“Our vision was to create that safe space to allow growth and expansion into the community — a tangible opportunity.” — Katrina Achivida
More Than 9 To 5 BY JULIE WHITE, The Resource Exchange
E
mily Miller, 41, starts her day like many — with coffee. She loves working at The Whispering Aspen, a boutique that just opened its fourth Colorado location. The store is accomplishing something different and meaningful in the retail space: employing people with disabilities. Emily says, “I love to come here and have my coffee and start working.” The newest retail location is a pop-up shop now open in the lobby of New Altitude, a coworking space with a unique mission, on Colorado Springs’ north side. New Altitude was created in partnership with The Resource Exchange (TRE), a local nonprofit that coordinates care and case management for the disability community. New Altitude’s long-term goal is to partner with local businesses to create career paths for people with disabilities. Katrina Achivida is Southern Colorado’s vocational coordinator for Integrated Life Choices and facilitates job coaching for Emily and others who work at The
Whispering Aspen. Katrina points out that employers may not realize they have options when hiring people with disabilities. She explains, “There’s a lack of awareness. Businesses may not know that job coaching exists; that is why The Whispering Aspen was established, to bridge that gap. Our vision was to create that safe space to allow growth and expansion into the community — a tangible opportunity. The community can see it in action here.” Employees at The Whispering Aspen learn valuable skills like accountability, cash handling, completing transactions and meeting goals. Employees can choose whether to work in the storefront or create items on the production side, based on their interests. Most of the boutique’s items are created by people with disabilities, and proceeds from boutique sales are invested back into the store. Emily prefers retail because she loves meeting new people. She says, “I always have a lot of sales. It’s awesome! I also stock sodas, restock snacks and help with gift baskets.” To support The Whispering Aspen: @whisperingaspen.cos on Instagram New Shop: 6385 Corporate Drive, COS, 80919 5630 N. Academy Blvd., COS, 80918
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