New General Manager of Point Arc’s Apparel Shop, Connie Hutson, takes on the mission of I/DD clients

Written by Andy Foreman
point / arc

Once in the “app” she said she knew.

“When I read about the purpose and mission of The Point, I knew right away, this is where I belong. This is where I want to work and serve.”

And now she does.

Connie Hutson has been appointed General Manager of The Point’s Apparel Shop – one of four social enterprises owned and operated by a non-profit organization based in Covington.

The Point/Arc opened its first social venture – The Point Restaurant in 1982 – to provide vocational training to individuals with I/DD – intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In 1985, the Point Commercial Cleaning Company and Employment Program were added to provide job training, placement, and lifelong follow-up. Point Commercial Laundry was established in 1996.

In 2012, The Point/Arc opened the doors to The Point Apparel – formerly known as The Point Logo and Design Company.

In 2015, The Point Perk Coffee Shop opened as a way for the community to come for a “feel good” cup of coffee, and to see the company’s mission in action.

“My goals for the clothing store are very simple,” said Hutson, an Independence resident who grew up on Taylor’s Mill. “I want — and need — to increase business as well as visibility while building relationships with clients and the community.”

The Simon Kenton High School graduate says she has her own 16-needle embroidery machine, and sewing as well as making clothes and crafts has always been her hobby.

This should be quite helpful to the head of the new store located at 216 West 36th Street in Latonia.

The clothing store made—and created—everything from T-shirts to golf shirts, hats, caps, and even aprons—all with custom logos. During the Cincinnati Bengals’ Super Bowl season, The Apparel Shop couldn’t print—and sell—the Bengals’ custom jerseys, sweatshirts, and hoodies fast enough.

So how did the hobby eventually lead to a full-time general manager position?

Hutson said: “Believe it or not, I knew Leslie (Vickers) through the church. She told me all about The Point, and I was very interested.”

Leslie Vickers is the new Vice President / Point Enterprises – overseeing Social Enterprises for the entire organization.

She said, “The mission, and the good that The Point does for people is truly a blessing. I knew I wanted to work here.”

The Point/Arc was founded in 1972 – in 2022 the organization will celebrate its 50th anniversary. A group of parents, 50 years ago, was fighting for educational rights for their children diagnosed with an intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD).

Mission – To help people with disabilities achieve their highest educational, social, residential and vocational potential. More than that, The Point/Arc has been an organization that identifies gaps in services and provides care and support to fill those gaps – even when government funding sources are not available.

When Connie Hutson learns the purpose of The Point/Arc – she soon realizes it belongs to her, too.