Special Kneads & Treats began its journey in 2008 when co-founders Tempa and Michael Kohler started thinking about plans for their son who has Fragile X Syndrome. They soon realized that there were few options available for adults with special needs as they aged out of county-supported programs.
To address this need, Tempa and Michael created their own nonprofit bakery in Lawrenceville, GA, serving specialty goods while providing special needs adults a place to learn a skill and develop a sense of accountability and pride.
Staff members gain valuable work experience and training to encourage self-confidence, a sense of value, and the opportunity to enjoy success and socialization As Michael says about their core mission: “Everyone kneads to be kneaded.”
Special Kneads & Treats first reached out to Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta in 2016 when they needed assistance purchasing a larger facility for their growing operation. PBPA Senior Corporate and Tax Counsel Robyn Miller also suggested that they go through a Nonprofit Legal Check Up to identify other potential legal needs. “Critical areas were addressed first to ensure that all things were in place to promote the safety and security of the nonprofit” said Michael, who serves as CEO. “This support has proven priceless in securing larger donors and grants that continue to allow us to impact the lives of special needs adults as well as children in our community.”
Over the last seven years, Special Kneads & Treats has worked with Robyn and ten PBPA volunteer attorneys on issues such as bylaw revisions, sales tax compliance and worker classification.
“Now we can focus on our mission and have full confidence that all legal matters that may crop up will be handled with professionalism, expediency, and clear resolve without added stress and worry on us.” Michael adds, “We have been tremendously blessed by PBPA.”
As active members of their community, Tempa and Michael have taken the lessons learned from PBPA programs such as Legal Check Up and Rapid Remedy and spread the word to others. “I would have to say that my favorite part of working with PBPA is the massive amount of learning that has been realized through this journey thus far. The knowledge obtained has allowed us to be an example in our community for other nonprofits – we get to share what PBPA has given to us.”
Some of the PBPA volunteer attorneys who have recently worked with the Special Kneads & Treats include Kitty Cohen (Eversheds Sutherland), Erika Gardner (The Home Depot), Lisa Sims (Cisco Systems), Guanming Ray (Priority Technology Holdings), and David Burch (Stonemont Financial Group).