The Village Bakery owners, Dana and Todd Bellefeuille, have built their Hayden establishment around a workforce model that helps people with disabilities develop skills for future employment and independent living.

Located at 190 W. Hayden, the bakery employs 21 people, about 90% of whom have disabilities, says Dana. Employees gain experience in baking, food and drink preparation, customer service, dishwashing, laundry, and handling delivery orders.

"This is a very safe place to get a feel of what it's like to have a job, because a lot of them don't have any work experience coming into the industry," Dana says of most employees. "We're able to build a good foundation for them so they can either stay with us or go on to other employment."

One former employee went on to attend school to become a veterinary technician, later finding employment in the field, Dana says. Others have moved into their own apartments and are now living more independently than before.

For Dana, the company's mission grew from her family's experience. The couple has two children with disabilities: a daughter who has cerebral palsy after being born prematurely, and a son who is on the autism spectrum.

The idea for The Village Bakery began taking shape seven years ago when their son participated in Project Search through Kootenai Health, Dana explains. Project Search provides education and workplace training to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, combining classroom instruction with internships and job-development activities.

During her son's participation in the program, Dana recalls watching another participant, a young woman with Down syndrome, give a presentation about her dreams of working in a bakery or coffee shop.

"That's how it all came together," she says.

With decades of experience as a pastry chef under her apron, Dana says she realized she could combine her baking background with her experience in supporting people with disabilities.

The bakery's model also has attracted attention beyond North Idaho. Dana says she receives social media messages from people around the world interested in creating similar platforms. The company's TikTok account has more than 50,000 followers.

"If I could see this model go across the United States, that would be absolutely amazing," she says.

Other employers don't have to replicate the bakery's model to make a difference, she adds.

"I'm not saying to work with 30 people, but get to know one, help one," Dana says. "Lives will be forever enriched by taking the time to just connect with one."