At Bear’s Boomin’ Bakery, the smell of cookies and coffee fills the room. But what is actually being created here is trust, self-sufficiency, and happiness. The Manhattan Children’s Center designed this bakery to give students with autism practical work experience in a relaxed atmosphere. Every cupcake-covered and cup-filled is teamwork, patience, and pride. Bear Boomin Bakery has not only been a kitchen, but also a life classroom that gives students the ability, purpose, and possibilities to shape their future.
A Bakery That Builds Confidence
Each morning, the aroma of freshly baked bread fills the kitchen — and with it rises something even more important: confidence. At Bear’s Boomin’ Bakery(BBB), students learn, practice, and grow through work they enjoy. Every batch baked and every order served strengthens their sense of purpose and pride.
The bakery offers a secure space where students discover what they’re capable of. Whether it’s frosting cupcakes, greeting a customer, or managing tasks independently, confidence grows here — one batch at a time — in a safe, warm environment filled with encouragement.
How It All Started
The idea for Bear’s Boomin’ Bakery began with a need. As our students approached graduation, inclusive employment opportunities were limited. So, MCC decided to create one — a workplace where everyone can belong, contribute, and succeed.
At The Manhattan Children’s Center, our mission has always been to help students with autism develop life skills, independence, and self-confidence.
The bakery became an extension of that mission, built around four core goals:
- Create real work experiences for students with autism.
- Build a space that’s safe, warm, and inclusive.
- Prepare students for life beyond school.
- Show that everyone deserves meaningful work.
More Than a Bakery
Bear’s Boomin’ Bakery is a social enterprise — not driven by profit, but by purpose. Here, learning happens through doing.
Every student plays an essential role:
- Measure and mix ingredients.
- Bake cookies and muffins.
- Label coffee cups and boxes.
- Greet customers and handle payments.
- Create custom cards and tote bags.
Each task builds independence, teamwork, and pride. Step by step, students gain practical skills and confidence that extend well beyond the kitchen.
A Day at the Bakery
An average day at Bear’s Boomin’ Bakery starts early. The students report to work at 9:00 AM and work until 11.30 AM. At this period, they cook, wrap, and serve.
Customers visit during two windows:
- 8:30–9:30 AM: morning coffee and snacks.
- 11:30 AM–1:00 PM: lunch break treats.
This structure teaches students time management, teamwork, and social interaction in real-world settings — lessons that last a lifetime.
Learning in Every Step
At Bear’s Boomin’ Bakery, every step of the process is a learning opportunity. Repetition, consistency, and gentle guidance help students grow and thrive. Small triumphs turn into long-term success as they build:
- Communication skills through greeting and serving customers.
- Organization by managing baking tools and ingredients.
- Patience while following recipes and waiting for results.
- Problem-solving when things don’t go as planned.
- Confidence in their growing abilities.
Each activity prepares them for a more confident, self-reliant future.
Empowering Students Beyond the Classroom
At MCC, education should go beyond books. That’s why the bakery plays a vital role in our broader mission — teaching life lessons that can’t be learned at a desk.
Here, students experience:
- Responsibility through assigned roles
- Teamwork while collaborating with peers
- Pride when completing a task successfully
- Joy in serving others
This is more than job training — it’s empowerment in action, building both character and capability.
Inside the Bakery Buzz
What students learn here reaches far beyond the kitchen. Every cupcake frosted is a lesson in patience and precision. Every interaction builds confidence and communication.
They learn to:
- Follow multi-step directions
- Communicate clearly with others
- Adapt when things change
- Stay calm under pressure
- Appreciate teamwork and structure
All these skills will equip them to work in the future and live in the community.
A Sweet Taste of Independence
Independence doesn’t happen overnight. But at Bear’s Boomin’ Bakery, students learn it through daily practice. Each shift builds their confidence in what they can do.
We’ve seen shy students begin greeting customers with confidence, and others manage tasks independently. Every milestone, no matter how small, is celebrated as proof that growth happens when opportunity meets support.
Looking Toward the Future
Bear’s Boomin’ Bakery isn’t open to the public just yet. But something exciting is coming soon. We’re preparing to share our baked goods — and our mission — with a wider community.
Our vision is to expand opportunities for more MCC students and to show that with the right support, every dream is possible. The bakery stands as a symbol of belief turned into action.
More Than a Business — A Community
At the heart of Bear’s Boomin’ Bakery is one simple belief: anyone can do it. When people are given the right tools and encouragement, amazing things happen.
Every loaf, cookie, and cup of coffee carries that message. At MCC, we take pride in our students’ accomplishments — they remind us daily that ability prevails over limitation.
Together, we’re building skills, self-esteem, and bright futures — one sweet moment at a time.
Because at Bear’s Boomin’ Bakery, we don’t just bake — we empower, engage, and believe.
And with each new day, we rise together — stronger, prouder, and ready for what’s next.