Thrift store celebrates two years of providing opportunity

At 19 years old, Justus Herrin has something many teenagers look forward to but don’t always achieve right away: a job he en­joys, a paycheck of his own, and growing independence.

For the Alpine resident on the autism spectrum, getting there took courage, encouragement from his family, and an oppor­tunity from a local business that believes everyone deserves a chance to succeed.

That opportunity came through Summit Thrift, an Alpine thrift store founded by Nancy Dorame and her son, Seth Farnum, with a mission of creating opportunities for indi­viduals with autism and other disabilities while serving the community through donations and outreach.

What began as a volunteer position during Herrin’s senior year of high school has since become a part-time job that has helped him build confidence, de­velop workplace skills, and gain a greater sense of independence.

The journey began when his mother, Summer Herrin, en­couraged him to seek a volun­teer position or work experience as he prepared for adulthood.

She learned about Summit Thrift and its commitment to supporting individuals on the spectrum and reached out to Dorame. Soon afterward, Jus­tus was invited to volunteer at the store.

Like many young adults starting their first job experi­ence, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

“I was nervous and excited at the same time,” Justus Herrin said.

His first responsibilities in­cluded sorting out donations and helping organize merchan­dise. As he became more com­fortable and demonstrated a strong work ethic, Dorame and Farnum encouraged him to be­come a paid employee.

That transition marked an important milestone.

Receiving a paycheck allowed Herrin to open a checking ac­count and begin managing his own money. He now enjoys the freedom that comes with earn­ing an income, whether that means buying lunch for him­self or occasionally treating his younger brothers to something special.

“It gives me more indepen­dence,” he said.

On a typical day at Summit Thrift, Justus Herrin helps set up merchandise displays out­side the store, including cloth­ing racks, books, and other items available for sale. He also assists with unloading do­nations, sorting items, tagging merchandise, and helping keep the store organized and clean.

Some donations remain in the store, while others are directed toward charitable causes, in­cluding helping families in need and individuals experiencing homelessness.

While the work itself has been rewarding, Herrin said the ex­perience has also changed him personally.

One of the biggest surprises has been discovering how much he enjoys interacting with cus­tomers.

He likes hearing people’s sto­ries and seeing the wide vari­ety of items that come through the donation center. Books are among his favorite donations to sort through because there is always something unexpected to discover.

The job has also helped him become more confident in his organizational abilities.

“I didn’t always think I was good at organizing things,” he said. “Now I know I can do it.”

Justus Herrin credits much of his success to the supportive environment created by Dorame and Farnum.

He added that they make their employees feel comfort­able in the workplace and are attentive to their needs. They make sure everyone has water and shade in hot weather.

More importantly, he said they genuinely care about the people who work for them.

That encouragement extends beyond his current role at the store.

Justus Herrin is developing a board game of his own, and the owners have already told him they would be happy to sell it at Summit Thrift when it is completed.

For Summer Herrin, watch­ing her son grow through the experience has been especially meaningful.

What began as a volunteer opportunity has become a path­way toward greater confidence, responsibility, and indepen­dence.

The story also reflects the broader mission behind Sum­mit Thrift.

Since opening in Alpine, the owners have worked to create more than just a thrift store. The business has become a place where individuals with autism and other disabilities can gain valuable work experience while contributing to the community. The store is also known for giv­ing back through charitable efforts, including helping local families during the holidays.

As Summit Thrift celebrates its second anniversary, Justus Herrin’s journey serves as one example of the impact that op­portunity, patience, and support can have on a young person’s life.

For other young adults on the autism spectrum who may be nervous about volunteering or entering the workforce, Herrin offers simple advice: don’t be afraid to try something new.

“It might feel scary at first,” Justus Herrin said, “but it can lead to something really good.”

For Justus Herrin, that first step led to far more than a job. It led to confidence, indepen­dence, new friendships, and the knowledge that he is capable of more than he once imagined.