Why We Give: Nonprofit bakery in St. Paul hires teens for 1st job

Every year, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS highlights the work that local organizations are doing.

It’s part of our Why We Give series.

For the past 33 years, the Cookie Cart bakeries in East St. Paul and North Minneapolis have been helping teens in the community by providing job experience and offering leadership training.

The nonprofit organization hires people 15-21 years old for their first job. The employees are required to take courses about leadership, financial and communication.

Matt Halley is the executive director for Cookie Cart and says teens will start off as interns and are paid for their achievements. After three months of the internship and classes, they are then hired as regular employees and can work in the bakery for an hourly wage.

"Learning how to be effective leaders – first in the bakery setting, and then they have opportunities to lead Cookie Cart in community settings," Halley said.

One of those teens who has worked their way up in the bakery is Josh McCullough. McCullough was recently promoted to lead baking assistant and says he started at Cookie Cart in 2016.

"I find it very peaceful; it’s not really a stressful environment for me," McCullough said about measuring and mixing the cookie dough in the bakery.

McCullough says Cookie Cart gave him his first job experience.

"Me personally, I would rather work here as like a first job than almost anywhere else," McCullough said.

He also found the financial literacy courses he was required to take to be helpful.

"It really set my mind straight when it came to spending my money wisely," McCullough said.

McCullough went on to get another job and says he learned valuable lessons from Cookie Cart.

"Outside of Cookie Cart when I was at my other job, it really taught me to be, like, patient," McCullough said.

Cookie Cart is a nonprofit organization that relies heavily on community support.

According to Halley, one of the easiest ways to give is to buy cookies. There are two bakery locations, one in St. Paul and one in Minneapolis. Both are open Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Halley also says you can volunteer or make a monetary donation.

"We always welcome contributions in the form of cash, check, stock gifts," Halley said. "That makes up about a third of our income."

Find more information on Cookie Cart and how to get involved here.