Empowering Dreams: How ZABS Place is Changing Lives One Job at a Time

For many young adults with intellectual and developmental differences, the path to meaningful work can feel uncertain. But at ZABS Place, a non-profit thrift boutique in North Carolina, every individual is seen for their potential, not their limitations.

A $2,500 Empowerment Grant from the Hanger Foundation has helped ZABS Place further its mission. With this support, the team brought on an additional job coach to guide more young adults one-on-one, offering personal mentorship and new hands-on learning experiences. In 2024, the team was able to provide job support to 49 young adults, of whom 17 were directly supported by the Empowerment Grant.

Every ZABS journey begins with a conversation. Staff sit down with each new trainee, asking questions like “What’s your dream job?” or “What are you great at?” For many, it’s the first time anyone has asked. That small moment often becomes the spark that leads to discovery and self-belief.

To Rochel Groner, Director of ZABS Place, “turning potential into possibility” means believing in someone before they believe in themselves. It’s about nurturing that spark and walking beside each young adult as they step into who they were always meant to be. Whether it’s mastering a skill, greeting a customer with pride, or launching a business, the transformation feels nothing short of magical.

With more than 200 days of programming and more than 2,200 hours of training, trainees dive into every part of running a business. They greet customers, organize inventory, manage transactions, and even explore entrepreneurship. Through personalized work plans, they track their growth and learn what it means to be part of a team. Some are able to turn their passions into a business, launching their own microbusinesses through the ZABSpreneur Incubator. As Groner says, ZABS Place is all about helping them take that first step from “I’m not sure I can” to “look what I just did!”

The grant’s impact lives in the stories of the people it reached. One of them is Shiva, whose parents shared that he includes ZABS Place in his nightly prayers. Each evening, he gives thanks for the friendships, joy, and sense of belonging he’s found there. For Shiva and so many others, ZABS Place isn’t just a job training program; it’s a family.

The 17 individuals supported by the grant didn’t just learn how to work; they learned how to dream. With encouragement from their coaches, they stepped into unfamiliar roles, faced challenges head-on, and built the confidence to pursue lasting, fulfilling employment. Even after graduates find jobs, the connection stays strong. The ZABS team continues to check in, helping them navigate new routines, relationships, and opportunities for growth.

To learn more about ZABS place, visit their website.