- Second-View Thrift Shop Opens Doors
“We’re open for business!” This was the proclamation of Riverview School GROW students upon the opening of the new Second-View Thrift Shop on February 25, 2008.
Second-View, a new retail enterprise, located at 451 Route 6A in East Sandwich (one mile west of the main campus), is the brainchild of Kerry Macurdy, Lead Vocational Specialist for the Riverview School GROW program. GROW is an acronym for Getting Ready for the Outside World.
According to Mrs. Macurdy, “Second-View is designed to give GROW students an opportunity to develop marketable job skills in a supervised environment.”
Students have been accepting donations of clothing, games, household items and furniture since last fall when they hosted their initial yard sale to test the idea. Student families, staff and local residents have been very generous with donations of items that have filled the Horton House dormitory to the rafters. GROW students have diligently reconditioned items for resale throughout the winter months in preparation for the grand opening.
The School has made an initial investment in renovating the former Living and Learning Center and has received generous donations of carpeting and display racks to outfit the new shop. The students have also been supported in their endeavor by a generous $8,000 cash donation from an alumni parent and a $500 grant from the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation toward the start-up expenses. The School is currently researching opportunities for government and foundation grants to provide additional support.
According to Mrs. Macurdy, “We are hoping to establish a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) comprised of local business people and Riverview parents who have small business experience.” The role of this committee is to provide advice and counsel to the students and staff regarding the dynamics of operating a small business. Most of the correspondence with the Business Advisory Committee will be done via email, with events to be planned in conjunction with scheduled school events/weekends.
Anyone wishing to make a donation of items, furnishings or cash to Second-View or to get involved with the Business Advisory Committee should contact Kerry Macurdy at (508) 888-0489 ext. 340 or kmacurdy@riverviewschool.org.
