New York - Located at 506 Amsterdam Avenue, “A Time for Children’ is a high-end boutique that sells top quality children’s clothing, accessories and gifts. This cheery 500 square foot store, packed from floor to ceiling with merchandise for infants and youngsters, was built with two very special purposes: “A Time for Children’ trains underserved New York City teens in sales, merchandising and retail and also donates 100% of its proceeds to The Children’s Aid Society.
The store is sponsored by Michael and Margie Stern’s Big Wood Foundation. With a background in the business, Margie recognized that retail is one of the few remaining careers that does not depend upon a college degree. She sought to create an environment to teach underserved teens the skills that will enable them to pursue a retail or business career, and help them do so.
Teenagers who participate in the three-month program are selected by The Children’s Aid Society. With the guidance of supervising management, program participants study vendor catalogues, consider products, and make recommendations based upon their assessments of sales potential, price point, and more. These teens help choose what products the store sells.
“A Time for Children’ currently has 11 young men and women participating in its second program offering. On October 8th, the inaugural class of 14 teens completed the program and were acknowledged with a graduation ceremony celebrating their accomplishments.
The store is located at 506 Amsterdam Avenue, between 84th and 85th Streets. Store hours Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday Noon to 6:00 PM.
Visit A Time for Children's website at:
http//:www.atimeforchildren.org
About the Children’s Aid Society:
The Children’s Aid Society was founded in 1853. It is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving more than 150,000 of New York’s neediest children and their families with a network of services that includes community schools, neighborhood centers, camps, adoption and foster care services, teen pregnancy prevention, education, health and recreation. For more information, please call 212-949-4938 or visit www.childrensaidsociety.org.
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