Sunflower Bakery Inc

More than just a bakery… Just two years old, the non-profit, inclusive Sunflower Bakery is providing skilled on-the-job training in pastry and baking and placing newly skilled young adults (primarily ages 18-27) with developmental or other cognitive disabilities in internships and employment throughout Metro Washington, DC.  In June 2008, a group of parents, professionals and activists concerned with the lack of vocational training and employment for individuals with developmental or other cognitive disabilities created the concept of Sunflower Bakery. In February 2010, Sunflower opened its operation in Gaithersburg, MD, expanding production to a full week to add trainees and extend training hours. As of November 2011, four of the five individuals in our (first) graduating class of 2011 are currently employed or in an internship. Seven trainees are now preparing for their upcoming internships and a new group of trainees is being interviewed to enter the program in December. Sunflower is the only inclusive program of its kind in Metro DC.

Who we help… Individuals with developmental or other cognitive disabilities, primarily young adults (ages 18-27) transitioning from school to work. Disabilities reflected in the Sunflower trainee population include autism spectrum disorders, a variety of learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bi-polar disorder, mild intellectual disabilities, speech disorders, anxiety disorder, depression and other disabling medical conditions. Work as a pastry or bakery assistant requires specialized training and these individuals are not candidates for traditional pastry programs.

• V.J. who has an autism spectrum disorder, is interested in a career decorating cakes and cookies. With the specialized job skills learned at Sunflower and through her real-world experience at a local catering company, she is on her way to realizing that goal!
• A.H. was interested in baking but didn’t know how to get into the field until his counselor discovered Sunflower and helped him to apply.  He is a “natural”, exhibiting deftness and skills required to be a pastry assistant and is now interviewing for a job.

Our goal for 2011-12…With your support, Sunflower seeks to accept 12 new young adults transitioning from school to work into the program this year.  An increasing number of young adults transitioning from school to work are learning about Sunflower Bakery. Sunflower works with area disability stakeholders including numerous service providers, agencies, residential programs, public and private schools, community college, local government, foundations and families of individuals with disabilities.

What we do…Sunflower prepares these individuals for employment through a 12-month program with instruction in our production pastry kitchen under the tutelage of a professional pastry chef and continued learning in an external internship. Businesses are collaborators as Employer Partners, assisting with job preparedness, providing practice interviews and offering real-world internships leading toward employment.

The need--- Nationally it is approximated that in most areas at least 65% of individuals with such disabilities are unemployed or underemployed. In Montgomery County, MD alone, it is estimated that 30% of individuals with developmental disabilities are unemployed. Kathy Kolan, Director of Transition Services for Montgomery County Public Schools, affirms that “[i]n this challenging economic time far fewer options are available to such young adults because of the great competition for jobs from more experienced individuals.”  

$22 provides a 50lb. bag of all-purpose flour

$60 provides a weekly stipend during a trainee’s internship

$100: baking supplies (e.g. consumables) needed for 2 weeks of training

$240 provides a monthly stipend during a trainee’s internship

$500: provides ingredients needed for one month of training

#give2max