Student Stories

In January 2025, Mia successfully completed the Pastry Arts Program at Sunflower Bakery. During her time in the program, Mia worked hard to grow her baking skills and gain meaningful experience to begin her career. After six months of training, Mia joined Job Services seeking a part-time position where she could continue to refine her skills in a supportive environment. After a short time, she accepted a position in the Bakery Department at Wegmans where she would focus on preparing and decorating pastries. Although she was shy at first, Mia worked hard to learn her tasks and quickly became an important member of the team. Looking ahead, Mia dreams of opening her own bakery—a goal that now feels closer than ever.

“Sunflower really helped me gain the confidence to pursue my dream.” — Mia

In January 2025, Julia completed the Hospitality Program, where her bubbly personality and bright positivity left lasting impressions on both her instructors and customers. After completing the program, Julia joined Job Services with the goal of finding a part-time role focused on working directly with customers. When our employer partner, Nothing Bundt Cakes, was opening a new location and needed Joy Creators for their front counter, Julia was an immediate match due to her cheerfulness and passion for delivering the best customer service. Julia adapted seamlessly to her new role, quickly becoming known for her upbeat attitude and always having a smile on her face. Thanks to her dedication and natural talent for customer service, she has since completed the Job Services program and accepted more responsibilities within the company.

“Sunflower gave me the tools to grow, the support to succeed, and the push I needed to shine! ” — Julia

Adam joined the Hospitality Program at Sunflower Bakery with a clear goal: to gain the skills and experience needed to launch his career. At first, Adam was reserved and faced the unique challenge of navigating the program with hearing loss, which impacted how he learned and made it tough to advocate for his needs. Recognizing his potential, his instructors worked closely with him to build his confidence and help him find his voice. By Phase 2, Adam was thriving. Working directly with customers, he demonstrated incredible growth and natural leadership. That momentum carried straight into Job Services, where he took full initiative—independently searching and applying for roles. When a Hospitality Instructor approached him about a Banquet Server opening at Marriott, Adam jumped at the chance. He underwent specialized, hands-on training to master the role’s responsibilities, aced the interview, and landed the job. Today, Adam is rightfully proud of his achievements—a testament to his hard work, resilience, and dedication.

“I learned so much from Sunflower and feel more confident in myself now” — Adam

Caleb is a proud member of the first graduating class of the Culinary Arts Program. His passion for culinary and an eagerness to learn led him to approach every day in the program as an opportunity to grow. He worked closely with the chefs to strengthen his skills and better understand how to accommodate his learning needs. After completing the program, Caleb accepted an internship role in the kitchen where he supported new students with recipe preparation and learning their tasks. When he transitioned into Job Services, Caleb’s goal was to get a position in a restaurant or catering company. He worked hard to research companies in his area and was able to get an interview with Taste of Montreal and was shortly offered a position. Today, Caleb works hard to prepare catering orders with his team and is enjoying having hands-on experience in Culinary.

“The people at Sunflower really care about meeting each student’s needs and helping them to do their best. ” — Caleb