Neurodivergent adults and
their families have benefitted
Seminars, workshops, trainings,
advocacy sessions
Extended community
members sensitized
Our major programs are organised within two verticals
Skilling & Supported Employment Project
(SSEP)
Adult Support Kendra
(ASK)
Skilling & Supported Employment Project (SSEP)
Under this vertical, YCT provides skill development and training to neurodivergent adults in the hard skills related to the food and beverage (F&B) sector as well as assisting them to develop basic employment readiness skills required for most work environments.
Opportunities for earning livelihoods are also provided through the activities run under Arpan Food Services.
In the future, we plan to expand our skill development repertoire to include other options beyond F&B. We are currently exploring these options.
Our key activities under SSEP:
- Training neurodivergent adults with skills needed to be employed in the F&B sector both within YCT and in the open employment space
- Providing basic employment readiness skills to all trainees at the Skill Development Centre (SDC)
- For individuals who have registered for employment support services, we also conduct employment readiness skilling as required
- Creating more work opportunities within the supported employment milieu of YCT. Supported employment opportunities include Café Arpan, Café Arpan @ Accenture, Arpan Kitchen, and Arpan Bakery
- Developing, piloting and standardizing recipes that can be easily executed by neurodivergent adults
- Providing experiences of outdoor catering as and when opportunities present themselves
SSEP is further divided in two activities
Skill Development Centre (SDC)
The Skill Development Centre (SDC) began its operations in November 2019. Prior to its inception neurodivergent adults who joined the YCT team were being trained on the job either in the kitchen or at Café Arpan. However, as the number of individuals being supported increased and training on the job became difficult due to specific needs of many diverse individuals, the Board felt a need to have a dedicated training space.
The Skill Development Centre (SDC) serves as the primary point of entry into YCT’s SSEP programs. At the SDC, we offer comprehensive training in both technical and workplace readiness skills. Individuals receive hands-on training in hard skills relevant to YCT’s food & beverage and bakery operations, as well as in essential employment readiness competencies such as punctuality, appropriate grooming and dress code, teamwork, task initiation and completion, following instructions, and seeking assistance when needed. In addition, we provide training in office management skills, emphasising the importance of maintaining clean, organised, and functional spaces—skills that are vital not only in the workplace but also in daily life. Our program also includes modules in digital literacy, financial literacy, and cooking life skills, ensuring a well-rounded foundation for personal and professional independence.
Arpan Food Services (AFS)
At Arpan Food Services, we run outlets where the staff consists of neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals.
The following are the current initiatives:
ARPAN COMMUNITY KITCHEN
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At our community kitchen, we cook and cater a variety of foods and cuisines. We are on a mission to feed the hungry and vulnerable in our community—children, the elderly, and those living on the street.
Every meal sponsored is more than food; it’s warmth, hope, and a reminder that kindness can make a real difference. Sponsor a meal today—because together, we can nourish not just bodies but hearts too. Join us in spreading nourishment and hope.
CAFé ARPAN
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A Café like no other.
Operated by a team of neurodiverse adults, Café Arpan is a space where inclusion meets inspiration. Whether you’re stopping by for a comforting cup of coffee or a hearty meal, every visit supports meaningful employment and celebrates diverse abilities.
Join us for good food, great service, and a one-of-a-kind experience. Guaranteed.
We are FSSAI certified.
ARPAN BAKERY
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The bakery unit was set up in March 2023 with generous funding from Rossari Biotech Ltd.
This is a full-fledged bakery where the team makes various breads, buns, rolls, garlic bread as well as a whole array of delectable desserts.
We are happy that the unit provides training, internship as well as employment opportunities.
CAFé ARPAN – ACCENTURE
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In 2019, around the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) which falls on December 3 every year, Café
Arpan was invited to do a pop-up at the Accenture office in Vikhroli, Mumbai.
The event was a huge success. Besides creating a buzz about the offerings, the Leadership was excited at the thought of having our team on their premises and offered us a spot in their Innovation Hub under the leadership of Ms. Sonal Mehra, Senior MD.
We currently run a full-service cafe on their premises.
CAFé ARPAN – 360 One
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In September 2023, we set up a pop-up stall at the 360 One Wealth Management office in Lower Parel, Mumbai. The event was a great success and laid the foundation for a deeper collaboration.
By March 2024, we launched a full-service café within their corporate premises, offering a range of delicious snacks, sandwiches, and more. We are proud to serve the 360 One team through this inclusive and vibrant café space.
Adult Support Kendra (ASK)
Under this vertical, we work on supporting neurodivergent adults and their families through a variety of services:
Counseling (Individual and Group): YCT employs qualified mental health professionals who provide counseling services to neurodivergent adults and their families. These services include hangout groups and are made available in an in-person as well as an online format. We currently have clients from different parts of India.
Employment Support Services: Through this activity, we explore employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for neurodivergent adults in the open job market. Individuals and their families contact us and after a detailed interview process, we register them in our database. If suitable opportunities are available, we take the individual and their family to the worksite and initiate the conversations with the potential employer. We do extensive sensitization activities before the individual is placed.
Awareness and Sensitization Sessions: We seek opportunities to educate the community at large about disabilities and the value of including neurodivergent adults into the mainstream discourse. We tailor these sessions according to the needs of the organization hosting them.
Advocacy: Neurodivergent adults deserve to enjoy equal rights and participation in society as full citizens; we advocate for this through seminars, workshops, collaborations, and partnerships. Creating a cadre of self-advocates and delivering their personal stories to school and college students is one strategy that we use. We have found that self-advocates talking about their personal journey including their successes and challenges makes for a powerful impactful narrative and plants the seed for more inclusivity and acceptance.
In 2022, YCT initiated a PIL in the Supreme Court against a lobby of clinics and medical professionals who are promoting Stem Cell Therapy (SCT) as a cure for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These clinics promise families a cure for autism, even though the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Medical Commission (NMC) have both said that there is currently no research to support the use of SCT to alleviate the symptoms of ASD.
YCT’s approach is to promote the scientific,
evidence-based practice.
This is a short video we have created on this issue.
Workshops: YCT regularly conducts workshops for neurodivergent adults, parents and other professionals on key issues that need to be addressed as we help our beneficiaries lead successful lives. Some topics we regularly present are as follows:
- Person-centred planning
- Talking about sexuality as related to neurodivergent adults
- Understanding behavior and its management
- Understanding and techniques to promote self-regulation
- Recreation for adults
ROBINHOOD ARMY
As a part of our community involvement, we provide 50 fresh nutritious meals on a weekly basis to underprivileged street children who live a few kilometres away from our centre through our collaboration with the Robin Hood Army.
This is our way of giving back!
We seek donations from community members to support us for this initiative. The cost for these 50 meals is only INR 2,000 per week. Please call us at +919892418057 for details and donate generously.
OTHER COLLABORATIONS
We are proud to be part of a greater community in Mumbai and across India.
We work closely with the following organisations:
JOIN US ONLINE
Yash Charitable Trust is registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950 and all donations are deductible under Sec. 80G of the Income Tax Act of 1961.
No. E-30485 (MUMBAI) dated 9-7-2014.
Yash Charitable Trust is registered under Section 11 (1) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.
Registration Number: 083781651 dated 16-12-2019.
Proudly based in Mumbai
+91 8976733753
namaste@yashcharitabletrust.org
