Store helps disabled become viable employees

This is the third in a series of stories highlighting developmental disabilities awareness month which is celebrated during March.

COLUMBUS -- Aside from their regular jobs, Shana Smith and Jason Kallweit are gaining job experience by selling goods and producing videos at a new store.

Let Us 4 U, an eBay and consignment store, opened last week in the Versatile Support Services Inc. building, 2316 Ninth St.

It employs five individuals, said Sara Sock, owner of Versatile Support Services, which provides independent living and employment skills to people with developmental disabilities.

Sock said they opened the store to give their clients an opportunity to earn extra income if they already are employed or give them their first exposure to employment.

The store is being stocked with clothes, games, books and VHS tapes that have been brought in by the public. Sock said the store will keep 10 percent of the sales for each item, and the person who brought in the item will receive the other 90 percent of the sale.

Sock said the employees also will be selling items on eBay and compiling videos of events such as weddings from photos and video supplied by customers. Cost for the videos will vary.

Let Us 4 U opened March 10. Those who do work there, including Smith and Kallweit, have other jobs. Others are volunteers at local businesses. Sock said several employers in the community welcome people with developmental disabilities and employ them.

Developmental disabilities are due to mental or physical impairments. People with developmental disabilities can have problems with language, mobility, learning, self-help and independent living. But, Sock said, those individuals can make good employees.

“These guys have a lot to offer to the community. They are very hard workers,” Sock said.

The store is another opportunity for those with developmental disabilities to become more self-sufficient and contribute to their society.

The store is managed by Heather Siemek. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. They are accepting used items from the public to sell. Call the store at 562-6492 for more information and how to donate items.

Versatile Support Services has been in Columbus since 1997 and is supported through Health and Human Services. It contracts with schools to transition students from high school into adult services through its day service site. For more information, go to www.versatilesupportservices.com.