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Armonk Cover Stories

Pets Make a House a Home

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Kristen Rice, Executive Director of Adopt-A-Dog, a pet rescue, shelter and adoption agency in Armonk, with Petey, one of the dogs currently available for adoption.
Kristen Rice, Executive Director of Adopt-A-Dog, a pet rescue, shelter and adoption agency in Armonk,
with Petey, one of the dogs currently available for adoption.

Article and Photos by Marianne A. Campolongo

Nothing is better after a long day at work or school than coming home to a pet at your door. Whether it’s a dog wagging her tail and waiting to join you on a walk outside or a cat purring as he rubs against your legs waiting for you to pick him up, when you have a pet, coming home is always a treat.

Whether you have a dog or a cat, exotic fish or birds, or some other creature, your home is never empty when you have a pet.

Pet ownership has “a number of benefits,” according to Dr. Mary Padilla, a veterinarian who has owned North Castle Veterinary Hospital in Armonk for more than 30 years. “For some people, it’s companionship; for some people, it’s structure. It’s an easy relationship. There is not as much emotional stuff going on. It can be an undemanding, non-judgmental situation,” she said.

She said that pets are great for children as they both tend to be more “in the moment.” She added, with a laugh, “It’s someone else to blame when something is broken.”

Dr. Padilla said, “Research has been done about the benefits of touch. For some people, it’s the only contact that they have,” she added, stressing that the calming aspects of touch provide both physical and emotional benefits for those of all ages.

“We are an animal ourselves. They [pets] make a family complete.” –Jim Dempsey

Besides treating all kinds of animals in her daily veterinary practice, Dr. Padilla has a small menagerie at home. In addition to two cats, DD and Ludie, she has a small flock of finches in a flight cage, a large piece of furniture filled with plants and birds. It allows them to really stretch their wings. “Birds are social. They like to be with other birds,” she said. Adding to the mix, her husband has two large tanks filled with tropical fish.

Kristen Rice is the Executive Director of Adopt-A-Dog, a non-profit rescue and animal shelter that began in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1981, but has been housed in Armonk since 2002. Though the shelter has housed and found homes for cats as well as dogs in the past, it is currently home to about 35 dogs of all ages seeking homes. “I’m very blessed to have a job I don’t dread going to. I love my work, being around dogs and people who love dogs too,” she said.

Owning a pet “is an opportunity for parents to teach their kids about being kind and respectful, being able to enjoy the presence of someone else in the world,” Rice said. Echoing Dr. Padilla she continued, “There’s no judgment, just natural play. They have a lot of fun together and they’re also buddies.”

Rice has three senior dogs, ages 14-17, that she adopted from the shelter: Kirby, Jillian, and Rusty.

Tyler Zuckerman owns Pleasant Grooming of Armonk with his father, Stu. His dog Nike, a Golden Retriever, comes to work with him each day, greeting customers and acting as the store’s mascot. In addition to grooming, they sell accessories, run a dog training school, a doggie day care, and also connect customers with dog breeders to help them find the right pet. His father has a Cockapoo which he rescued eight years ago. All-in-all, Tyler has had nine dogs over the years, one of whom used to pick him up from the bus stop. “It was a good thing growing up with dogs,” he said. Despite taking Claritin daily due to an allergy to dogs, he wouldn’t be without one in his life.

Armonk resident Jim Dempsey is the editor and publisher of Pet Gazette, a pet magazine he and his wife have published in Armonk since 1998. They now publish four editions of the magazine in Westchester, Long Island, Fairfield, and New York City.

Dempsey said that bringing a pet into your home “is a connection to the natural world. We share the earth with them. We are an animal ourselves. They make a family complete. I’ll never forget watching my cat give birth. I was probably eight years old. Wow! That taught me more about life. That’s just unbelievable. Having a pet in a family allows a family to understand caring for something other than themselves. For a child to understand that in life, it’s important. Especially these days, a pet forces you to put that technology down.” Currently, Dempsey gets his pet fix by playing with a neighbor’s dog. “I just lost the best dog I ever had,” he said. “I’ve had every pet–birds, cats, dogs, bunnies.” He is considering getting a pair of Great Danes, but needs time to mourn the loss of his dog. Pets truly become a member of the family, and their loss can be difficult due to the depth of the bond between human and pet.

This bond is one of the great benefits of bringing a pet into your home. “The beautiful thing about Great Danes–they have a short lifespan–I’m 60 now so since we’re in a transition period I’m thinking about how long I’ll be able to chase after a dog,” said Dempsey.

Dempsey, Rice, and Zuckerman all stressed that people need to think about finding pets that are suitable for their stage in life, their children’s ages, and temperaments. “Because I work so much, having older dogs is good,” said Rice. They sleep all day and just need a shorter walk. I can give them a nice quiet place to spend their golden years. For my lifestyle an older dog is great. If I had kids and was home more, I’d look into a younger dog.”

Adopt-A-Dog always aims to have a mix of dogs of all ages, Rice said, to meet the needs of those looking to adopt. Zuckerman said, “We locate dogs for people from various breeders around the country. Do they have kids, how many, are they active, do the kids have allergies? There’s a lot of different things to look into. They become part of the family.”

When you bring an animal home, said Rice, you will receive “a lifetime of unconditional love. The companionship is unparalleled in my opinion. It’s not just a pet, it’s a member of your family. For me coming home to my dogs makes me happy. It’s just an amazing experience. Overall the experience is just one of happiness.”

Marianne Campolongo is a freelance writer and photographer from Chappaqua. She has had six cats, two dogs and a variety of fish in her life. Having recently lost two cats after 14 years, she gets her pet fix enjoying her daughter’s two new kittens. Visit campyphotos.com.

Byram Hills Senior Discovers Planet 119 Light-Years Away

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Byram Hills student Dominick Rowan was a nalist in the 2015 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology, presenting his research to a panel in Washington, D.C.
Byram Hills student Dominick Rowan was a nalist in the 2015 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology, presenting his research to a panel in Washington, D.C.

By Brian Donnelly

Are we alone in the universe?

It’s a profound question that has inspired countless science fiction thrillers, star gazers and, of course, 17-year-old Dominick Rowan to discover a planet 119 light-years away. “Exoplanet detection is kind of on the forefront of astronomy research,” he said, explaining that an exoplanet is a planet that orbits a star other than the sun.

Yes, this Byram Hills High School senior and Authentic Science Research Program standout is on the forefront of the forefront; a place that, unlike space, is particularly finite. “It’s kind of a little outside my grasp sometimes to think that, ‘Wow, there’s astrophysicists all over the world looking for planets and I just happened to find one,'” he said, his self-assured tone contradicting his overall youthful sentiment. “In that sense it was a happy accident.”

Intellectual Integrity Wins

Accident or not, it’s impressive. Just ask his teachers. “He’s confirmed my belief that age is not a limitation in accomplishment and that hard work and intellectual integrity win out over almost everything,” said David Keith, director of Byram Hills High School’s Authentic Science Research Program. “Here’s a kid who for all intents and purposes shouldn’t be able to do this level of work at his age, and he did; and he does.”

The program is a three-year science elective course in which students pick a topic, identify and work with a mentor in a related field and produce an original piece of research. The model has caught on in high schools across the country in the last decade, but Byram Hills High School was way out in front, launching its program in 1989.

“This is one of the very first organized science research programs,” Keith touted, “and after it became accredited by the State University of New York well over 100 districts adopted this curriculum. So, while everybody adds their own flavor and changes it to suite their district’s needs, a lot of the schools started it based on the idea put forth by Dr. [Robert] Pavlica. it was an ingenious concept.”

Pavlica founded the program with just one student and used the methods he learned as a Ph.D. candidate in biochemistry at St. John’s University to structure the program, according to a 2001 New York Times article. In its 27-year history the program has produced 96 semifinalists and 18 finalists in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search. That includes five semi-finalists this year: Sela Berenblum, Kevin Chang, Lyndsay Siegle, Sarah Tang and, of course, Rowan. He was also a finalist in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology in late 2015 and presented his research to a panel in Washington D.C. Both competitions offer scholarship money to finalists.

Keith became director of the program, named for its founder, in 2005. Since then, the program has doubled in size with 100 students participating this year. “One of the goals of this kind of program is that, if you’re successful, by the end you’re teaching your teachers,” he said. “That’s a very compelling idea for a student… How wonderful is it to be 17 years old and be able to say, ‘I know more than my teachers about this subject and maybe for a brief moment I was the only person in the world who knew something; who had discovered something.”

When students enter high school they can apply for the program, a process that differs by school district. “We actually have been somewhat unique in that we never consider a student’s grade performance as a final indicator as to whether they qualify or not,” said Keith, who is certified to teach physics and earth science. “It’s really up to the student to engage their own passion in science.” He continued, “For Dominick he came in already having a very strong passion for astronomy. He knew that he loved the physical sciences so he was an easy student to facilitate.”

In his sophomore year while searching through some suggested topics, Rowan came across articles on exoplanet research. “It wasn’t really a lot of work,” he said. “It was more of exploring an interest.” The more he dug up on the topic the more sophisticated his project became. “I wanted to look at planets’ habitability to see if planets would be suitable for life as it is on ours,” he said.

To do that he used statistical analysis to identify planets similar to Jupiter in other solar systems. In the formation of this solar system Jupiter’s migration towards the sun and then back out into its position presently served as a vacuum cleaner and got rid of a lot of debris that could’ve impacted and destroyed the earth, Keith said. Rowan added that discovering how common that is in other solar systems can help determine how common earth-like planets would be and, therefore, how common life is.

One day he noticed a Jupiter-like planet that hadn’t been referenced previously. “The numbers weren’t lying to me,” he recalled. The planet hunter brought the discovery to his mentor, who confirmed it.

“I love the fact that this lucky accident happened to him,” Rowan’s biology teacher, Stephanie Greenwald, said of his discovery. “He is such a humble, endearing young man and was genuinely excited every step of the way.”

For his contribution, Rowan’s mentor, Dr. Stefano Meschiari, made him lead author on the research paper, which was published in late January in The Astrophysical Journal.

“To me it’s not about the age, it’s about the research,” he said, expressing a hope that their research will help further research on the commonality of other solar systems. “Because I think that anyone in my position, anyone who has access to the science research program could have utilized their tools in the same way I could have. And a bunch of students are with other projects.”

In addition to the other four Intel semi-finalists, seniors Brian Singer and Ryan Infante are two more examples of that success. They are two of the four finalists in the country for the American Academy of Neurology Neuroscience Research Prize.

Byram Hills seniors (left to right) Dominick Rowan, Lyndsay Sie- gle, Sarah Tang, Sela Berenblum and Kevin Chang, were named Intel Search seminalists.
Byram Hills seniors (left to right) Dominick Rowan, Lyndsay Sie- gle, Sarah Tang, Sela Berenblum and Kevin Chang, were named Intel Search seminalists.

“I think the spreading of science research as a curriculum like this to as many schools as possible, even though it may reduce the number of awards that we can get as one school, it’s just so right.” As for the Haverford College-bound Rowan, Keith said he is an “example of things going right in public education, and parenting.” While his planet has been labeled HD32963b–not his first choice–his father, Mike Rowan, seems to think he’ll get another crack at it someday.

“It looks like he’s found something that he’s really interested in and will put all his energy into it,” he said, supporting his son’s aspirations to become an astrophysicist. “And I’m sure he’ll make something out of it and in the end maybe he devotes his time to research and pursuing this and we find another solar system to live in.”

Brian Donnelly is a freelance reporter and public relations specialist. Born in Mamaroneck, he has lived in White Plains and Cortlandt Manor.

 

Spotlight on Armonk Chamber President Neal Schwartz

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And his Efforts Devoted to Helping Local Businesses Thrive

Mr. Schwartz prepares for First ursdays.
Mr. Schwartz prepares for First Thursdays.

By Stacey Pfeffer

All the merchants and businesses in town seem to know Neal Schwartz, president of the Armonk Chamber of Commerce. He can be spotted at monthly Chamber meetings or patronizing a local coffee shop. What is it about this man who has changed the business landscape of Armonk? Inside Armonk got to sit down with Schwartz and hear how he hopes to make Armonk synonymous with fun while preserving town traditions that help local businesses flourish.

A Westchester native, Schwartz is the owner of College Planning of Westchester, an Armonk-based business that helps students locally and throughout the county with tutoring, ACT/SAT preparation and college counseling. He and his wife, Dr. Arlene Schwartz, an optometrist and owner of Hartsdale Family Eyecare, have lived in Chappaqua for the past 26 years with their three children. Neal Schwartz also heads up the Northern Westchester Business Network, which provides him additional experience in running a successful chamber.

Schwartz has been involved with the Chamber since opening his business in 2004. He clearly remembers one fateful meeting in 2010 as a turning point for the Chamber, which he said was about to disband until he volunteered to take on a leadership role as President. “It was a case of: If you’ll do it, I’ll do it.” Schwartz formed a fully operating board with four of his fellow Chamber members, knowing the importance of having a team in place that could take responsibility and implement changes to benefit the business community and town. In retrospect, “it was very cool because we didn’t know if the Chamber would continue but we [ultimately] decided we have to commit to this and to the town.”

Schwartz pulls out a photo from several years ago when the Chamber was in its infancy. “The only thing the chamber did consistently a few years ago was to have sidewalk sales. There was a brochure to recruit members and there was about one networking event a year. There was no central board or consistency over time. The website was primitive and did not have any potential to quickly communicate to members and the community,” recalls Schwartz.

Fast forward five years and the Chamber has evolved into a roughly 100-member-strong organization with a clear vision and updated website. “The Armonk Chamber of Commerce, under Neal’s direction as president, has dramatically upped its game,” noted Stacy Wilder, the membership liaison at the Armonk Chamber of Commerce. “We have brought in many new members and helped them connect with our community by sponsoring a number of successful events. First Thursdays, the Donut and Cider Festival/Jamie’s Race for Love and the Citizen of the Year outing/dinner give exposure to local businesses through sponsorships and participation, and bring consumers into Armonk.” In addition, the Chamber supports other widely anticipated events in Armonk such as the Frosty Day Parade and the Armonk Outdoor Art Show.

“One of the things I’ve learned along the way is that there are actually more Chamber members that are not on Armonk’s Main Street than there are on Main Street,” said Schwartz. While the town has several long-standing and well-established businesses on Main Street, there are a host of other service industries and small businesses located throughout the hamlet that are also quite essential to its commercial success.

As a local business owner, Schwartz knows firsthand how being a Chamber member has its benefits. When a plumbing emergency faced his business one morning, he knew exactly who to call –another Chamber member, who gave him a referral for a plumber, who fixed the problem immediately, allowing Schwartz to continue business as usual that afternoon. Schwartz could have checked Angie’s List or another website, but Chamber members provide a valuable trusted support network and often refer other Chamber members for services ranging from painting to plumbing to landscaping. Similarly, at a Chamber meeting, another member had a friend in Glastonbury, Conn. looking for college counseling for their child. Although Schwartz’s business serves primarily Byram Hills and other Westchester-based high school students, his company helped that student with Skype and other online tools. “When you are part of the Chamber, you are ‘in the know’ and we can truly help each other’s businesses grow.”

e Schwartz Family (L-R): Stacie, Jodi, Arlene, Zachary & Neal
The Schwartz Family (L-R): Stacie, Jodi, Arlene, Zachary & Neal

“I joined the Armonk Chamber of Commerce three years ago and was immediately made to feel very welcome,” said Gordon Josey, the owner and director of Breezemont Day Camp. “It’s amazing how much work Neal and the board does to make the Chamber work. He leads in not a self-serving way but looks out for what is best for Armonk and its small business owners.”

Skip Beitzel, owner of Hickory & Tweed, noted, “Under Neal’s leadership, I feel like a Chamber groupie. Neal has helped pull together a core group of volunteers that affect a lot of things for many merchants and small businesses here in Armonk. We finally have a reason for being.”

“The Chamber has been so supportive of me,” said Connie Petrovich, owner of Armonk House Restaurant. “Their members were checking on me during construction and once I opened. We’ve even had a monthly Chamber meeting at my restaurant.”

Race participants at the 2015 Cider and Donut Festival
Race participants at the 2015 Cider and Donut Festival

One of Schwartz’s main goals as Chamber President is to draw customers to town and ensure Armonk is a place where families can shop locally and have fun. With the opening of
Armonk Square, Schwartz and the Chamber decided to create First Thursdays, offering art, music, in-store promotions, dining and wine tastings in downtown Armonk that occurred the first Thursday evening of each month from June through September. “Each month we learned something about how to improve the event the following month.” The event was so successful and well-received that the Chamber will expand it to five Thursdays this summer spanning from May to September.

Schwartz is keenly aware of Armonk’s heritage and what makes the town unique. “Years ago there was a cider mill on Old Route 22 that people throughout Westchester and even New York City would come to for decades with their children to taste doughnuts and drink cider. We wanted to create another event that was fun for the family so we decided to have a Donut and Cider Festival in the fall.” The festival is now combined with Jamie’s 5K “Run for Love,” a race that is held in memory of Jamie Love, a Byram Hills cross country student who passed away while studying at the University of Vermont of an undetected heart ailment. The number of race participants has increased in recent years and spectators and residents alike enjoy the donuts and cider post-race.

Another Chamber event that has grown in popularity is the Armonk Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Golf Outing and Dinner at Whippoorwill Club. “The event used to be a golf outing exclusively for Chamber members but we [the Chamber] decided to start honoring an individual who has a long-standing commitment to the betterment and enrichment of the community and open up the event to the public,” Schwartz explained. “This year’s honoree is interior designer Susan Geffen, who has been instrumental in bringing theater to the North Castle library, the planning of the Armonk Outdoor Art Show and serving on numerous town boards.” The 2016 event is scheduled to take place on May 23.

Jamie’s Race for Love 2015 participants line up for donuts at the Cider and Donut Festival.
Jamie’s Race for Love 2015 participants line up for donuts at the Cider and Donut Festival.

One of the highlights of the town is the annual Frosty Day parade. Schwartz reminisces, “During a Chamber meeting, one of our members mentioned that the ‘Frosty the Snowman’ songwriter was from Armonk. We brainstormed and nurtured the Frosty Day idea.” Although a separate group, Friends of Frosty, organizes the event now, the Chamber first brought the idea to fruition and still supports it. “The greatest thing about Frosty is that I was walking in Armonk Square at a First Thursday event this past summer and this dad goes to his child, ‘That’s where we stood for the parade.’ Want to talk about a local hometown memory?”

Echoing Schwartz’s comments about making memories, Wilder adds, “The Chamber aims to create memories so that people will continue to come back and keep their shopping and services local.” With Schwartz’s leadership and the Chamber hard at work with the business community, look out for more memory-making in Armonk on the horizon.

Stacey Pfeffer lives with her husband and three young children in Chappaqua.  While she loves shopping in her hometown, she can often be seen frequenting stores in neighboring Armonk.

Camp Fairs, Camp Open Houses, Camp Consultants: Making Sense of it All

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By Heather Skolnick

Spring has sprung but for those who have not finalized camp selections for their children, now is the time. The camp selection process can be an arduous one. As a mom who recently enrolled her two youngest in their first real camp experience, I know first-hand how daunting this can be. Fortunately, our community has many ways to help parents navigate the complexity of camp selection. But how is one to know what a successful interaction between prospective camps and families looks like?

Photo Courtesy/Harvey Cavalier Camp
Photo Courtesy of Harvey Cavalier Camp

One popular option is to attend a camp fair. These fairs are a way for families to get exposed to multiple camps in one fell swoop. They also provide the ability to associate a face with the camp experience and speak in person with the directors of the facility. For camp directors, this type of interaction with families allows them to explain the points of differentiation of their camp.

Photos Courtesy/Breezemont Day Camp
Photo Courtesy of Breezemont Day Camp

Westchester Family hosts a couple local camp fairs, which have a great representation of our local camps. Editor Jean Sheff says, “A successful camp fair is one where parents and camp representatives get to interact in a meaningful way. Parents are looking to match their family’s needs with the right camp, and camps are looking for new campers. It’s a real win-win when the match is made.”

Westchester Parent hosts a similar camp fair; this year was their 34th annual event. Jacqueline Lachman, head of marketing, said “Our goal is to expose parents to a wide variety of camps and summer activities, so they can get a lot done in one place in a few hours. Additionally, we want to be sure that parents are able to see that all of their questions are answered and the kids have a little fun. There is often a mix of parents who are embarking on this decision for the first time, some returning for new options and those looking to make a change to accommodate each child during various life stages. We try to have each group represented. Camp fairs are best when there’s a mix of local day camp opportunities.” She added, “It also helps to have some sleepaway camps on-site, to let parents explore that option without having to drive all over the place, and maybe decide it is time to switch.”

The Camp Connection is another resource with Susan Pecker as the local expert. Pecker is an experienced camp consultant who covers camps across Westchester, Rockland, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. She can help ensure campers are well matched with camps. Pecker says that a good visit with the camp or camp director is critical. When working with Pecker, both parties already know about each other and what they are looking for so they have a solid starting point. She feels it’s important for the camp director and camper to have face-to-face interaction so that they can each determine if they are a match for each other. Pecker recommends looking at each camp individually. She finds that it may be difficult to have meaningful dialogue between prospective families and camps at large camp fairs. Pecker added, “Going to visit a camp is a great idea but going to see a camp this time of year doesn’t give a great representation of what it’s like. Go to see a camp when it’s active and in session–that is the best way to evaluate it.” Some parents may choose to visit a camp’s open house, allowing them and their children a chance to see first-hand what the camp has to offer.

“Some camps might think an open house is about bells and whistles, about putting on some awesome display to entice prospective families,” said Chris Del Campo, director of communications at Harvey Cavalier Camp. “But my 20-plus years as a camp director has shown me that moms and dads (and grandmas, too) want to meet face-to-face with the people who will be caring for their child in a safe and nurturing environment where kids will have fun doing the things they enjoy.”

“Open houses are a great way to bring prospective families to your camp to experience what makes your camp so special,” explained Matt Pritikin, the Associate Director of Breezemont Day Camp in Armonk. “In the few hours parents and kids spend at our camp, our goal is to maximize the number of things they see and do, culminating in a unique experience shared together.”

In speaking with parents, what constitutes a successful interaction between them and their children and prospective camps varies. Local mom Amanda Goldberg is already looking into camp for the summer of 2017. Her family will be attending an informational session for a specific summer program and will speak with camp directors at that time. “The three of us will have an opportunity to ask questions of the directors,” she said. “While my son has watched all of the promotional videos for the camp program, he has some very specific questions that cannot be answered from a video. It would be our son’s first time away from home and it is also important to meet the people who will be caring for him for six weeks.”

Learning about various summer programs can be accomplished many different ways. Each approach offers something different and it is important to recognize what a successful interaction entails. Ultimately, what’s important is that parents, children and camp directors leave with a clear indicator of whether or not that camp is a good fit for the child.

Heather Skolnick and her husband and three kids are New Castle residents. Heather works for Macys on their Omnichannel Process and Systems team. She often reminisces fondly about her fun-filled summers at camp.

Greyston Bakery Implementing Mindful Business Strategies

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Making a Difference Since 1982

“I’ve been on the production floor at Greyston and met many of the employees there. I can tell you, there’s no better organization than Greyston in fighting poverty. Please join me in support of this extraordinary organization.” –Ben Stiller, Chappaqua Resident, pictured (right) with Greyston Employee Bernard Anderson
“I’ve been on the production floor at Greyston and met many of the employees there. I can tell you, there’s no better organization than Greyston in fighting poverty. Please join me in support of this extraordinary organization.” –Ben Stiller, Chappaqua resident, pictured (right) with Greyston employee Bernard Anderson

By Janine Crowley Haynes

Here in Northern Westchester, you may not know of Greyston Bakery by name, but, perhaps, you know Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream. Based in Southwest Yonkers, Greyston Bakery delivers 35,000 pounds of brownies per day to Ben & Jerry’s. Greyston’s decadent, mouthwatering baked goods are also sold at Whole Foods and available on their website at Greyston.com. On the packaging of their products is the Greyston mission statement: Bakers on a Mission. We Change Lives. That’s one weighty claim. How could a bakery have the audacity to make such a declaration?

Mindfulness seems to be the buzzword of late, but mindfulness is an age-old concept to describe zen-like philosophical principles. Most of us associate mindfulness with yoga and meditation. Today, the word is being used extensively–mindful living, mindful eating, mindful parenting, mindful shopping, mindful business practices, etc. But…what does it actually mean? Mindfulness is derived from, but not limited to, Buddhist philosophy. It’s about being self-aware of the choices made in the present and how the decision-making process affects the outcome of the future. Philosophically speaking, mindfulness has the potential to change one’s trajectory, path, and eventual outcome in the future. Making mindful decisions is not limited to caring for one’s own wellbeing and prosperity. It also includes feeling a deep sense of responsibility and moral obligation to give back, serve, and uplift those in our communities and beyond for the greater good of humanity.

However, when a company decides to implement mindful principles as part of its business model, how exactly does that translate in the real world? What’s the impact on its success? In addition to turning a profit, is it possible for companies to uplift and enhance the lives of its employees and extend its reach into the community to effect positive change?

That’s one tall order. Yet, Greyston Bakery has been fulfilling that order since its inception in 1982. This is NOT your ordinary bakery. Founder and Buddhist Monk Bernie Glassman opened Greyston Bakery 34 years ago. His intention was to solve the serious social issues of high poverty and unemployment rates in Southwest Yonkers by employing the so-called unemployable. Glassman believed that business success and social justice are two sides of the same coin.

One key principle the Greyston business model is based on is Open Hiring. It benefits those who would not be considered employable by most companies’ standards. In Greyston’s 2015 Fast Facts – Mapping a Solution to Poverty pamphlet, it reads, “…The Bakery has a fundamental commitment to social justice through our Open Hiring policy in which individuals are offered employment regardless of educational attainment, work history, incarceration or past social barriers. Anyone with a positive attitude and strong work ethic is given a chance to transform their life for the better….” Basically, there’s no box to be checked on the application that delves into the applicant’s past. A prospective employee is put on a waiting list, and, when a position opens up, Greyston interviews the next person on the list.

To be clear, Greyston Bakery is a for-profit company. However, all the proceeds go to the Greyston Foundation which, in turn, provides various social programs offered to its employees as well as the community it serves. To say the least, Greyston is a multidimensional, nationally-recognized social enterprise. Since 2008, Greyston became a Certified B Corp, meaning it has to meet “…rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency…B Corp certification evaluates an entire company (e.g. worker engagement, community involvement, environmental footprint and governance structure) rather than looking at just one aspect of a company…”* In addition, Greyston has achieved Level 3 SQF Certification–the highest level in food safety and quality.

Greyston’s commitment to sustainability utilizes rooftop solar panels as well as creating a rooftop garden for employees to tend to and reap its rewards.
Greyston’s commitment to sustainability utilizes rooftop solar panels as well as creating a rooftop garden for employees to tend to and reap its rewards.

There are several philosophical plaques that hang along one of the walls in The Bakery’s environmentally conscious architectural structure. In addition to mindfulness, Greyston implements another important principle known as PathMaking. The plaque reads, “PathMaking…is both a guiding philosophy and a program at Greyston. The PathMaking philosophy is our belief that individuals can be supported to achieve wholeness (self-sufficiency) that comes from having a well-balanced, satisfying and integrated personal, spiritual and professional life. The PathMaking program at Greyston provides direction, support and referrals to all members of the Greyston Mandala–employees, clients and the board in the areas of personal and professional development and organizational success.”

Once hired, Greyston maps out a tailored-made path for the employee. Greyston mindfully considers all the aspects and challenges facing the individual–both in their work environment as well as in their personal life. Then, the new employee is placed in a nine-month apprenticeship program and provided support through various social programs offered by the Greyston Foundation.

Greyston’s Workforce and Development programs offer educational support, training, and business skills. The Greyston Childcare Center provides childcare and youth services for employees with children. Affordable housing is also available for those in need. What’s important to note here is that everything offered through the Greyston Foundation is within walking distance of the Bakery and/or accessible via public transportation. There are countless examples of the great works Greyston is doing for its community.

One example is, in collaboration with the City of Yonkers, Mayor Mike Spano, and New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, there are now 441 plots of community gardens scattered throughout Southwest Yonkers. In 2014, these gardens produced 27,200 pounds of produce.

So, up here living in Northern Westchester, why should we care about Greyston’s efforts in Southwest Yonkers?

Greyston bakers making their famous Blondies.
Greyston bakers making their famous Blondies.

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President and CEO Mike Brady wants to extend its reach and share Greyston’s successful, prosperous and inspirational story beyond Southwest Yonkers. Clearly, Greyston is making a positive impact on its community by providing real, substantive solutions for the difficult problems of poverty and unemployment. And…it all leads back to the road of implementing mindful business strategies–a path worthy of following. Just don’t forget to stop and savor the brownies along the way. For more information, visit www.greyston.com

Janine Crowley Haynes, Chappaqua resident, freelance writer & author of My Kind of Crazy: Living in a Bipolar World.

*triplepundit.com

Greyston Employees on a Path to a Prosperous Future

IMG_7869Employee: Celia Robertson
Age: 35
Years employed: 15
Position: Line Staff
Her inspirational story: At the age of 20, Celia Robertson was hired by Greyston Bakery. It was her first job. She knew of The Bakery because her brother was a mixer at the time. To describe Robertson as an enthusiastic employee is an understatement. “I just love what Greyston stands for and the opportunities it provides,” Robertson states. She is a mother of two children–Khaliyah, 12, and Joseph, 8. “My daughter is already a great baker,” says Robertson, beaming with pride. As a single mother, she is grateful to have access to the child and youth services offered through the Greyston Foundation. Her aspirations beyond Greyston Bakery include opening a restaurant in Southwest Yonkers offering Jamaican and Creole cuisine.
IMG_7876Employee: Curtis Savage
Age: 24
Years employed: 3
Position: Quality Assurance Technician
His inspirational story: “When I was a teen, I was going down a dark path, cutting class, hanging out with the wrong crowd…It wasn’t good,” says Savage. His employment options were limited because he did not complete high school. Savage is one of many employees who have and are benefitting from Greyston’s Open Hiring policy. “My life changed when I was hired by Greyston,” he states. Savage is a father of three children: Samantha, 6; Nicholas, 3; and Curtis, 2. After having children, Savage’s perspective shifted. “I want my kids to have the best of everything,” says Savage. He is grateful for the support offered through the Greyston Foundation including childcare as well as taking advantage of the business and training programs through Greyston’s Workforce and Development Center. Savage is working on getting his GED and certification in food safety. When asked what his aspirations are for his future beyond Greyston Bakery, Savage confidently replied, “I plan on going to college, focusing on healthcare…then work towards becoming an RN.”

Save the Date: June 15

A key fundraiser benefitting the Greyston Foundation will be held on June 15 at Chef/Owner Peter Kelly’s Xaviars X2O on the Hudson in Downtown Yonkers. For additional info, please contact karent@greyston.org.