PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — There are lots of stores up and down Harlem Avenue in southwest suburban Palos Heights, but none are like High 5 Heights on 122nd Street and Harlem Avenue. It’s a retail store that’s an outgrowth of School District 218’s Adult Transition Program for students with disabilities.
“Student-run — from design to the actual product, from SKU-ing the product to getting the price out to putting it actually on the shelf — this is all done by students,” said coordinator Kerry McNicholas.
McNicholas said about 50% of the products are made by students in the program.
“We have a student, Stephanie Lopez,” said McNicholas. “She’s wonderful. She’s an amazing crocheter, so she’s crocheted a ton of different products, and they’re sold in the store.”
Lopez said the work “feels great.”
“I’m so proud of myself,” she said. “It makes me happy when they buy my stuff.”
Associate Supt. Sue Feeney said the shop is a “real-world classroom.”
“To have that opportunity to offer that to our students — the real world — on top of [that] it’s a service to the community,” Feeney said. “I think it’s a wonderful store. The products are beautiful, so, it’s a dream come true.”
Customers, such as Katie Dunneback, love the store.
“I think it’s really awesome that the students have a chance to do real-world things with their skills,” Dunneback said.
High 5 Heights in Palos Heights: A Difference Maker.
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