Helene's Thrifts & Gifts is Open for Business!

MADISON - ECLC of New Jersey is thrilled to announce that with the snip of a ribbon our new venture, Helene's Thrifts & Gifts store at 16 Waverly Place, officially opened its doors on Wednesday, May 28!

This shop is the first business opened by the nonprofit ECLC, which has schools and adult services for individuals with special needs. It was the dream of namesake ECLC Trustee Helene Jaffee, who proposed a store as a way to create job opportunities for adults with special needs.

Yesterday, as a thank you, ECLC Executive Director Peter Petrou made the first purchase of a colorful vase for Jaffe and placed a beautiful bouquet of flowers in it.

He joked, "If you don't like the vase, you can donate it back!"

While Jaffee quietly stood among the crowd during the Grand Opening ceremony, her inspiring story came to light. Years ago, she brought up the concept and continued to raise the idea with ECLC leadership. When Petrou became the executive director in 2020, her persistence paid off. He decided to explore the idea and eventually it became a reality.

The Grand Opening included a number of elected officials: Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill; Madison Mayor Bob Conley; Madison Council members John Forte and Melissa Honohan; Chatham Borough Mayor Carolyn Dempsey; and Chatham Borough Council members Karen Koronkiewicz and Justin Strickland.

Afterward, the store staff was busy assisting customers and ringing up sales, hopefully, a sign of success to come.

Already the Madison area community has embraced Helene’s. Store Manager James Hannah said they were so inundated with donations that he had to pause on accepting more items.

About Helene's

Store hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 pm. Donations are welcome during those hours as well.

The following are being accepted:

• Small furniture (end tables, chairs, nightstands - please call first).
• Clothing (any season/decade), shoes, handbags, jewelry, accessories.
• Linens, throw pillows, clean area rugs (call before donating large ones).
• Holiday décor (off-season welcome; call before bringing large trees).
• Kitchenware (dishes, small appliances, cookware, utensils).
• Home décor (art, frames, lamps, vases, candles, knick-knacks).
• Craft supplies (sewing, knitting, scrapbooking, etc.).
• Electronics (in working order—no CRT/tube TVs).

Questions should be addressed to store manager James Hannah at jhannah@eclcofnj.org or (973) 330-3343.

About ECLC of New Jersey

ECLC of New Jersey is an accredited, nonprofit, educating students ages 5–21 with severe learning and/or language disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome or multiple disabilities at schools in Chatham and Ho-Ho-Kus.

Every student graduates with a plan for adulthood. ECLC provides Transition Services to bridge the gap from the classroom to a job or day program. Many students stay within the ECLC family of services, either in the PRIDE Adult Program or in supported-employment jobs or support coordination services offered through affiliate, Community Personnel Services (CPS).

ECLC offers a trusted community of caring individuals to help individuals with special needs achieve their greatest potential in life! Learn more.