walking out with not just a treat—but a smile and a feel-good moment, knowing their purchase supports something bigger.
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Our mission
At our bakery, our mission is to provide meaningful employment for individuals with special needs—welcoming them as equal, valued, and empowered members of our team.
Our signature offering is handcrafted sourdough bread, baked fresh daily using traditional methods. Alongside it, we serve an ever-changing array of baked goods—cookies, scones, pies, crackers, biscotti, and more—each made with care and the finest ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible.
Our welcoming retail space invites the community to shop, connect, and witness the power of inclusion in action. We also supply local businesses and offer online ordering for convenient local pickup.
Every loaf, cookie, and pie you purchase supports a greater purpose: building community, fostering dignity, and celebrating the talents of every member of our team—one bake at a time.
advisory Board
Our Vision
Our next goal is to secure a storefront location where we can further develop our vision of a practical, financially viable, community-building service business that employs and imparts meaningful life skills to young adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities.
Rising Above Bakery envisions itself at the center of three overlapping communities: Our bakers-in-training and their families; our customers; and our storefront friends and neighbors. The bakers we train are united by their experience of a life-affirming, confidence-building work experience that can open a path to a meaningful, productive life. Our customers share their enjoyment of our delicious, hand-crafted baked goods – and also the knowledge that each item they purchase has given an individual the opportunity to practice the craft of baking.