NY Nonprofit opens store to train developmentally disabled adults in retail

From Newsday:

Carolann Lyons eagerly pointed out some of the choice items displayed prominently on shelves and tables, meticulously straightening handbags and glasses as cameras followed her about the store. She took a moment to tell Nassau County Legis. David Mejias (D-Farmingdale) that the watch set he was holding cost $24 but she could offer him a discount. And did he know that they also do gift wrapping?

"How am I doing?" she whispered discreetly to a staff person.

"Wonderful," came the reply.

Lyons and her colleagues welcomed visitors and provided tours May 14 of Fancy FREE, a Farmingdale gift shop on Main Street, celebrating the official launch of a training program created by Family Residences and Essential Enterprises Inc.

The Old Bethpage nonprofit, which provides residential, vocational, medical and social services for the developmentally disabled, bought and opened the store two years ago with the vision of creating a hands-on training program for its participants. Last month it received the licensing necessary to open a day program at the store.

"It helps them develop not just technical skills," said Barry R. Donowitz, the program's associate director, "it helps them develop social skills, because they interact with customers. And they can point to this and say, 'I created this. I did this.' "

The participants learn to handle sales, work the cash register, create displays, order supplies and create original items for the store. All profits from the store support the program and its participants. Like the agency's other programs, the concept behind the store is to provide skills while integrating participants into society.

Participants also work with other charitable organizations to deliver meals to the needy and distribute food to the homeless. In addition, the organization has a theater performance program and runs a ranch in Middle Island, which teaches participants to care for farm animals and learn skills to work in a bed and breakfast inn.

"It's not a classroom setting," said Anu Arnold, day and residential services administrator. "Our intent is to get our people out in the community so they can give back. Some of these guys even will be able to go out and have a job."

None of the participants at the store Thursday appeared to be lacking in social skills or graces. Diane Cheslok, 37, who was running the cash register, said she enjoys the variety of tasks involved in running the store, from selling to creating displays. But Cheslok is something of a veteran in the retail world.

"To be really honest with you, I did work once before in Massapequa in Linens N' Things," Cheslok said.

Donna Iannone showed visitors the hand-painted wine glasses she and her colleagues were busy crafting in the back room. She held up one glass she had splashed with vibrant colors and decorated with the word "Love."

"You can get somewhere with this, and you can get better at it," said Iannone, 25, of Farmingdale. "And you can move up, taking baby steps from here to the store. . . . I've got to say, it's the best program I've been in."