New Documentary Shows How Hudson Valley Bakery Turns Lives Around

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Shawna Stewart wanted a chance to work, but child care responsibilities and lack of experience held her back.

Constantly rejected by employers, the single mother of five was desperate. As she searched for the means to care for her kids, she even thought about giving them up for adoption.

Then, in 2016 she heard about Greyston Bakery and she applied for a job. Greyston never asked her for her resume, did no background check, asked no questions – just offered her work and training.

"Greyston saved my entire family," Stewart told Patch. "I feel like a new person: good about myself and my future. Best of all I can really be the example to my kids that I have always wanted and tried to be and my kids are proud of me. I thank Greyston for that."

Now Stewart's story — and Grayston's mission — are the subjects of a documentary.

"Wide Open Dreams," created by a young Westchester Community College film student, will be released May 17 during a virtual premier party and fundraiser to benefit Greyston’s workforce development and community wellness programs.

Greyston’s Open Hiring® business model, and heart and soul, is to provide employment and no-cost development programs to anyone in need. The object is to turn lives around.

“Our mission is about how we can unleash the power of human potential through more inclusive hiring practices,” said Joe Kenner, Greyston’s CEO. “We have been leading this effort with our Open Hiring model since 1982. Stories like Shawn’s embody our mission. My hope is that others will join us on this great journey."

Paulina Jaskiewicz, the film’s director, discovered Greyston as a member of the community college's "Commit to Change" group.

"When I met Shawna, and heard about her struggles and her success, I knew hers was the story I wanted to tell," Jaskiewicz said.

"I couldn’t imagine how a business could be successful by hiring anyone who asked for a job," she said. "After doing some research and learning more about Greyston’s mission, I knew that other companies should be doing something like this."

The film premiere of "Wide Open Dreams" will be followed by a panel discussion about how companies can create positive change in the communities where they do business. Panelists will include: Stewart, Jaskiewicz, Kenner, and Cheryl Pinto, global values-based sourcing manager at Ben & Jerry’s – Greyston’s long-term partner.

The Zoom event is $150 per person. Register here.

Meanwhile, Grayston's work goes on. The nonprofit is creating Open Hiring regional hubs and continues to partner with other companies, such as The Body Shop or Giant Eagle.

"We also continue to provide job training, job skilling to move our clients into emerging fields and careers," Kenner told Patch. "Interested parties can go to our website to donate to support our mission to create a more inclusive economy and/or reach out and get connected to our Center for Open Hiring."

Jaskiewicz told Patch she plans to submit "Wide Open Dreams" to film festivals. Learn more about the making of the film at wideopendreamsfilm.com.