Eagle Thrift Shop Provides Students Work Experience
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Students are being offered a unique opportunity to learn work skills through the Eagle Thrift Shop on the Montgomery County School campus.
The Thrift Shop began as a charitable clothes closet to help students and the community. That endeavor grew into a four-room thrift store that allows students to gain hands-on experience in a retail job. Currently, the project is overseen by Parent Mentor Matt Reese and Administrative Assistant Debbie Thigpen. “The Eagle Thrift Store is more than a win/win for our community,” Assistant Superintendent Beverly Faircloth commented. “The school wins because money raised by The Eagle Thrift Store stays in the Eagle community. It is used to help students and families in need and to support students, faculty, and staff with the little things that we could not do using state or federal funds. The community wins because we have a local place where gently used items in good condition can be donated knowing the money and the work helps to support our school system in so many ways. I cannot say enough about Matt Reese and Debbie Thigpen for their commitment and hard work on behalf of our students.”
The store is manned by several high school students, who develop a strong work ethic and gain the tools needed to be successful members of society. These students each are assigned different roles and responsibilities. There is a manager, assistant manager, and stockers.
Special Education Director Alicia Hartley said about the store, “The Eagle Thrift Shop benefits our students on multiple levels — most importantly, it equips the students with social and life skills that serve as an important function in preparing students for transition into the real world environment,” she said. “These skills prepare students for meaningful work at their highest potential. The students are learning appropriate work habits, occupational skills, and social interaction. Working in the thrift shop provides students with important tools to help them handle daily tasks and develop into productive members of their community.“ The store has big plans for the future, according to Reese. “We hope to continue to bring more students to this hands-on learning experience, and to even begin a job interview simulation in the coming years. It is all about helping these kids learn real-life skills that will help them thrive outside of these walls.” The Eagle Thrift Shop is located at 701 Dobbins Street, beside Eagle Academy in Mount Vernon, and is open every Friday from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. For information on donating merchandise or any other questions, contact the Montgomery County Board of Education office.
