NextGen Thriving Awards $33,500 Grant to Invictus Bakery to Expand Job Training for Individuals with Special Needs
NextGen Thriving is proud to announce Invictus Bakery as the 2024 Grant Award Recipient, providing $33,500 to support an innovative pilot program in partnership with AHRCNYC (Advocacy, Humanity, Reimagination, Change – NYC). This initiative will bring Invictus Bakery’s proven training model to young people with developmental disabilities who attend a major NYC DayHab program (sponsored by AHRCNYC), equipping them with essential job skills and sustainable employment opportunities.
This grant will help fund project management, staff training, technology and software application development, and supplies and equipment, ensuring the successful implementation of this program. By expanding its reach, Invictus Bakery is creating a scalable model for inclusive employment, setting a new standard for vocational training and employment in the culinary industry.
Invictus’ vision of a world that values and respects the unique capacities, contributions, and goals of every person with autism and special needs is personal to me,” said Richard Ricks, Founder of NextGen Thriving and Founder and CEO of Silver Tree Consulting & Services. “I founded NextGen Thriving in loving memory of my son, Patrick, born with special needs. I have also seen the power of specialized training firsthand through my Godson with autism. Provided with an opportunity to train with ARC of Northern Virginia, he gained customer service skills that literally changed his life and gave him purpose. I am committed to continuing their legacy by supporting organizations with this essential mission.”
A Vision for Inclusive Employment
Founded in March 2017, Invictus Bakery believes that adults with autism and special needs can succeed in demanding jobs given the right training and technological tools. The organization is led by the mother of a child with autism, Molly Sebastian, and a special needs expert with over 19 years of experience in special education, Alison Berkley.
Upon opening, Invictus Bakery launched its Work Readiness/Job Training classes focused on creating products for the culinary sector. The organization began with the highly successful proof-of-concept product, No Bones About It dog biscuits, before expanding into other baked goods. Soon, through partnerships with large corporations, Invictus was able to create jobs for young adults with autism and special needs by enabling these partners to hire them as Certified Bakers to supply baked goods for company meetings and events.
Our Certified Bakers make and produce beautiful, high quality small batch items. For companies that want to show a commitment to inclusive hiring — this is the way to do it.” – Molly Sebastian, Founder & CEO
Now, with a professional bakery in Brooklyn, Invictus has expanded its programming to offer a range of classes, including an Introduction to Culinary Course, a Cake School focused on cake baking and decoration, and Hire Me, a partnership between corporations and the Invictus Bakery to facilitate regular, custom orders, generating steady employment opportunities for certified bakers. All classes provide participants with customized vocational training where they can develop their work-readiness and job-specific skills. Invictus’s programs are open to the public and anyone can join (ages 14+). Invictus prides itself on being a truly inclusive learning and work environment where individuals with special needs are empowered from all five boroughs of New York City, including non-speakers and minimal speakers.
To learn more about this incredible organization, visit: https://invictusbakery.org/.