MATTHEWS – Rabbi Bentzion Groner and his wife, Rochel, came to Charlotte about six years ago hoping to serve the social needs of children with disabilities through the nonprofit, The Friendship Circle. Bentzion, who is a leukemia survivor, knew he wanted to serve the...

For young adults with special needs, finding a job can be a challenge. A store in Matthews is helping some to show how much they can do. Jonathan Gale is known as the friendly guy who works the cash register at ZABS Place, in Matthews. The high-end thrift store is...

For teens in high school, it can be difficult to choose a part time job, college and career from the multitude of available options. But for their peers with special needs like autism or Downs syndrome, the difficulty lies in finding those same opportunities. That’s...

An upscale thrift store and employment center for young adults with special needs has opened in downtown Matthews. ZABS Place, run by Friendship Circle of Charlotte, opened in November. “The genesis for ZABS Place began at a kitchen table,” said Caren Gale of Myers...

Passersby might see ZABS Place, situated at the corner of Trade and John streets in downtown Matthews, as simply a trendy thrift shop. In reality, the store is more about mission than merchandise. Transitioning into adulthood can be a scary time for young adults with...