SCO Family of Services Celebrates Grand Opening of Journey Chic Boutique Operated by Youth in Foster Care

SCO Family of Services Received a $25,000 Grant from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation to Create Boutique

JAMAICA, NEW YORK (December 5, 2023) — SCO Family of Services held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the exciting opening of its Journey Chic Boutique created and operated by young adults in foster care. Journey Chic Boutique was supported through a generous $25,000 grant from the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the New York Mets.

This innovative project enables young adults in foster care to obtain valuable, transferable skills and real-world work experience as they gain confidence and independence. The “Boutique Specialists” who intern at the shop handle all day-to-day operations, including retail merchandising, customer service, appointment scheduling, and inventory control. They also act as personal shoppers, providing a curated shopping experience for clients in SCO’s foster care and preventive programs.

The boutique is stocked with clothing, accessories, and household essentials through partnerships with the Administration for Children’s Services and Materials for the Arts, New York City’s largest creative reuse center. All items are provided free of charge to SCO clients.

“At SCO, we believe that with the right supports, young people of all backgrounds can succeed and thrive. We help prepare youth in care for the transition to adulthood through a continuum of services that address their educational, career-readiness, life skills, and housing needs,” remarked Suzette Gordon, President and CEO of SCO Family of Services. “We are so proud of our young adults, and incredibly grateful to our friends at the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, the Administration for Children’s Services, and Materials for the Arts for their support and collaboration on this initiative.”

“The Amazin’ Mets Foundation is committed to our neighbors in Queens and the young people in our community,” said Alex Cohen, President of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. “We are proud to support SCO youth and their innovative idea to create a boutique that supports SCO clients in foster care with a special shopping experience.”

A standing room only crowd attended the grand opening at SCO’s Genovese Family Life Center in Jamaica, Queens, with special guests Assembly Member Vivian Cook, Deputy Queens Borough President Ebony Young, ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser, and Julianna Sabra and Jane Son, co-heads of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, along with Mrs. Met. Guests heard first-hand accounts from SCO youth Breshan and Destiny, who later joined the other Boutique Specialists to provide tours of the beautifully designed boutique.

The Journey Chic Boutique stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and community support in creating positive change. SCO looks forward to the continued success of the boutique and the positive impact it will have on the lives of young adults in foster care.

“It is a joy and inspiration to witness young people serving their communities with compassion and excellence through SCO’s Journey Chic Boutique.  Through their service, these young people in foster care are also developing their career skills that will help them achieve their goals in adulthood,” said ACS Commissioner Jess Dannhauser. “ACS is thrilled to partner with SCO Family of Services and Materials for the Arts to support the Journey Chic Boutique.”

“The Journey Chic Boutique is an innovative and engaging way to help young adults in foster care gain valuable skills and work experience,” said Deputy Queens Borough President Ebony Young. “It was a great honor for me to attend the grand opening ceremony and see the fruits of the labor these young adults have put in thus far. Congratulations to these young adults and to SCO Family of Services for their dedication to this exciting project.”

About SCO Family of Services
SCO Family of Services helps New Yorkers build a strong foundation for the future. We get young children off to a good start, launch youth into adulthood, stabilize and strengthen families and unlock potential for children and adults with special needs.

SCO’s residential and family foster care programs help guide over 700 children, youth, and young adults on the path to a brighter future.

SCO has played a vital role delivering human services in communities throughout New York City and Long Island for over 125 years. For more information, please visit www.sco.org.