By: Will Kennedy
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – Rockin’ Baker Academy, located in north Fayetteville, empowers working-aged individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to make positive impacts in the community.
The agency creates job readiness programs to teach skills and knowledge that will create confidence for a lifetime.
The bakery is a nonprofit that is meant to help people. Rockin’ Baker Academy Founder Damara Baker said, “We have a safe environment for them to strive and little by little they begin gaining that confidence and they feel they can do it.”
The mission at Rockin’ Baker is to “Find meaningful employment and maximize their independence.”
The employees will complete 432 apprenticeship hours in 3 years in order to gain a certificate of completion as a baker. The workers are assessed to determine their capabilities that can be adjusted to fit their needs.
Baker said, “They have so much talent and I like to say they are hidden gems that you have to pull back the stem a little to see them shine.”
The bakery focuses on interaction with other team members while also learning the skills of wholesale production of baked goods.
They are also teaching the skills of being trusted.
Baker said, “They are the most trustful and loyal individuals that you can every imagine.”
For more information visit the Rockin Baker website.