The floors are in, the walls are painted, the tables and chairs are in place, shelves are ready to be stocked and the countdown is on!!
With four weeks to go, workers are putting the finishing interior and exterior touches on a new business and retail space called “Brick It Again” a Lego®
resale store run by Jawonio, the non-profit provider of lifespan services for people with special needs.
The idea for the store, it’s mission and the “Brick it Again” name is the brainchild of Jawonio CEO Randi Rios-Castro. At the end of the month, this idea will come to fruition at the Grand Opening of “Brick it Again” on March 28th, 11am, 7 Lake Ridge Plaza, Valley Cottage, NY.
A store manager has been hired and will oversee staff who will be sorting, washing, packaging, and stocking shelves along with day-to-day customer service responsibilities. Store hours will be Wednesday through Sunday, 10am to 7pm. Future plans include hosting children's birthday parties as well as other special events throughout the year. From March 28th through April 30th, customers who make a purchase will be entered into a raffle to win a free Brick it Again birthday party.
Randi Rios-Castro, Jawonio CEO: “A project of this magnitude could not have happened without the funding and award of $300,000 dollars from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. As previous grantees, we are honored and grateful for their ongoing belief in our mission and investment in our work”.
Rios-Castro continued: “I cannot say enough about our amazing Brick It Again project team who have done a phenomenal job in preparation for the store opening and operations. We invite everyone in the community to come in, have fun and play. At the heart of our mission for the store is to provide vocational and employment opportunities for individuals with special needs to achieve their highest levels of independence.”
Prior to the opening and throughout the year Jawonio is seeking donations of new and used Lego® and Duplo products for the store. If you would like to donate, please call 845.708.2000 x2339 or email brickitagain@jawonio.org.
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Jawonio since 1947, is a non-profit lifespan services provider in both Rockland and Westchester Counties in New York. The mission of Jawonio is dedicated to advancing the independence, well-being and equality of people with special needs. From infancy through end of life, Jawonio supports people with developmental disabilities, mental health challenges and chronic medical needs. The word Jawonio is the Indigenous-American word for Independence which inspires our most vulnerable individuals to reach their highest potential. For more information, visit www.jawonio.org
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that either provide direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health. For more information, visit https://www.cabrinihealth.org/
LEGO® IS A TRADEMARK OF THE LEGO® GROUP OF COMPANIES WHICH DOES NOT SPONSOR, AUTHORIZE OR ENDORSE THE WEBSITE OR STORE