Shopping was in full swing at the Services To Enhance Potential ribbon cutting event June 2.
HEIGHTS — A new business that aims to both employ workers with special needs and provide retail bargains opened in Dearborn Heights recently.
Services To Enhance Potential, a non-profit organization that employs and provides services to more than 1,300 people with disabilities and other mental health challenges, held a ribbon cutting for its new store June 2.
The third STEP Thrift Store and Donation Center (formerly Tried and True), is at 23830 Ford Road.
City officials including Mayor Daniel Paletko, Police Chief Lee Gavin, Fire Chief Dave Brogan and others attended the ribbon cutting to welcome the new business to the community.
STEP CEO Brent Mikulski said his team is excited to further its mission by opening a third thrift store.
“Our success with our first two stores have provided employment opportunities that offer compensation above the federal minimum wage to individuals with various disabilities and mental illnesses,” Mikulski said. “We hire the individuals we serve; allowing them to earn an income, integrate in community life and learn useful real-world skills.”
The nonprofit’s mission is to support people in pursuit of their chosen goals and help them to achieve personal satisfaction in their lives. A major goal is to increase the number of people who are employed, self-employed, and volunteer in their communities through a variety of employment and self-employment options.
STEP services also focus on skills and mobility training, community programming and transition assistance for people finishing school and heading into the working world.
The 10,934-square-foot space was redesigned with STEP’s updated bright and modern look. In addition to the design, the new store will offer a variety of interactive classes for the consumers of STEP services to partake in.
The skill-building courses will be offered in class-like settings and will include training in the areas of computer basics, job readiness, sewing and stress management. The classes are designed to build independent skills and provide learning opportunities.
Community members can get involved through volunteer opportunities to teach classes at the new store.
The other STEP Thrift Store and Donation Centers are located in Southgate and Wayne.
Go to stepcentral.org to learn more about the nonprofit’s services and stores.