The St. Clair County Transit District is teaming up with Challenge Unlimited to provide retail opportunities for transit commuters at the Belleville MetroLink Station on March 1. A grand opening for the new store, A Quick Bite, will take place on March 1 at 11:15 AM located at 718 Scheel Street, Belleville, 62221. Headquartered in Alton, Challenge Unlimited’s mission is to become a national leader in providing opportunities to people with disabilities that empower them to reach their highest level of independence. Through this unique partnership, Challenge Unlimited will manage the shop which will provide transit commuters the option to stop in for convenience items as well as transit passes steps from the Belleville Station platform.
“We are so pleased to partner with Challenge Unlimited which employ persons seeking real work experiences for more independent living options. In addition, we will now be providing additional amenities for the employees and our customers. All of these partnership efforts are a part of SCCTD’s commitment to improving the transit rider experience through meaningful engagement and delivery of the services our riders want,” said St. Clair County Transit District Board member Herb Simmons.
The store will be open 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday thru Friday. The St. Clair County Transit District is also working on enhancing bus stops with community partners, programming at stations like the recent “Wake Up to a Sweeter Commute,” and recently underwrote three new transit patrol vehicles for the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department.
“Challenge Unlimited views this partnership as not only an opportunity to empower more individuals with disabilities through job training and experience but also the opportunity to build a partnership with the St. Clair County Transit District to ensure access to many more jobs throughout the region for our clients,” said Susan Wild, Challenge Unlimited Director of Skills Training Services.
For nearly 60 years, Challenge Unlimited has been committed to the inclusion of individuals with disabilities—both in the workplace and in mainstream society. With the leadership of President & CEO, Charlotte Hammond, Challenge Unlimited’s work helps people with disabilities from all walks of life acquire the skills and connections to maximize their participation in the community. As a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accredited Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) provider, Challenge Unlimited fulfills its mission through adult programs, facility support services, work skills training centers, employment services, and community-integrated living options.