Shoppe in the City closing

Lake County Educational Service Center’s Vocational Solutions for Adults announced on Oct. 9 that it will no longer provide day services, including vocational habilitation, adult day services, supported employment and nonmedical transportation, to clients in Lake County. As a result of the Vocational Solutions for Adults program ending, The Shoppe in the City at 5 S. State St. in Painesville will be closing.

“We have found that the funding model provided by the state does not financially support the operation of this program,” said Assistant Superintendent Julie O’Neil and Job Coach/Store Manager Stephanie Morton, in a news release. “We have worked long and hard to be creative in service delivery and programming to work within the funds that we

receive. We have not found a way to do so and the Lake County Educational Service Center can no longer financially supplement this program.”

The program will end Nov. 3.

According to the Lake County Educational Service Center, the goal of The Shoppe in the City was to provide supported employment for adults with disabilities to help them reach their greatest level of independence, while also providing another avenue for local businesses to have exposure.

“Finding our clients jobs

is a major concern,” Morton said. “When we close, the clients will be unemployed. It is a huge undertaking to find everyone employment.”

In addition to the significant impact that the closure will have on the clients, it also will affect the city, Morton said.

“It will really affect the economy in downtown Painesville,” she said. “We have been active in the community and we draw many people to downtown Painesville. It also affect our vendors.”

Morton said she understands

the reasoning for the necessary cut, but it makes her “heartsick.”

“We have truly enjoyed our time with your families and our clients and operating The Shoppe in the City,” the release stated.”We are disappointed that we are no longer able to provide these services and will miss the day to day interactions with all of you.”

Unique Like Me in Downtown Painesville will continue to operate as a continued vocational training site for students with disabilities.