Dion Drew didn't have an easy start to life — the cards were stacked against him for as long as he can remember. He recalls his mother working to jobs only to barely make ends meet for herself and her children. Seeing little opportunity to build a better life for himself, Dion started selling drugs at age 14. It had him in and out of prison for years, and his incarceration record closed many doors on an honest future after he was released.
That's where Yonkers, NY's Greyston Bakery came in.
Greyston has an "open hiring policy" its community members. They walk in, place their name on a list for employment, and are offered the next available opening — no questions asked. "Anyone that comes to the front door of our bakery is given the chance to work, no questions asked," writes Greyston on its website. "When a job becomes available we hire the next person on our waiting list."
Dion remembers getting the call and started immediately. He moved quickly through the ranks, from an apprentice to a senior-level training position in 6 years' time. "I'm not rich," he says through tears, recalling how Greyston helped change his life, "but I'm happy."
"Everybody deserves a second chance. You've got to get to know people," he says. "When you give a person a job, you're giving that person a second chance at life."
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