"See You Later, Inde"

I do not know how to express my gratitude for being able to feel a part of the community of people with disabilities again. It feels amazing! Today really reminded me why I decided to get my Ph.D and specifically concentrate on disability. People with disabilities inspire me. I know that I have the same passion that my mom has for the students that she works with. She taught me that everyone can learn and the joy that it can bring you to be a part of someone's accomplishments, no matter how small.

Sweet Inde Bakery...The Idea

Hello World! I, your blog author, am a struggling PhD student in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University. I am not only struggling financially like most Americans these days, but I am struggling to use my creativity that has been sucked out of me as a Masters student at University of Chicago and now research paper writing PhD student. I bake at least once a week, if not twice. For a full-time PhD student, who has a Research Assistantship for 20 hours per week, a Teaching Assistantship for 6 hours per week, independent research, a family, a supportive boyfriend and many amazing friends, baking once or twice a week is quite a bit. It's been my sweet escape into a creative world. I have been craving to transform my recent found talent as a baker into something that could bolster my other passion: people with disabilities. As a social worker, I have worked with people who struggle to overcome their physical, mental, and intellectual challenges. These people have inspired me and changed my life in more ways than they will ever know. I believe that all people have the right and ability to be independent. So, I have decided to open a non-profit bakery. The Sweet Inde (which is short for Sweet Independence) Bakery will provide job opportunities and training to people with disabilities. Proceeds of bakery sales will go into a grant fund to annual provide grants for individual people with disabilities to increase their independence. Individuals will present proposals for their needs, such as electronic wheel chairs, to the Board of Directors of Sweet Inde Bakery annually. Grants will be provided based on proceeds available and need.

In order to begin this idea, I will need volunteers that believe in the idea and $750 to apply for 501(c)3 status. My advisor, Damien Salamone, told me that determination is what makes ideas become reality. This blog will follow my determination in making my idea of Sweet Inde Bakery come true..