Linwood Center Boutique

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Linwood Center Boutique, located at 8307 Main Street, lower level rear, in historic Ellicott City, is Linwood’s retail store that provides productive, integrated employment and training opportunities for the individuals living with autism who currently receive services in Linwood’s adult services program.

Our program participants, like all individuals with disabilities, deserve an opportunity to work in an integrated environment with their non-disabled peers. Linwood Center Boutique provides a number of opportunities for our adults in a safe, structured and supportive environment.

Competitive employment is not currently an option for many of our individuals due to the limits imposed by their disability. However, if provided a structured and supportive work site, these individuals can be engaged in productive work. As they grow and develop employment skills, it is feasible that competitive employment can become a reality for some of them.

Our store provides a viable alternative for those individuals whose special needs require a safe setting with built in supports. Working at Linwood Center Boutique allows each individual to maintain a predictable and, when needed, flexible schedule. It is an environment that is abundant with on-site support from staff who have training to meet any special circumstances that may arise. Read more about Linwood’s unique training program, “Retail 101.”

The wonderful people in our community bring us “high-end” donations everyday, including apparel, jewelry, artwork and furniture. All of these donations are processed, either on-site, or at our day program site in nearby Columbia. The key to successfully employing people with disabilities is identifying and building on their strengths and then providing them the support they need to learn the necessary skills to get the job done. Linwood’s job coaches are carefully screened and matched up with the people they support.