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Cypress House Bakery seeks to transform lives and communities by providing the previously incarcerated direct support through paid apprenticeships, vocational training, and aid in securing permanent employment.
who we are
l e o f c o n t e n t s
why we do what we do
board of directors
3 kitchen renovations pics 5 on behalf of the board 8 gratefulness for our founder meet our operations manager
Cypress House was incorporated in response to the skyrocketing incarceration rates in Scranton’s Lackawanna County, which has one of the highest incarceration rates in the state. It is our hope that Cypress House Bakery will counter prevalent societal will, policies, and practices that continue sustained employment inequities toward the formerly incarcerated.
Lackawanna County ranks amongst the highest in the
Lackawanna County ranks amongst the highest in the nation in experiencing extreme racial and societal biases nation in experiencing extreme racial and societal biases against those reentering the community post-incarceration. against those reentering the community post-incarceration. Black Americans, in particular, are disproportionately likely Black Americans, in particular, are disproportionately likely to be incarcerated and to receive the harshest sentences, to be incarcerated and to receive the harshest sentences, including death sentences. In Pennsylvania, Black citizens including death sentences. In Pennsylvania, Black citizens comprise almost 13% of the total population, but make up comprise almost 13% of the total population, but make up 46% of those incarcerated.* 46% of those incarcerated.*
The challenges the reentry population face is exacerbated
The challenges the reentry population face is exacerbated by being largely shut out of the labor market. About 60% by being largely shut out of the labor market. About 60% of formerly incarcerated people are jobless and earnings of formerly incarcerated people are jobless and earnings for those who are employed are lower than the general for those who are employed are lower than the general population, earning 53% of the median wage.** Yet we know population, earning 53% of the median wage.** Yet we know that having a stable, full-time job reduces recidivism.*** that having a stable, full-time job reduces recidivism.***
Cypress House aims to provide hope and transformation to Cypress House aims to provide hope and transformation to the formerly incarcerated by standing with them, investing the formerly incarcerated by standing with them, investing in their futures, and dispelling the illusion that we are in their futures, and dispelling the illusion that we are sseparate. eparate.
There is no “ us ” and “them” There is no “ us ” and “them”
*Prison Policy Initiative, <https://www prisonpolicy org/blog/2023/09/27/updated race data/>
**Skardhamar, T. & Telle, K. (2012). Post-release employment and recidivism in Norway. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 28, 629–649
***Wang, L. & Bertram, W. (2022). New data on formerly incarcerated people’s employment reveal labor market injustices, Prison Policy Initiative
Before demolition began Before demolition began
At the end of week one
At the end of week one
h e n r e n o p i c s
professionals, attorneys, a bakery owner, a retired judge, a banker, prisoner advocates, representatives from faith-based organizations, business professionals, a community organizer, and university professors. Above all, we are committed to the vision and mission of Cypress House at St Luke's
This is a very exciting time for us to be in leadership here at Cypress House Ideas imagined years ago have gained momentum and are being realized. Looking back over this past year, Cypress House’s achievements were impactful:
We hired our first full-time employee.
We held a Board Visioning Workshop.
We sponsored a Reentry Simulation with the Department of Corrections.
And , perhaps most importantly, we began the renovation of the parish kitchen!
I am honored and energized to serve as acting chief executive officer this year, and I hope to continue the amazing momentum the Board has achieved over this past year. But achieving our mission takes continuous support. On behalf of the Board, I thank you for your part in breathing life into Cypress House Bakery. We have a lot to be excited about. I can't wait to see what we will achieve together in the coming days! 5
Dr. Elizabeth Bonczar, PhD Mineral Economist; Business Administrator , Beta Bread Bakery & Deli
Ms. Valerie Lower Past Volunteer & Advocate , Coordinator of CASA , Luzerne County
Mr Ken Goody Foundation Executive of the D H Ross Foundation
Ms. Alejandra Marroquin Community Organizer, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Dr Robert B Peiffer, PhD, Board Assistant Secretary Retired Minister , United Church of Christ
Dr. Michael Jenkins, PhD Chair , Criminal Justice & Criminology, Professor , The University of Scranton
Ms. Carol C.
Board Co-Treasurer Vice President Peoples Security Bank
Mr Brandon R Reish, Esq Asst Federal Public Defender , Office of Federal Public Defender for Middle District of PA , Scranton
Dr Helen M Wolf, PhD, Board VP & Acting CEO Director of Mission Integration, Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, NY
Board Co-Treasurer President & CEO
Ms Eileen Occhipinti Prison Advocate , Lackawanna County Prison; PA CURE Advocate
The Rev'd Rebecca A. Barnes, Rector, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Scranton
Mr. Matthew L. Clemente, Esq., Matthew Clemente Law
Ms. Sharon Crandall, Prism Restorative Justice Ministries, Los Angeles, CA
Mr. James Fitzpatrick, American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA)
Mr. Roger Mattes, Esq., Mattes & Mattes Law
Ms. Jane Merolla, Vice President, Volunteers of America
Mr. Albert R. Murray, Jr., Attorney at Law
Sr. Terry O’Rourke, IHM, L.S.W., Past President of St. Joseph's Center, Scranton
The Rev'd Susan Treanor, Priest-in-Charge, Trinity Church, Mt. Pocono
Mr. Brian Woods, Proprietor, Beach Lake Bakery
Brian Goble began his employment with CHB on August 26, 2024. He brings a wealth of experience and empathy to our organization. His unique background and skills enhance our ability to serve our community effectively. We welcome him to the CHB family!
manager
completed her rectorship at St. Luke’s Episcopal
Church in Scranton this past June after leading the congregation for over eight years. Her new ministry takes her to Buffalo, New York where she serves as dean of St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral.
Many here in Scranton will remember her for her deep faith, her promotion of inclusivity, her fantastic sermons, her beautiful singing voice, or for being the first woman to serve as rector of the parish For us, we will remember her for founding Cypress House
Out of a deep commitment to social justice, Mother Barnes realized that there was so much potential in what could be done with the underutilized parish house that might assist folks in need. With the counsel of her parishioners, she filed Articles of Incorporation in 2016 and Cypress House at St. Luke’s sprang to life. This post-prison reentry program will offer a comprehensive curriculum in which trainees will learn all aspects of the bakery business to not just offer employment but career skills that can take them into the future. Along with the skills, Mother Barnes wished to foster self-esteem, self-reliance, and purpose among those who would cross the Cypress House Bakery threshold
Because of Mother Barnes’ vision, Cypress House at St. Luke’s will make way for an important shift away from how society treats those previously incarcerated. She taught us and showed us everyday to strive to be what we hope the world will become a community where people can heal and gain skills so they can be transformed and live a life infused with hope and dignity
We will be forever grateful to the Rev’d Rebecca Barnes. Her work will live on in us and all to follow. We ask our Creator to bless her in this moment and in all the moments to come.
There-designwilltransformtheexistingkitchenintoabakeryartsclassroom.
AsignedagreementisinplacebetweentheVestryofSt.Luke‘s andCypressHouseBakery.
TheRev.SusanTreanor,founderofconstructionmanagementconsultant agencySusanTreanorAssociates,Inc.(andaformerCHboardmember) hasofferedtooverseethekitchenrenovation.
BrianGoblebeganhistenureastheOperationsManager ofCypressHouseBakery.
Thisincreaseisdueinparttoare-designoffundraisingcampaigns whichgarnered$35,023inpublicsupport-a37%increasefromlastyear.
CHBtherecipientofthreegrants
ESSABank&TrustFoundation
SusquehannaCountyArts,Education,and HealthyCommunityFund,KenGoody
SarahHaasBlock(CharityVest,Inc.)
AnInstagrampagewasinitiatedandaddedtotheCHB socialmediaplatforms(inadditiontoFacebookandYouTube).
Mr. Robert Schirling, retired Vice President of Ernst & Young, facilitated this workshop during which board members reframed the mission statement to reflect their shared aspirations for the Bakery.
In this role-play activity, participants from the local community were challenged to navigate life on probation while adhering to the terms of release.
bids for
kitchen renovation received C. Scartelli General Contracting & Management LLC was selected.
A fresh and updated design was created to add functionality and improve the user experience.
A Vice President/acting CEO and an Assistant Secretary were elected to ensure a smooth transition after the resignation of the President/CEO.
Three board committees formed Development, Apprentice Admissions, and Events Committees
This workshop takes place twice a month at St. Luke’s and is facilitated by Poet Craig Czury for reentrants, including Peer2Peer members.
The Honorable Thomas I. Vanaskie and the Rev’d Dr. Tyler J. Parry
$70,000
William Penn Foundation
$55,000
Sarah Block, Charityvest Inc
$50,000
Victory Noll Empowerment Grant
United Thank Offering, The Episcopal Church
$25,000
Wyncote Foundation
Mr Sandy Insalaco
$20,000
Innovative Impact Grant, Scranton Area Community Foundation
$20,000
ESSA Bank & Trust Foundation
$10,050
Robert H. Spitz Foundation
$10,000
Schwartz Mack Foundation
Susquehanna County Arts, Education, and Healthy Community Fund, Ken Goody
$5,000 - $9,999
Becoming Beloved Community Grant, The Episcopal Church
Hawk Foundation
Matthew L. Clemente, Esq.
Thomas W. Haas
David Wegner
Honesdale National Bank Foundation
$1,000 - $4,999
Agape Church of the Epiphany • Afternoon Break Award, NEPA Gives • The Rev'd Rebecca Barnes • Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains • Sharon & Thomas Crandall • Episcopal Church Women, Diocese of Bethlehem • Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem • Carol McMullen • Sean Manns • NEPA Golden Ticket Award • Robert B. Peiffer, PhD • Rovena Schirling • TEC Grant, Clergy Assurance Fund • John T. Tighe III Foundation • Thomas Vanaskie • Herbert & Deborah Wegner
t h a n k y o u
$100 - $999
Abington Heights Music Department • Noel C. Adcroft • Rebecca Beal, PhD • Don Del Bello & Eddie Gahrmann • Elizabeth Bonczar, PhD • The Rev. Susan J. Butler • Center City Print • Anne Cianfichi • Marylou Divis • Employees of the MDPA Federal Public Defender • Dorothy Escribano, PhD • Exodus Prison and Aftercare Ministries • Amy Fleming • Susan Franchetti • J ohn Gordon • Elizabeth Haynes • Jeanne Hoffman • Jennifer Housel • Meredith Huveneers • Michael Jenkins, PhD • Nancy Jerome • Al & Marie Karam • Peter Karlovich • Melissa Lavery • Diane Lucas • Linda Magnotta • Rebecca McLaughlin • Todd Moffett • Albert R. Murray • Elizabeth Nelson • Anna Occhipinti • Eileen Occhipinti • Mark Occhipinti • Sr Terry O'Rourke, IHM • PayPal Charitable Giving Fund • John & Sandy Pesavento • Doug Posegate • Ella Rayburn • William Rayburn • Paul Raytick • Brandon Reish • Pat Rooney • Susan Ruland • Robert Schirling • Cathleen Shields • Molly Shields • Jeff Smith • Sharon & Sal Sollami • Rabbi Miriam Spitzer • Ruth Sutton • Mary Beth Tomko • Rev. Susan Treanor • Helen Trygar • Voce Angeli • Kathy Wallace • Vera Walline • The Rev. Canon William T. and Frances D. Warne • Dan Wegner • James Wegner • Melissa Welshko-Williams • Ken Williamson • Carol Winn & Diane Kraus • Anna Wolf • Erwin & Margaret Wolf • Helen M. Wolf, PhD • Philip Yevics, PhD • Jessica Yevics • Thomas Zurla
$1 - $99
Julia E. Austin • Dennis Birchall • Denise A. Brown • Richard Conaboy, Jr. • Jim Corbett • Donna Durland • Paul Farin • Jim Fitzpatrick • Michael Foley • Merin & Robin GeorgeJacob • Spike Gillespie • Katie Gilmartin • Teresa Grettano, PhD • Kathleen Griffiths • Susan Hall • Michael Hayes • Sally Jones • Jason Kavulich • Jacquelyn Kazoun • Anthony Knof • Francis X. Kranick • Diane Kraus • Michael Kunz • Adrien & Mike Lambert • Ben Levanduski • Barbara Little • Meghan Loftus • Valerie Lower • David Lucas • Robert Mace • Alejandra Marroquin • Wilfredo Medina • Lynn Moran • Joseph O’Driscoll • John and Sheila Opsasnick • Lorraine Parise • Karen Pasqualicchio • Nancy Patchen • Jim Redington S.J. • Rose Smedes • John Rowland • Cory Ruda • Rosann Santos • Kathryn Selemba • Theresa Slayton • Elena Soto, PhD • Carmel Ann Sperti-de Armas, DMin • Mary Thorne • Stephanie Tilberry • Mimi Tilberry • Bonnie Urzen • Jonathan Wilson • Richard Wilson • Stefanie Wolf • Jillian Yevics • Doris Zwanch
Bakery instructor and bakers-in-training job descriptions were drafted.
The Development Committee initiated an enewsletter to enhance CHB exposure, to link people to our website, and to inform our supporters of our progress.
A revision of the Bylaws included two significant changes pertaining to the quorum percentage and term limits.
CHB contracted with Bambee, an online HR platform, to oversee policies governing employees, and with WePay to oversee payment processing.
A reconstituted Nominating Committee will utilize nonprofit best practices to recruit new board members.
Voce Angeli, a Scranton women ’ s choral ensemble, named CHB as the honoree of their Summer 2024 concert.
CHB participated in Scranton’s July 3rd Fireworks SCRANTASTIC event on Courthouse Square.
Finalize curriculum and job-training
Finalize curriculum and job-training program to include Pennsylvania program to include Pennsylvania Certification in Food Safety Certification in Food Safety Management Management
Complete the kitchen renovations Complete the kitchen renovations
Hire the bakery instructor
Hire the bakery instructor
Interview and hire trainees
Interview and hire trainees
Initiate the bakery training program
Initiate the bakery training program
Develop a sustainability plan
Develop a sustainability plan
