(COLORADO SPRINGS) — When it comes to grabbing a bite to eat or picking out a new pair of earrings, The Whispering Aspen has plenty of options, but the store is also making a life-changing difference in the lives of adults with disabilities by ensuring they learn the necessary skills for bright career paths.
“We pride ourselves on being innovative in communities, where we’re looking for those bridges, where those gaps [are], and how we can serve and create an element that will just be unique to those we serve and things that they might be missing,” said Southern Colorado Vocational Coordinator for Integrated Life Choices, Katrina Achivida.
The store originally opened in Elizabeth, CO, and over time, Achivida referenced the ongoing need to bridge the gap in offering employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).
“It’s important for the community to know that those that are part of the community are just as valuable as the rest of the workforce, and that’s that bridge,” Achivida said. “It was a gap and being able to show community partners, community employers, to say this element exists and helps building them up and also driving that education and awareness into the community was really, really important to us.”
One of the tasks Emily does daily at work is counting the cash register.
Currently, there are thirteen employees, each receiving one-on-one coaching with a mentor to navigate the skills that come with the job. Emily Miller, one of the employees, works on Mondays and Thursdays and shared her favorite parts of the job.
“My favorite is my peers and my friends and new attitudes, like lots of us,” said Miller.
Employees engage in face-to-face interactions while also understanding the importance of retail tasks such as restocking products, checking out customers, and maintaining accurate records of cash in the register.
“Really, the biggest piece is just this overall impact to not only individuals like Emily, who gets to learn and build and see what that sense of pride feels like and to stand up for herself and see a goal and know how to reach it,” said Achivida.
Another distinctive feature of the boutique is the products crafted with care by the employees, providing an alternative working environment for those who prefer not to engage directly with customers in the storefront.
Courtesy:
Maggy Wolanske,
FOX21 News MMJ
Courtesy:
Maggy Wolanske,
FOX21 News MMJ
Courtesy:
Maggy Wolanske,
FOX21 News MMJ
“The store also affords the opportunity for those that don’t have a desire to be face-to-face, to work in a customer service setting,” Achivida said. They want behind the scenes, want to use their hands and learn that workspace. [In] all the stores, we have four now, we have matching production rooms as well. So, all of the products in The Whispering Aspen are actually made by individuals with disabilities and they create the products and then they’re sold at the stores.”
This new location of The Whispering Aspen is located in the lobby of New Altitude, which was created in partnership with The Resource Exchange, located at 6385 Corporate Dr. Suite 200 in Colorado Springs.
“Stop by, come see me, do my work stuff, [then] buy stuff,” said Miller.
Emily Miller and Katrina Achivida share a hug after the interview with FOX21.
For information about the store and how to get involved, Achivida expressed her enthusiasm to connect, mentioning that the best way to reach out is through social media. “We are also on Facebook and Instagram for The Whispering Aspen itself.”
“I love sharing and learning more about who might be interested,” Achivida said.
