MBUSD Choice Transition program hosts pop up stores

By Blake Laurita

Staff Writer

The Community, Healthy Living, Opportunity, Independence, Career, and Emotional Social Well-being (CHOICE) Transition Program, a Manhattan Beach Unified School District initiative for neurodiverse young adults, hosts three Pop Up stores during the month of December.

At each of the Pop Up Stores during the month of December, these young adults sell handmade products on three dates: the first, eighth and twentieth of December. They sell these products with the goal of raising money for the betterment of the organization and community while teaching the young adults business skills in the process.

“All of the products were made and designed by the young adults in the program and they’re also helping to sell it,” founder Lareina Rodriguez said. “We’re giving them the skills on how to run their own businesses.”

Photos: The Choice Transition Program hosts three Pop Up Stores during the month of December. 

Audio: An interview with Lareina Rodriquez on The Choice Pop Up Stores. This is the second year Rodriquez headed the pop up stores.

The pop-up stores sell products, created by the young adults in the program, include candles, coasters and art and have appeared on the following dates and locations: Thursday, December 1 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Mira Costa High School in the back of the Peck Avenue parking lot and Thursday, December 8 from noon to 2:00 p.m. at Manhattan Beach Preschool.

“This program is designed specifically for young adults who receive a certificate of completion,” Rodriguez said. “So it’s an alternate form of a diploma, but anyone who wants to volunteer is welcome.”

The profits made by selling the handmade products go back into the program, and are given to the MBX boosters, which then gives the program the opportunity to continue their work in the community and with the young adults. The program teaches neurodiverse adults between the ages of 18-22 business and life skills.

“All the profits that are made go to the MBX booster for the CHOICE program,” Rodriguez said. “We are able to use these funds to help sustain the program.”

View alternate news source’s take on the Pop Up Stores.

The program was created in 2015 by the MBUSD Special Education Department and sells handmade candles, jars, trinkets, coasters and artwork made by the members of the program. The next Pop Up store will take place Tuesday, December 20 from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the MBUSD offices.

For more information on the MBUSD CHOICE Program click here. 

“I think it’s a terrific idea and opportunity for the volunteers and it shows them that anything is possible,” customer Stacey Montero said. “I’m so glad that the stores are set up multiple times to maximize the amount of people that can buy their wonderful products.”