Detroit nonprofit teaching life skills through baking and selling brownies

The Better Detroit Brownie Company, led by program manager Ruben Gordon, serves as a unique platform that combines baking with youth development. This nonprofit focus is on empowering children and teens with essential life and business skills through the art of baking brownies. "The Better Detroit brownie company is where great kids, great brownies and great causes get together for our greater Detroit," Gordon explains, highlighting the program's community impact.

Through their baking activities, participants learn valuable skills such as patience, confidence, and mathematics, which Gordon notes are often overlooked but vital for personal development. The organization operates under the auspices of the Better Detroit Youth Movement, whose co-founder, Harlan Bivens, emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for young people that extend beyond conventional involvement.

After extensive experimentation in the kitchen, the nonprofit has developed an impressive selection of about a dozen brownie recipes, including unique flavors like coffee-toffee crunch and seasonal peppermint chocolate. These treats are available at local retailers and can also be ordered online, bringing a sweet twist to community engagement.

Purchasing these brownies not only delights the palate but also supports youth programs. Each participant has the opportunity to sell the brownies they bake, earning a percentage of the profits and donating part back into their respective programs. This entrepreneurial approach fosters a sense of responsibility and community involvement among the young bakers.

In summary, the Better Detroit Brownie Company adeptly combines baking with education and social enterprise, creating a nourishing environment for youth. As they develop essential skills and engage with the community, they also contribute positively to the broader Detroit area through both their baking and the programs they support.