Those who have children with cognitive disabilities cannot help but think about what will happen to them after their passing. That's why the After Us law of 2016 establishes the right of people with disabilities to live in society with the same freedom as others, through a series of measures issued by the State. Beyond these initiatives, there is the Associazione Ylenia e gli Amici Speciali, which aims to give dignity to people with disabilities by including them in social life, particularly with projects concerning what happens after their parents are no longer present. So far, the association has organized summer stays to promote inclusion, theatrical workshops, projects for residential autonomy, cooking workshops, and dry pastry workshops. It is precisely in this last area that the project we support fits in: the Academy of Master Biscuit Makers, an initiative that provides tools and skills to manage a biscuit factory opened in 2022 with a retail store on Via Luigi Kossuth in the Monteverde district of Rome. Through a social enterprise, the biscuit factory produces pet food, dog treats, offering over 20 young people with disabilities the opportunity to receive professional training, internships, and employment contracts. The initiative involves second-level training with the help of pastry chefs, nutritionists, and human resources specialists, and first-level training for young people with disabilities, who learn alongside future colleagues without disabilities. The goal is not only to improve the quality of life of young people with cognitive disabilities by integrating them into a productive work environment but also to continually improve the quality of pet food and dog biscuits produced, as well as to increase sales by developing appropriate marketing strategies. How? First of all, by forming a working group, establishing roles, and coordinating activities to experiment with a business model that has a horizontal, non-hierarchical process management. The working group, composed of people with disabilities, professionals who coordinate the work, and human resources operators, works toward specific objectives as a cohesive team. One of the goals, naturally, is to offer quality products and grow as a company. But there is another, even greater goal: to grow as individuals, helping young people with cognitive disabilities integrate into society and giving them new hopes and life prospects through work. Details: Location: Lazio Association: Associazione Ylenia e gli Amici Speciali Beneficiaries: Young people with cognitive disabilities Contribution: €126,000.00 Duration: October 2022 – October 2023
