Harc Expanding Its West Hartford Facilities

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Harc officials Tuesday said the organization has signed a six-month lease at 16 LaSalle Road to launch a West Hartford employment learning center in an effort to expand its job training and coaching for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The alternative programming space is located next door to Harc's social enterprise retail store, known as SockStarz.

Harc officials said the concept is similar to the approach being taken by parents with school-age children where learning is conducted in small groups outside the school location. The space will be designed with "employment skill stations" to train Harc members for "targeted industries" and to maintain the skills needed at their respective job sites so they are ready to return to work when it is safe to do so.

The idea is to use the employment readiness center for participants during the week and weekends. Retail space will also be used for Harc members to showcase and sell products they create, like jewelry and artwork, officials said.

"We are excited about this new program and the learning opportunity it creates for our participants,” said Kimberly Paluska, the interim senior vice president of programs at Harc. "Opening our first learning center in West Hartford, right next to SockStarz just feels right, and we look forward to continuing to build partnerships with other businesses in the area."

Harc's long term objectives for the space may involve the continuation of the employment learning center operations with the "possibility of transitioning into an additional social enterprise as the space would already be secured for the new venture."

No definitive plans have been finalized beyond the pilot project, officials said.