"Guardianship violates the "ADA"
Raleigh District Court Public Records File 15CVD9292 proves that my son has a Guardian as a result of unlawful discrimination as proven in a court of law where he was denied affordable, safe and decent housing because he has a mental disability. The records also prove that 2 reasonable accommodation requests were also denied. After he was denied housing in the basis of disability, his highly supportive living and biological mother, Advocate and one with the best interest was then denied the right to remain his Legal Guardian because she had no place for him to live as a result of the injustice. He was left in a homeless state in an institution for months begging with teary eyes to come home. He was then placed in homes that had to be investigated by the NC "DHHS" which found them ALL to be with A1 SERIOUS NEGLECT, ABUSE and EXPLOITATION. This violates the OLMSTEAD DECISION. The ARC Of NC states as being so great with upholding the CIVIL RIGHTS of the disabled but I find that to be just "talk" as they took over the Guardianship by contract on Feb. of 2023 and told the mother NOTHING. She found out in other ways and sent the ARK Of NC the sons letters of his pleas to get out of a home that violates the OLMSTEAD DECISION. The Ark of NC had ignored the reasonable accommodation request and keeps the son in the Mental Health Facility, despite his written and signed letters to come out. This violates Title II Of the "ADA". In the current home, the male has been grabbed by the neck because he forgot to cut a light off and he also witnessed his roommate being literally fought by the he abusive staff member. The male hates this facility and his letters has made people cry. The people who initially unlawfuly discriminate against him and his mother as one who is associated with him have NEVER provided housing equivalent to what they made unavailable ion the basis of DISABILITY. Due to the unlawful and proven discrimination, the mom and son were placed in substandard housing that violated the NC LANDLORD TENANT STATUTES, NC FAIR HOUSING ACT, HOUSING CODE VIOLATIONS, THE IMPLIED WARRANTY OF HABITABILITY, the IMPLIED COVENANT OF QUIET ENJOYMENT and again he currently resides in a home, miles away from his mother who has no vehicle to visit him which is the ONLY ENJOYMENT that the male has. This is just the "tip of the iceberg". They are in URGENT NEED of a vehicle and also to get the son OUT of this facility were he is FORCED to pay to live WITHOUT ENJOYMENT and in violation of the OLMSTEAD DECISION. ***In addition, the ARC of NC states that when requesting a housing reasonable accommodation, the requester must use a particular form. That is TOTALLY INCORRECT as the requester can ask in person for the request(which I, as an Advocate and "ACLU" PEOPLE POWER ACTIVIST do not recommend) by E-mail or by certified mail. return receipt. Organizations need to completely abide by the laws.
Power of the Dream Inc/HANDmeUps Thrift is a wonderful organization that serves the NC Triangle community. We provide information, advocacy, and effective resources that facilitate employment opportunities for adults with autism and IDD. I am very proud to be a part of this organization and excited about engaging the community, local employers and community partners to fully realize our vision.
The thrift store is a a fun, friendly environment with great service. You will not leave there disappointed.
I think about half of my clothes and kitchen supplies are from HandmeUps. I can spend hours there and have no idea where the time went. I think it's because I feel so welcome to take my time and explore. Everyone is just so nice. I'm a college student, so I'm always looking for a good deal on something that feels fresh and fun. I rarely leave disappointed or empty-handed. I just love them.
HANDmeUPs Thrift offers the best value in an inviting inclusive atmosphere and three years strong!! - Employment is crucial for individuals with autism &/or other intellectual developmental disabilities. This store and the additional collaborative work of The Power of the Dream team exemplifies the dedication to increasing employment in the Triangle to meet this targeted high need. I feel privileged to be a part of this effort and honored to be a part of this AMAZING TEAM!!
I have been in the HandMeUps thrift store many times. I always find something I need. I love the store and the service is great. The folks are so friendly and helpful. I will continue to visit several times a month.
This is place is where I love to take anything that is worth donating. The staff is always super friendly and helpful. The store is organized to make it easy to find anything. I know that all donations go right back into their mission.
jjob 09/01/2016
Thank you so much for your kind words. We appreciate your time in writing this review and your patronage!
This Thrift store is more then just a Great Nonprofit. It is a place for people to go and be appreciated for who they are, and an opportunity to help support equality and fairness. I have always felt so welcomed by all of the employees. It is a wonderful store with a mission to help create the future today. Not only does this Great Non-profit support jobs for all people, but it creates a space where customers, volunteers and employees can feel good about who they are, no matter what personal obstacles they might face. Specifically by creating jobs and advocating for adults with Autism and/or IDD in the Triangle. I have gone in to this place distraught about my problems, and just by walking around and engaging with staff, have felt my worries lifted . The items are reused and recycled, this also benefits the planet. It's a Win! Win! Win! Great People with Great Purpose!! Check them out. Gena Brown the Director- has a heart of gold! Power of the Dream is making a difference, creating the future today!!
Check out their website for more information
http://www.thepowerofthedream.org/projects/handmeups-thrift-store/
jjob 09/01/2016
Thank you so very much for this thoughtful review, we couldn't have written it better ourselves! Were so glad you find the store to be a win-win for you, the employees and the customers!
This is a great business to support! The people are super friendly and helpful and the prices are great!
You know that "other store" we all shop at... where they yell at you if you look at something on one of their racks... Well, Hand Me Ups lets you look and buy right off the racks and carts they are putting out. SHOCKING I KNOW.
You know how at the "other store" only a few of the people are nice, they usually seem overworked and grumpy...Not at Hand Me Ups, they have always been super friendly and easy-going.
At the "other store" if you need to set something down so you can shop some more, good luck with that, you'll get the stink eye and be told, "we can't do that". Hand Me Ups has a hold shelf. Can you imagine? What will they think of next.
The "other store" I go to often locks some of the dressing rooms... Hand Me Ups has two nice big ones with a chair and plenty, PLENTY of hanging space.
I could go on and on but really this is a wonderful place with wonderful people.
HandMeUps Thrift is my absolute favorite place to shop! I run a preschool and can always find items I need at a price I can actually afford. Thank you Thank you! We love you HandMeUps!!!
Holy cow! I am impressed every time I visit this thrift store. No, it's not the incredible selection of quality finds. No, it's not the low prices. No, it's not the cleanliness. It's the genuine care that the all staff has for others. Some of the staff have disabilities, but through this store, they are learning and have learned how to interact with the public in a positive way. Yes, the store has great product at a great price, but the real deal about this place is the learning about the diversity of humanity that is going on with all that enter...both the staff with and without disabilties, as well as the customers. Keep it up.
Handsmeup does not only creat job opportunity for young adults with developmental challenges but they also help poor women in Africa put food on their families table by gainfully employed. I shop at Handsmeup regularly and whatever I buy, I send them to Africa to be resold to the public by employing unemployed mothers so that they can raise money to take care of their families.
I love Hand Me Ups! It is the most well organized thrift store I have been to, and I've been to a lot! I always find something good. I enjoy talking to the employees. They are all so sweet and seem so proud to be working. I tell people about Hand Me Ups all the time. Thank you for the wonderful work you do!
HandmeUps is a very nice thrift store in a convenient location in Raleigh. The store is very clean and organized and the staff is especially nice and helpful. Their purpose is to provide jobs and help autistic and other people with developmental delays. I highly recommend this store for interesting items. Who knows, one man's trash is another man's treasure.
"Hand me-Ups" is the only Thrift Store I donate my recyclable items to and the only Thrift Store I shop at.
This store is welcoming with a friendly staff. Also very clean & well organized.
Good marketing skills with special sales & a monthly 20% discount coupon to encourage shoppers to re-visit.
I am retired Special Ed. teacher. My goal was to prepare my students to reach their potential at their level of capability.
It gives me great joy when I am at "Hand me-Ups" to observe so many special needs people working there in various capacities, as they are productively reaching their potential.
I encourage my family & friends to donate to Hand me -Ups & shop there too.
God Bless.
Whenever I come to the store, I am greeted by very friendly cashiers and staff. The store is always clean and exceptionally well stocked. The prices are very reasonable. I recently bought 6 large comforters for a storage place for only $20. One of the staff members with intellectual disabilities asked if I needed help to get these to my car and he walked all the way across the parking lot with me to help with the bulky merchandise. Love the mission of the store: To provide training and employment opportunities for adults with autism/IDD!
As a parent of a young adult with autism, I fully support in all ways this amazing store. They employ individuals with Autism, giving them valuable work experience, as well as a sense of fulfillment and valued members of the community.
As a shopper, the store always has a variety of items -so fun to browse and truly embodies what you think of when you hear the term "thrift store" - variety of items and incredible value. Signing up for monthly discounts is nice bonus... but prices are so good, don't really need it! (but love it - hope they keep it!)
I encourage everyone to shop, donate and support this amazing effort - Handmeups Thrift is amazing!! I will continue to spread the word - this place beats a goodwill store!
The selection of merchandise is good, the store is clean and organized, and the staff are very nice. I donate my used items here because I like to support a good cause.
This thrift store is fantastic! They care about their employees and it shows. Everyone there is helpful and has a smile and the merchandise is high quality and organized!
HandmeUps Thrift Store is a dream come true where people with disabilities are treated with dignity and respect and have the opportunity to work which brings an income, social outlet, and self esteem. Great job Jeff and Gena.
Absolutely my favorite thrift store in the area. It's the only one I donate to and buy from. I love talking with the staff and am very proud of their hard work. I have never seen clothing so organized in a thrift store in my life. The pricing is reasonable and you can see where your money/donations are going when you talk with the employees. I get compliments on the outfits I get from there. Very easy to donate at the back door too. They are always ready to help you unload your car and write you a receipt.
I am so impressed with the work Power of the Dream is doing. Not only does the thrift store provide employment and dignity for individuals with disabilities, the Power of the Dream team is working with the community to educate and partner with local businesses to create training and employment opportunities for more people with disabilities. Through the PowerUp Inclusive Employment Task Force, they are reaching out to the community at large to identify programs already in place and to join forces with other nonprofits, educational resources, businesses, and individuals to make an important difference in Wake County and beyond.
As a mom of 2 special needs children who are in their teens, I am thrilled with the opportunities HANDmeUPs is offering to so many who would not have an option for employment otherwise. I am in awe of their determination and perseverance with the store! We need more businesses like this in our communities!
I've been shopping thrift stores for over three decades. This nonprofit has an awesome mission! It gave me goosebumps when I heard about it. I appreciate what's being done for individuals with disabilities. I have two children on the spectrum and I hope by the time they grow up that this type of organization becomes a trend! People with compassion, unconditional acceptance, and a welcoming heart need to step up and run this planet! It's not just about profits, we are so done with that! Instead of focusing on money, money, money, alone, we (every human being!) all need to make sure everyone is well taken care of. This organization sets a perfect example. Thank you!
Love the mission of this organization. I know for a fact that my donations to The Power of the Dream and HANDmeUPs are going directly to the employment of people with autism and/or IDD. They are very responsible with the money you give.
After spending most of life empowering individuals with disabilities ,finally there's a place where they can feel whole. Great job Hand me ups we need more business owners like you!!!!!!!!!!!
HANDmeUPs is everything a non-profit should be. Dedicated to their mission and the integrity of their work, they not only help the people they employ and the community which they serve -they help all of us grow to be better people by association. If you've never visited - stop in and ask them to explain what they do . . .it is a mesmerizing experience!
The nicest thrift store in Raleigh. I have found some very nice clothes as well as many other items here. Book selection is very good. Prices are excellent. Staff is friendly. I go in at least once a week to see what new treasures I might find.
HandMeUps creates vital jobs for adults with disabilities while offering great clothing and other gently used items for purchase. Their business model is a win-win for all: affordable goods for consumers and jobs for those who are often overlooked by employers.
Love this store. I try to stop in at least every other week. I find great bargins and the main reason I keep coing back is the fantastic staff. The positive energy is great. They sell art created by people with IDD, and they employee adults with IDD. The empowerment they foster is truely a gift. In a society where adults with autism and/or other Intellectual Developmental Disabilities are often ignored or forgetten, Jeff and Gena provide a great hope and skills needed for these adults.
One of North Raleigh's hidden gems! A wonderful thrift store with friendly staff, a great selection and very fair prices. If you haven't heard of Hand Me Up's you really should stop and check it out. They are making a difference in our community in so many ways. I look forward to stopping by. You will not be disappointed.
HandMeUps is a wonderful place that creates jobs for adults on the spectrum. They have a terrific selection of merchandise and it is a pleasure to see a charity that works hands on to help.
I am currently a paid employee of HandMeUps and couldn't be happier working here. Everyone is so nice, helpful, and caring personnel. The quality of items for sale is 'upper crust' for sure, you'll find brand name clothing some never worn before! And who wouldn't love a new top for only $3.49!! The pricing allows for everyone to take advantage of what we have for sale, and there is something for everyone!
The disabled young adults working there blow my mind. They are such hard and conscientious workers. They take great care with whatever job they are assigned. I am a cashier and therefore get to interact with everyone who comes into the store to shop. I've made some wonderful friends through these interactions. Seems a quality store draws quality people!!
I look forward to many, many happy years with this organization. Jeff and Gina are two of the most caring people I've ever had the pleasure to know. Their hearts are in this store 100%! and then some. Please consider dropping in and checking us out, you won't be disappointed!!
Ive created a HANDmeUPs 5k walk to raise money for their amazing cause to be able to employ and provide training to adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. They are a great non-profit organization whose goal is slowly becoming a reality.
The Power of the Dream is a wonderful organization, with very dedicated board members, volunteers and employees. Everybody wholeheartedly supports our mission: To create jobs and advocate for adults with autism and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities. We are so proud of our success of the past year. We opened a wonderful thrift store and will soon be employing 18 adults with disabilities. We have contracts with 5 disabled micro-business owners who can display and sell their artwork, crafts, books in our HANDmeUPs thrift store in Raleigh, NC. We are networking with other non-profits in the community to make the best use of the donations we receive and ensure that nothing goes to waste. We plan to educate the community about customized employment for adults with autism/IDD at an event in May and we will continue to advocate for this population and to work with anybody in the community who is willing to help us create more opportunities and a better quality of live for these adults.
Previous Stories
The Power of the Dream is creating jobs and advocates for adults with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Very dedicated people with years of experience in this field. They are well connected in the community and have a great long term vision. Their latest project, the HANDmeUPs thrift store in Litchfield Village, North Raleigh, will open in August of 2013. They are always looking for quality volunteers, meaning folk that have a passion for improving the quality of live of disabled people and very high ethics. If you have a background in working with or for adults with disabilities, you should try this organization. Their standards are high, so you need to present yourself in a professional way and be reliable and trust worthy. Call the Board President if you are interested. her number is 919-623-6863
This is such a worthy organization! The merchandise is amazing and there's something for everyone- clothes, shoes, furniture, jewelry, books, toys, etc. Everything is well displayed, clean and organized. Giving adults with learning disabilities an opportunity to have a job and feel purposeful is invaluable. The entire staff in the store is helpful, kind and happy! I hope everyone spreads the word and tells their friends and families to shop and also to donate to this wonderful program.
What can I say, Handmeups needs to be on your "go to" list! Not only will you find very high quality merchandise for sale but you'll also find a group of young adults very willing to be of assistance! Handmeups give these young adults an opportunity to be employed in a setting where they feel a sense of community.
I am a proud donor, shopper, and sister of a Handmeups volunteer. My sister volunteers several days each week with her staff. She is so proud of the store and of her work there. It is wonderful to stop by and see how hard she works and how exciting it is for her to be valued. My preschooler loves to shop at handmeups with me. Well, she actually just likes to sit at the book table while i shop. We have purchased way too many princess things...hat, bicycle, costumes, and more. They have lots of great items at amazing prices, and i finally have a place i feel good about donating our used items to.
I'm a proud volunteer of this amazing store. I volunteer on my days off and work with a young woman that volunteers there. The focus is on their abilities and what makes them feel confident. Also the quality and quantity of donations is fabulous. Come shop and donate!!!
My husband & I were looking for an Organization to donate our household items. My car was full, I didn't know where I was going to go. On the Noon News, WRAL, I see the story for HANDmeUP's. I was sold! Not only did I make this my Organization to donate my items to, I became a Volunteer! The group is amazing! They are great listeners, TRUE Team Players!
Truely a life-changing experience for me!
I think this is an amazing way to help persons with disABILiTiES to grow and become working independent adults. Often times business do not want to hire or help those with disabilities because many people are afraid and do not understand what a disability is, or the abilities of those it affects. I want to say this is an amazing idea and am proud that their once vison have now come to be. I know that this is just the beginning. I am excited to see what they will do next. Thank you for being a great leader for those who have intellectual developmental disabilities!!!
The Power of the Dream and the HANDmeUPs Thift Store are the greatest thing to come along since sliced bread. Our community, as well as communities everywhere, needs employment options for the developmentally disabled and the store has provided that and much more. Not only does the store employ workers who have the hardest time finding jobs, especially in this economy, but it provides them with the opportunity to be contributors to the community in which they live. It's a win-win for everyone. A big thank you to the founders of this great organization and store!
I love this thrift store and I love its mission. At a time when NC is making cuts everywhere, we finally have an organization that is creating jobs and making dreams come true. The store is huge, awesome and packed with wonderful items for sale. The staff are kind, genuine and helpful. Thanks so much to the managers and volunteers who are reaching their hands out and up. SHOP HERE!
Katherine
Wake County Teacher
I have an Intellectual disability and was looking for a job that would fit with my disability and my degree from Wake Tech Community College. This organization is the perfect fit for me and it will allow me to grow my skills as an Administrative Assistant. Thank you HANDmeUPs for what you have done for folks like me.
jjob 09/13/2016
Thank you for your review, we're so pleased you love shopping at HANDmeUPs Thrift! Tell your friends!!