Greyston Foundation Pioneer of Open Hiring® Opens New Offices

September 27, 2023 - Greyston, the pioneer of the no-judgment hiring process known as Open Hiring®, held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new offices in downtown Yonkers joined by a host of dignitaries who praised the organization for eliminating barriers to employment for thousands.

Dignitaries including New York State Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Westchester County Office of Economic Development Executive Director Bridget Gibbons, Yonkers Council Majority Leader Tasha Diaz and County Legislator Symra Brandon, helped celebrate the opening of Greyston’s new corporate offices on the 12th floor of 20 S. Broadway.

“We are excited to begin what we are calling a new chapter in Greyston’s history,” said Greyston’s CEO & President Joseph Kenner. “For 41 years Greyston has been unlocking human potential through inclusive employment. It began with a bakery and a Buddhist and Open Hiring®, the no questions asked, no resume, no background check form of hiring that began at the bakery. We see the bakery as the incubator of Open Hiring®, and through the Foundation we are leveraging that knowledge, sharing our insights and practices with businesses globally.”

Kenner said that next chapter would be to work with other companies to replicate the Open Hiring® process and to expand its workforce training and education programs. The new 12th-floor offices are outfitted with two state-of-the-art classrooms for workforce education programs, a business wardrobe to outfit job seekers and expanded office space.

“We know that there are folks still looking to hire people and there are people still looking for training and many of them don’t know how to find it. At Greyston’s Employment Opportunity Center we will be here providing folks with the training and support that they need to get them ready for the workforce and we will continue to do what we do at Greyston Bakery, providing jobs without judgment.’’

Over the last three years, Greyston and its replication partners have created over 5,552 Open Hire job opportunities and trained more than 450 people through its workforce development programs.

Mayor Mike Spano commended Greyston for its work and for relocating its offices in downtown Yonkers and being part of the city’s economic engine.

“Open Hiring has shown the world that if given a second chance people can really soar and reach their full potential,’’ said Spano. ”You’re showing the way so that other companies who see your success and can build on that and maybe show us an even better way.’’

New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said that the state is proud to work with partners like Greyston in advancing its goals for more equitable hiring.

“If we can figure out a way to promote the best in people and provide opportunity, then we will all benefit. That’s what America is all about. But not everyone makes that a priority. That’s why it is so special when you have an organization like Greyston that has made a priority of advancing human capital,’’ said

Stewart-Cousins.

Bridget Gibbons, Executive Director of the Westchester County Office of Economic Development, said that Greyston is currently working with the county on a job fair this month for the formerly incarcerated. She praised the organization for its work.

“Not only does the Greyston Employment Opportunity Center create pathways to success through workforce development and training programs, it is also scaling the adoption of inclusive hiring throughout businesses in America. We are proud that Greyston calls Westchester County home and look forward to supporting Greyston in any way the County possibly can,’’ said Gibbons.

Yonkers Council Majority Leader Tasha Diaz, said,

“Thank you to Greyston for being such a hub in the community, especially communities of color,’’ she said. “Greyston has given hope back to people who thought they would never get a second chance.’’

About Greyston

In 1982 Greyston founder Zen Buddhist Bernie Glassman set out to employ individuals who faced barriers to meaningful employment at the Greyston Bakery. The hiring process was simple, accept anyone with a will to work, a process we now call Open Hiring®. Through the Greyston Employment Opportunity Center (GEOC), job seekers can access workforce development and transitional (re-entry) employment programs. Clients are also paired with a social worker to help connect them external resources they may need. Finally, the Greyston Foundation also offers business services for employers interested in replicating Open Hiring or tapping into the pool of upskilled clients. In 2013 Greyston Bakery was rated Best for the World B-Corp, a designation given to the top B Corps worldwide. And in 2023, Greyston received the Social Innovator of the Year award from Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship at World Economic Forum in Davos.