We dare to be different

On average, we employ 12 people with disabilities at a time. We select employees from Community Options’ nearby day program. Our retail associates are looking to gain valuable career experience in retail and store management. We help them create a customized work plan with the assistance of employment specialists and job coaches, preparing them for placement in a competitive job market. In our training program, they have the opportunity to learn skills such as:

• Point of Sale software
• Soft-selling
• Retrieving and processing orders 
• Inventory management
• Store layout and design
• Presentation and design skills 
• Marketing
• Maintenance
• Filing and data entry
• Money management
• Scheduling

Individuals are also trained in social skills – including customer service, interpersonal skills, and professionalism in the workplace. Our store focuses on meeting the demands that our customers deserve.

Each individual defines success differently. Most seek a meaningful work environment where they are treated with respect and can build professional and personal relationships with peers. Their experience empowers their pursuit of competitive employment and community, thus emphasizing the value and potential of persons with disabilities to contribute to society and lead self-determined lives.

We are hugely proud of the work we do at Presents of Mind. Being able to service our community and help those who are often left behind or forgotten is a distinct pleasure. We hope that all who patronize our store are just as happy to provide support as we are.

Meaningful Day is the result of a nascent programmatic vision for persons with significant disabilities who are not part of the supported employment paradigm. Community Options staff pulled this together to enhance the quality of day services offered to individuals with disabilities with long term optimistic goals for community jobs. We recognized that there were limited resources available to guide managers on meaningful and dynamic activities. The quality of the service was dependent on the creativity and commitment of the individual managing the program. Feedback was solicited from well-trained and highly educated staff, family members and individuals receiving service. The culmination of this information was the development of a well-rounded and comprehensive guide that can be easily replicated and modified to meet the specific needs of individuals in any day program.