Updated October 24, 2025
Strategic growth will double employment capacity while MOD Market operations will transition to the Living and Learning campus by January 2026
NORTHVILLE, Mich. – Living and Learning Enrichment Center today announced it will expand its Employment Services Division, a strategic evolution designed to meet overwhelming community demand for disability employment support. With more than 75 individuals currently on the waiting list for employment support, and a proven record of helping more than 200 people secure paying jobs and aspiring careers over the past decade, the organization will expand its capacity to serve dozens more participants each year beginning in January 2026.
To support the expansion, the nonprofit will reorganize resources to relocate its MOD Market retail operation to the Living and Learning campus at 801 Griswold Street in Northville. Once the transition is complete, MOD Market’s current space at 150 Mary Alexander Court in downtown Northville will be repurposed to house the expanded Employment Services Division.
MOD Market will remain open at its downtown location through December 30, 2025, allowing community members to continue shopping through the holiday season before relocating to the Living and Learning campus. As MOD Market streamlines operations and transitions its products to Living & Learning’s main campus, shoppers will continue to find a curated selection of art and handmade products online, at the farmstand, and inside the main house.
“Over the past six years, MOD Market has been much more than a retail space,” said Rachelle Vartanian, Founder and President of Living and Learning Enrichment Center. “It has been a place of growth, connection, and opportunity for individuals with special needs. But when we see 75 people waiting for employment services, we know we can make a greater impact by focusing our resources where the need is greatest. This evolution allows us to do what we do best on a much larger scale.”
The new Employment Services Division headquarters will be located in the heart of Northville, deepening partnerships with local businesses and strengthening the community’s inclusive employment network. The location will serve as a professional training hub, providing space for coaching, employer engagement, and one-on-one meetings with parents and participants.
“What began as a small team of two in a tiny Northville office has grown into a department of 23 employees dedicated to connecting individuals with disabilities to meaningful work,” said Pam Travis, Executive Director of Living and Learning Enrichment Center. “With this expansion, we plan to double the impact and extend our reach even further. We’ve proven that individuals with disabilities don’t just fill jobs—they transform workplaces.”
The Employment Services Division uses a relationship-building model that connects job coaches, employers, and individuals with disabilities to create lasting employment matches. The approach focuses on finding the right individuals for the right positions, resulting in employees who not only succeed but bring positive energy and meaningful contributions to workplaces throughout the community.
“We are deeply grateful to our community for the incredible support that has allowed so many accomplishments to flourish at MOD Market,” added Vartanian. “That same community support will now help us build on our foundation and broaden the reach of our efforts to empower and uplift even more individuals with disabilities.”
Founded in 2019, MOD Market is a social enterprise of Living and Learning. The shop provides employment opportunities and job-skills training for teens and young adults with disabilities in a supportive, inclusive environment. Featuring more than 1,500 handcrafted items, about half created by individuals with different abilities, the store highlights the work of over 100 local artisans and participants from Living and Learning’s “Uniquely MOD” program.
About Living and Learning Enrichment Center
Living and Learning Enrichment Center was founded in 2015 by Rachelle Vartanian and is a 501C3 charity headquartered in Northville, Michigan. Living and Learning is engaged in providing day/evening activities to teens and adults with different abilities including vocational and social skills programs. Their goal is to be the nation’s Model in equipping people who have different abilities with the skills they will need to be contributing members of society. Living and Learning also currently manages the MOD Market in downtown Northville. For more information, visit www.livingandlearningcenter.org.
Contact:
Matt Myfitu or Benjamin Curry
Marx Layne & Company
(248) 855-6777 office
mmyftiu@marxlayne.com
bcurry@marxlayne.com
Q&A: Expansion of Employment Services and the Future of MOD Market
Living and Learning Enrichment Center recently announced plans to expand its Employment Services Division to help more individuals with disabilities gain meaningful employment and greater independence. As part of this growth, MOD Market retail space in downtown Northville will transition to our organization’s main campus, allowing the downtown location to be repurposed for the expanded division beginning in January 2026.
We understand this change has prompted questions and comments from community members, participants and supporters. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we’ve received.
Q: Why is Living and Learning expanding its Employment Services Division?
A: Over the past decade, Living and Learning has helped more than 200 individuals with disabilities find paying jobs and careers. Today, more than 75 people remain on the waiting list for employment support. Expanding our Employment Services Division will allow us to double our capacity, connecting more individuals to meaningful work and independence.
Q: Why use the current MOD Market space for this expansion?
A: Repurposing our downtown Northville space is the most sustainable and mission-aligned way to expand quickly and serve more people on our waiting list. This approach allows us to invest directly in staff, training and participant programs rather than new leases or construction costs.
Q: Is MOD Market closing?
A: No. MOD Market is evolving, not ending. The downtown location will remain open through December 30, 2025, so the community can continue shopping through the holiday season.
After that, MOD Market will operate in new ways:
- At our main campus at 801 Griswold Street in Northville
- At our seasonal farmstand during the summer months
We’re also exploring partnerships with local businesses and organizations to showcase and sell artwork in community spaces across Northville and beyond.
Q: What will happen to the MOD Market empowered employees?
A: MOD Market empowered employees remain an important part of our community. Many will transition into expanded roles through our Employment Services Division or continue contributing through our campus operations. This change will create new training and job-matching opportunities while preserving the supportive environment that defines the Living and Learning Enrichment Center.
Q: Why not lease or fundraise for a new space instead of moving MOD Market?
A: We explored several options. However, consolidating our operations under our existing footprint allows us to expand more quickly without diverting funds away from our programs and services.
Q: Is Living and Learning moving away from its mission?
A: Not at all. This change strengthens our mission. Living and Learning was founded to help individuals with disabilities build confidence, develop skills and achieve independence through meaningful work and community connection.
MOD Market has been a vital part of that mission, and it will continue to be, just in new forms. The expansion of our Employment Services Division will allow us to help even more people find jobs, connect with employers and gain the same sense of purpose that MOD Market has offered for years. This evolution reflects our commitment to growth, inclusion and impact, ensuring that no one has to wait months or even years to receive the support they need.