Extraordinary Ventures Launches Thrift Store to Create Jobs for Adults With Disabilities

COMMUNITY NEWS

CHAPEL HILL — Extraordinary Ventures is launching a new thrift store aimed at creating job opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, while preserving a longtime community resource.

The Chapel Hill nonprofit partners with local businesses and focuses on hiring adults with conditions such as autism. Leaders say the effort addresses a stark employment gap: about 80% of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are unemployed.

“Research shows that purpose is what really gives people happiness,” said Lisa Kaylie, executive director of Extraordinary Ventures, during a recent fundraising event. “Even working a few hours a week can create an amazing sense of purpose. I get to go to work knowing we’re helping create long-term, real happiness.”

The thrift store is expected to provide at least 20 jobs, and organizers say there are currently about 90 people on a waiting list for employment opportunities, many seeking only part-time work.

Preserving a community resource

The project also grew out of the uncertain future of the CommunityWorx Thrift Shop, which has long served the Chapel Hill community. The building housing the store is being sold, though high interest rates have delayed redevelopment, allowing the nonprofit to remain for at least another year and possibly two.

At the same time, CommunityWorx was no longer able to continue operating the store. Extraordinary Ventures stepped in to keep the shop open, retain employees and expand job opportunities.

Organizers said they hired 12 employees from the former CommunityWorx operation, noting that while the nonprofit focuses on workers with disabilities, it maintains an inclusive workplace open to all.

Major cleanup and investment

When staff took over the building on Jan. 5, they encountered significant challenges. The 14,000-square-foot space had not been substantially updated in more than a decade, and storage areas were filled floor to ceiling with unsorted bags and boxes. Fire officials had already warned the space could be shut down because of safety concerns.

Since then, employees and volunteers have spent weeks cleaning and reorganizing the store. The upstairs sales floor has been repainted, and new shelving and display fixtures have been installed to create a safer and more accessible shopping environment.

The improvements have come at a cost. Organizers said the cleanup labor alone totaled about $25,000. New shelving for the sales floor cost about $40,000, and the nonprofit has already paid roughly $40,000 in rent while the store was closed, bringing total startup expenses to about $117,000.

Fundraising effort underway

Extraordinary Ventures has applied for a $100,000 grant to cover most of the startup costs. As part of that process, leaders pledged to raise $20,000 from the community.

At the recent event, about $9,000 had already been raised through donations, ticket purchases and a $5,000 contribution from Clarity Legal Group. Organizers encouraged supporters to contribute through donations, silent-auction bids or discounted thrift-store gift cards.

One highlight of the auction is a revocable living trust and estate-planning package valued at $7,500, donated by Clarity Legal Group. Bidding for that item will remain open through March.

Jobs, vouchers and community impact

Beyond employment, organizers say the thrift store will continue a longstanding voucher program that provides clothing and household goods to people in need. Local groups, including the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, Refugee Community Partnership, TABLE and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, rely on the program to assist clients.

“This store has always been important to the community,” Kaylie said. “Now it’s also creating jobs and opportunities for people who need them most.”

Organizers say the thrift store will open soon, offering a newly organized space and a mission centered on employment, dignity and community support.

In an earlier version of this article Lisa Kaylie was misidentified as Megan Winkler.

Michelle Cassell is a seasoned reporter who has covered everything from crime to hurricanes and local politics to human interest over the course of 35 years. As editor, she hopes to encourage writers of a wide range of backgrounds and interests in TLR’s coverage of Southern Orange County news. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocalReporter.press.