Racking Up Skills in Retail

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Silverlining Boutique isn’t going to be your average L.A. clothing store when it opens this Wednesday. Instead of hiring wannabe actors and college students, the shop will be staffed by developmentally challenged students.

Silverlining is an outgrowth of Sherman Oaks-based Help Group, which runs a local chain of schools for special needs youths. The shop is next to Help Group’s school in Culver City, and it will help teens and young adults learn job skills.

They’ll sell clothes donated by designers and retailers. Ed Hardy recently contributed 300 pairs of shoes and Disney/ABC Television Group provided clothes from the show “Greek” as well as a costume worn by Miley Cyrus for an on-stage performance.

“The goal is to get the kids skills to find competitive employment,” said Susan Berman, Help Group chief operating officer. “In this economy it’s hard to get job experience, especially for our kids.”

Berman got the idea for Silverlining after a winter jacket drive in 2009, when she saw an “exorbitant outpouring” of donations.

Help Group schools have job-training programs at local senior homes and supermarkets, but Berman noted there weren’t opportunities for her students to gain experience in retail. At the new store, students will work in floor sales, behind the cash register, and behind the scenes – washing and sorting items.

The non-profit organization has four schools for autistic and developmentally challenged children in Culver City and Sherman Oaks. Grant money from the California Department of Education will help pay the students’ wages. Proceeds from sales of the clothing will go to the schools.

If the boutique is successful, Help Group may open a second Silverlining next to the Sherman Oaks school.

Berman also talked about launching a clothing line designed by Help Group students in collaboration with American Rag.

“We love being a part of something that teaches kids how to be self-sufficient through designing and doing something creative,” said American Rag President Susan Starr. “We’re just thrilled.”

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