Spreading Inclusion One Blondie at a Time at Bake Ability Bakery

Five years ago, Paula Fasciano and her husband moved back to Bucks County so that her two sons with Fragile X Syndrome could attend the Central Bucks School District. Through her years in the Marlboro Township and Freehold Regional (NJ) school systems, and then Central Bucks, Paula made it her mission to bond with other parents with children of special abilities. In doing so, she created a supportive village that she remains close with today. So when the opportunity to buy a bakery space presented itself, this village encouraged Paula to take the leap and open Bake Ability Bakery in the Buckingham Green Shopping Center in Holicong, PA. “Let’s do it!” became the motto for Paula and her village, and do it she did. 

Paula saw the life experiences that her sons, and other young adults in the special education system, were missing out on and wanted to provide them a safe space for learning. Family recipes were gathered and shared with the bakery, and Paula and her village began training her staff.

“We’re not all things to all people,” Paula said, so customers can expect a menu on the leaner side. But the baked goods they do offer? Simply delicious. You can tell why these recipes were famous in each family, and why they sell out at Bake Ability. While I have my favorites (the marble brownie and salted caramel blondie), the staff at Bake Ability also adore the baked goods they are creating: 

• One employee, Dane, loves the Blondie and is always sure to bring one home at the end of his shift. 
• Paula’s sons Ben and Matt love more than one item they sell but have their favorites. Ben loves the Chocolate Chip cookies and his brother Matt is working hard on creating Philly sports themed cookies (in particular the Phillies’ “P”).

Getting acquainted with the sweet tooth of every customer is not the primary goal for Bake Ability, but the bonus. Paula wanted to create a work environment that would give her employees, who often have special abilities, independence, valuable life skills, and a comfortable workplace. She hopes that her employees will one day leave her bakery in order to join other businesses to create a more inclusive society. Paula wants all workplaces to create “well rounded” employment with people of all abilities. Unfortunately, not every place of business is as inclusive as it needs to be. That’s where Paula’s dream is expanding.

Her nonprofit, Recipe for Life, aims to encourage small business owners to create businesses with inclusivity in mind. Paula’s goal is to present her business model to entrepreneurs in order to ensure that adults of all abilities have the same opportunity as their peers for gainful and fulfilling employment. For parents of children with special needs, the constant worry for their children’s future never wavers, so Paula wants to encourage all business owners to create a community where all children will thrive.

It is evident that Paula, the families of her employees, and many volunteers are building a workplace that is making an impact on her staff. Each member of her staff has their favorite jobs, and they all work as a team to accomplish their goals each day. Dane’s ideal part of the job? “Avoid working with mom!” While his mom volunteers at Bake Ability and is present to help in any way that Paula needs, Dane loves having some space from his mom to contribute to the daily needs of the bakery. Ben says the register is like a video game and enjoys manning the front of the bakery on his shifts. You can find Matt working hard on his cookies in the back, with a huge smile on his face. 

You can taste, smell, and see the love and determination that goes into the baked goods at Bake Ability. It is an honor to live in a community with these families who are encouraging their loved ones with special abilities to achieve their dreams, while calling to action their community to continue fighting for inclusion in the workforce. 

Be sure to pop into Bake Ability or order from their catering menu for your next gathering—I promise you, you won’t be disappointed. This sweet and savory bakery will make a repeat customer out of you!