Treats baked by trainees at Sunflower Bakery

Trainee Verred Joharie, 21, has a mild form of Asperger’s Syndrome, a disorder on the autistic spectrum. People with the disorder often have difficulty interacting with other people and adapting to new environments.

But Joharie says her training at Sunflower has taught her to be more self-assured.

“At the beginning I was unsure. I was confused, I was anxious. Now, since they’ve helped me, it’s like I can open my eyes to the world and see what I want to do, how the world works, including working environments. I want to put myself out there, but I know it’s going to take a little bit more time for me.”

Into the workforce

Joharie was one of five students to graduate from Sunflower’s training program this past September - the first group to complete the program since it began.

Sunflower Bakery's desserts are boxed and ready to be delivered.

The aspiring young baker did so well that Sunflower hired her - for pay - right after she completed her internship at a local caterer.

The other graduates also have promising futures in the baking industry.

Milner says the training program has been life changing for many of her students.

“When we started Sunflower bakery, we knew we wanted to try to give people opportunities," she says. "We had no idea how phenomenal the impact would be on trainees. And we’ve had people who’ve turned their lives around.”