The first Palm & Able, now its flagship store opened to the public in April 2020. The “Retail with a Purpose” shop supports employment opportunities for individuals of all abilities and features thrifted treasures, including clothing, furniture, housewares and holiday décor along with beautiful artwork by Kennedy Center artists, FDA-certified PPE and more.
Valerie Reyher, Kennedy Center vice president of workforce development and social enterprises, said “Palm & Able at 39 is an extension of our Shelton location housing many wonderful thrift finds. What”™s unique about ”˜39 is the location also sells hundreds of gently used books, which are sure to excite booklovers everywhere. Palm & Able at 39 is one of the many social enterprises that support hiring individuals with disabilities and breaking down barriers to employment. We encourage every company, business owner and employer to make the commitment to hire individuals with disabilities as part of their operational standards.”
The Palm & Able name is a nod to the abilities of the people The Kennedy Center supports. Seventy years ago, founder Evelyn Kennedy, who lived on Palm Street in Bridgeport, started a movement for the development of services for individuals with intellectual and developmentally disabilities that would later become known as The Kennedy Center.
Today, The Kennedy Center provides services, supports and employment to more than 2,000 individuals annually in more than 110 communities throughout Connecticut and the state of New York.
