Vaseful in Princeton Celebrates One Year Anniversary
June 19, 2020 | Press Release.pdf | centraljersey.com
PRINCETON, NJ – Vaseful Flower & Gifts in Princeton recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.
Vaseful is a nonprofit flower store operated by Community Options Enterprises that provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Vaseful employees with and without disabilities work side by side to learn valuable retail, floral arrangement, and customer service skills.
“The Vaseful in Princeton has been such a wonderful innovative addition to Community Options and the 12 individuals that have been employed by it,” said Geraldina Casalaspro, Managing Director of Community Options Enterprises.
The Vaseful staff include typically work three-hour shifts and rotate responsibilities ranging from customer service at the front desk to delivering flowers in the community. Many of the skills they acquire are used to help them pursue competitive employment opportunities in other fields.
Vaseful was opened through a generous contribution from Community Options Enterprises Chair Philip Lian and his wife Joan Mueller. Last year, the store opened with a ribbon cutting celebration attended by New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney and Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert.
“We are grateful to be celebrating Vaseful’s one year anniversary in Princeton,” said Mayor Liz Lempert. “This flower shop helps to provide opportunity for meaningful work and helps create a true sense of community.”
This is the second Vaseful operated by Community Options Enterprises. Since first opening in New Brunswick in 1999, Vaseful has been offering high quality floral services and delivery through a nationwide network. The original location has since moved to Edison and is a self-sustaining social enterprise. Both Vaseful stores service weddings and other special occasions throughout the year.
Customers can place orders by calling (609) 751-9800, visiting the store in person at 305 Witherspoon Street, or online by going to vasefulprinceton.com.
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About Community Options, Inc.:
For over 30 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment supports for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people through over 40 offices across 10 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination. For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the #AllItTakes campaign, search #AllItTakes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.