Kindred Voices: Shanell and Angela

“It shows our children they can do anything they put their mind to.”

Shanell and Angela

Meet Shanell and Angela: part of the Kindred Bakery family since 2024

“My name is Angela. I have two children—Shanell is my oldest. She was born premature, and she’s been in specialized programs since elementary school, all the way through high school. Now she works at Trader Joe’s two days a week and volunteers with Kindred on Saturdays.

When I heard about the program, I was so excited and proud of her; we automatically said, ‘We’re in.’"

Shanell, Kindred Participant at the Brooklyn Children's Museum Pop Up

Since starting [at Kindred Bakery] in September 2024, she’s had more friends. She’s communicating better. She’s able to work with the community and not just with her peers. It’s opening up her world to so many different avenues that maybe just being at home she wouldn’t have.

She enjoys the bakery. She always wanted to come home and make exactly what they made. It’s helping with her math skills. Two weeks ago, she told me she helped with the cash register. At home, she helps wash dishes, put the utensils away, get ingredients, now she even packs her own lunch for work.

Angela, Shanell's mom being interviewed by Emma.

I don’t let Shanell go out on her own, so this [program] definitely gives me peace of mind. When Shanell is here, she’s focused, she can do this, and I get back more time so I can run around and do something.

Kindred is a great program. It’s inclusive, it brings the communities together, everyone is included. It makes our children feel open and welcomed into the community instead of having them separate. It shows that they can do anything they put their mind to. They’ve connected me to the right people, helped with her life plan, and shared so much knowledge from their own experience.” - Angela, Shanell's Mom.

Angela’s daughter Shanell joined Kindred Bakery BK last September 2024. Since then, she’s gained confidence, learned new skills, and found joy in baking, especially cookies 🍪, bread 🍞, and pizza 🍕.

Shanell, Kindred Participant being interviewed by Emma.

Kindred Voices is a series of profiles of Kindred Bakery BK's program participants and their family members.

Donate today to help us open more doors, train more young people, and keep our inclusive kitchen thriving. https://www.kindredbakerybk.org/donate

Thank you to Caroline Emma Moore and Adam Nemcsek for supporting this series.