Andheri, one of Mumbai’s hotspots, came alive with cheers as sports and wellness advocate and entrepreneur Ms. Sara Tendulkar inaugurated two new vocational shops for the Together Foundation, here, on Wednesday. The event marked a significant milestone for the Mumbai-based not-for-profit organization, fulfilling a ten-year dream of creating a real-world retail environment for the adults with autism and other intellectual disabilities it supports. Along with the two shops, the newly refurbished premises of the Foundation were also inaugurated.
The new shops are an extension of the foundation's sheltered workshop, which provides training and employment to the beneficiaries. One shop sells edible products made in the foundation's own FSSAI-certified bakery, while the second outlet features a variety of handcrafted items, including paper and cloth bags, pouches, and festive products. All proceeds from the sales go directly towards the stipends of the adults who create the products.
The inauguration celebrated the culmination of a journey that began in 2015 with a small window selling products to the street. The new, full-fledged shops now provide a platform for the adults to learn valuable retail skills and for customers to see the wide range of their talents.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Sara Tendulkar, Director, Sachin Tendulkar Foundation said, “I have known about the incredible work of Together Foundation for years through my mother, Dr. Anjali Tendulkar, who is a Trustee. Seeing the dedication of the teachers, parents, and especially the talented people who work here is truly inspiring. These new shops are more than just a retail space; they are a gateway to independence, confidence, and vigour. I hope this becomes the threshold for a bigger and bolder dream.”
Sangeetha Chakrapani, Founder and Trustee of Together Foundation, added, “This has been a dream since we started. Our goal is to provide an age-appropriate environment where our adults can learn, work, earn, and lead a life of maximum independence. These shops are a proud realisation of that vision. We are immensely grateful to Ms. Sara Tendulkar for her support in celebrating this milestone with us.”