Walking into the Casita store it seems like a typical shop selling art, clothing and jewellery but it is much more than that. Casita is providing people with disabilities work experience and life skills

The store in Greerton is the new base for the Casita organisation that is devoted to the growth and development of people with disabilities.

Teacher Charrissa Taylor-Gaskell started Casita after seeing a lot of high functioning students in the special needs department who had nothing to go to after finishing school.

After leaving school, they quickly stopped having friends and would spend their days at home, says Charrissa.

'They deteriorate in every area of life.”

To combat that, Casita focuses on social skills, life skills, fitness and creating a sense of community.

Around five years ago, Casita was a small store in Te Puke, then Charrissa ran the programme from a van taking people to work experience and getting out in the community.

Six months ago she decided they needed another premises and after a team effort the store and education centre opened two weeks ago.

As well as providing work experience some of the products sold are made by people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

There are about 20 people selling products at the store and there is now a waitlist for sellers. Vendors make a donation towards the lease cost to use the space.

Morgan Penny is a volunteer and says it's really cool to learn new skills, like working the cash register.

She enjoys seeing how people react when they're told about the store's purpose.

'The best part for me is watching how people react to it thinking: ‘wow, this is a really cool concept'.”

Morgan was one of Charrissa's first students 14 years ago and Charrissa says it's really special working with Morgan as an adult.

Charrissa works at Otumoetai College and Casita will be part of a transition programme for Year 12 and 13 students in the special needs department.

Students will be given jobs at the store like cleaning and sorting and they will also be taught life skills like cooking. There are plans to install a full kitchen when funds are available or if items like a fridge and oven are donated.

The hope is that in time they will be able to work with other secondary schools in Tauranga.

Opening the Greerton store is a dream come true for Charrissa.

'I've had so many big ideas and it's amazing that three or four of them can come together in this one place.”

Casita is at 1350 Cameron Rd, Tauranga