Mission & Need Sunflower Bakery is an exciting enterprise that combines skills training with actual work experience. Our mission is to prepare individuals with developmental or other cognitive disabilities for employment in baking and related industries through skilled, on-the-job training. These are challenging times for many, but challenges are even greater for individuals with disabilities. Unemployment for such individuals is 60% in Maryland and 30% in Montgomery County. Sunflower Bakery provides training critical for achieving workplace success in a totally inclusive environment. Our trainees produce high quality, kosher, non-dairy baked goods for businesses, schools, organizations and individuals in the greater Washington, DC area. They work alongside adult volunteers and staff, who do not have disabilities, to better simulate a typical bakery experience. Whereas many programs prepare individuals with differing disabilities for job readiness, Sunflower offers a one-year, two-phase program including transferable on-site skill training, as well as the opportunity for an internship during which participants can hone skills and continue to learn. An unique aspect of Sunflower involves engaging “Employer Partners” in Metro DC. These relationships raise employer awareness of the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities, Moreover, such partners assist with job preparedness of trainees and hire trainees for internships leading toward employment