YES BAKERS AND CONFECTIONERY
A CSR INITIATIVE BY IMPERIAL AUTOS INDUSTRIES LIMITED EXECUTED BY YES! WE CAN TRUST
BAKING OPPORTUNITIES, INSPIRING INDEPENDENCE, AND EMPOWERING LIVES
How We Started: The Story Behind the Initiative
YES! We Can Trust is a registered national-level non-governmental organization operating under the Indian Trust Act of 1882 with the Government of NCT Delhi since 2013. The foundation was established by Meenu Mani and Samuel Mani, who drew profound inspiration from their own lived experiences with disability. Having witnessed that many traditional welfare programs fail to create a lasting, practical impact at the ground level, they built an operational organization focused on action-oriented initiatives that address real, day-to-day challenges. Driven by continuous community feedback, the Trust identified that economic independence is the cornerstone of dignity. In 2020, in partnership with Imperial Auto Industries Limited, YES! We Can Trust launched Project Pragati to bridge this gap through structured vocational training and hands-on entrepreneurship.
What We Do: Training, Craftsmanship & Entrepreneurship
Founded by Meenu and Samuel Mani to deliver ground-level empowerment, YES! We Can Trust partnered with Imperial Auto Industries Limited in 2020 to launch Project Pragati. This three-month vocational initiative conducts tri-weekly sessions covering baking theory, demonstrations, and hands-on practice in crafting artisanal chocolates, cookies, cakes, and savory items. Following training, participants transition into YES! Bakers and Confectionery, a collaborative entrepreneurial venture supported by the Trust with workspace, commercial equipment, raw materials, and ongoing mentorship. By fulfilling corporate and festive gifting orders, the initiative provides a sustainable pathway toward financial independence and dignity.
Who We Support: Inclusion at the Core
At the heart of Project Pragati is a deep commitment to uplifting marginalized and underserved women. The initiative primarily supports women with disabilities by providing adapted workstations, accessible training methods, and a supportive atmosphere where physical limitations never hinder creative expression. To foster a truly inclusive community, the project also integrates women from economically weaker sections (EWS), enabling individuals from varied backgrounds to learn, collaborate, and thrive together. By cultivating mutual mentorship and teamwork, the initiative breaks down social barriers, builds lasting self-worth, and ensures that every participant feels valued and empowered within the larger societal fabric.
End-to-End Support and Incubation
To guarantee that financial and logistical barriers do not obstruct ambition, YES! We Can Trust provides comprehensive support throughout every phase of the venture. The organization equips the bakery with essential infrastructure, including industrial-grade ovens, specialized baking tools, and safety gear, alongside supplying premium raw materials and professional packaging solutions. Trainees receive continuous mentorship covering recipe consistency, commercial hygiene, pricing strategies, and business operations. Furthermore, the Trust actively connects the bakery to retail networks and corporate client channels, giving the women a stable platform to launch their entrepreneurial careers without bearing individual financial risks.
Activities And Market Outreach
To build practical entrepreneurial confidence, Project Pragati bridges kitchen training with active public selling. We have set up numerous exhibition and sales stalls across Delhi-NCR, participating multiple times in renowned events like the Divya Kala Mela, college campuses including YMCA, and bustling public spaces such as Dilli Haat INA. Our artisans also run festive pop-up stalls during major celebrations like Ganesh Chaturthi and the winter holiday season. Through these live marketplaces, the women interact directly with patrons, manage on-the-spot orders, and demonstrate their craftsmanship. Every stall strengthens their financial self-reliance while normalizing the visibility and leadership of persons with disabilities in everyday commerce.
Our Impact and Achievements
Since stepping into the commercial market, YES! Bakers and Confectionery has demonstrated that inclusive enterprise can deliver excellence and compete at the highest standards. The venture achieved significant milestones early on by securing and fulfilling bulk personal and corporate gifting orders during major festive seasons like Diwali and Christmas. Beyond commercial success, the truest impact lies in the profound transformation of the participants’ daily lives. Women who were once dependent on others are now contributing significantly to their household incomes, financing their families’ healthcare and education, and leading their communities with confidence, dignity, and newfound leadership.
Taste the Difference: Support Our Bakers
Every handcrafted chocolate, box of festive cookies, and freshly baked treat from YES! Bakers and Confectionery represents sheer resilience, perseverance, and honest craftsmanship. By choosing our customized baked goods for your personal celebrations, festive gifts, or corporate events, you directly sustain the livelihoods of these remarkable women and help keep their entrepreneurial dreams alive. Join hands with us, celebrate their dedication, and experience the joy of supporting meaningful, inclusive change with every bite.
