PORTLAND, Ore. — In the heart of Multnomah Village, there's more to Sarah Bellum’s Bakery & Workshop than just a place for a sweet treat. Founded in 2016 by Dr. Rik Lemoncello, a speech-language pathologist who has a passion for baking, the bakery has become a sanctuary of sorts.
"We're a cupcake specialty shop. Our main product is cupcakes," Lemoncello said.
Sarah Bellum's — named after the word cerebellum, the brain's coordination center — serves a deeper purpose beyond baking. It operates as a nonprofit program dedicated to supporting adults with acquired brain injuries, helping them to integrate back into the community. The bakery is staffed by rehabilitation therapists in managerial roles, enabling individuals like Brent, who has worked at the bakery for seven years, to stay engaged and active within the community. Depending on his duties, he goes by Sir Mixalot or Sir Scoopsalot.
Brent, now 60, survived a traumatic brain injury after an altercation when he was in his twenties. Once a mechanical engineer with a full scholarship for grad school at Penn State, he spent three months in a coma and was told he'd never live independently. Defying odds, Brent now handles the entire baking process independently during his four-hour shift.
"Hey, I can do that... here I am!" he asserts proudly, having taken on even the more challenging tasks like preparing harder, thicker batters.
The bakery ensures that every team member can succeed by modifying recipes to be incredibly detailed and using color-coded, labeled systems for ingredients and equipment.
"We've modified the recipes to be very explicit. Our recipes are about 25 steps," Lemoncello said.
This meticulous approach allows individuals like Brandon, who was severely injured when a car he was in was rear-ended, to thrive. Brandon has grown to love baking.
"I knew nothing about baking, and this has certainly opened up my eyes to the world of baking and just becoming a better person in general," he said.
Lemoncello said Sarah Bellum’s emphasizes progress over perfection, providing each person with a tailored job during their four-hour shifts.
"This is my life. When I’m not here, I sit at home watching TV and that’s not cool. So this is great," Brent said, talking about the camaraderie and purpose he finds in coming to work.
For everyone at Sarah Bellum's, the bakery isn't just about making cupcakes; it's about making a difference, offering a sense of accomplishment and positivity at the end of each day. Truly, the purpose it serves is the icing on the cake.
For more information about the profit, or if you'd like details on how to donate, visit Sarah Bellum's website.
