Press Release
Media Contact:
Erika Spalding
Vice President of Corporate Communications & Marketing
[email protected]
703-361-4195 x 1364 (o)
571-264-4127 (m)
Manassas, VA (Jan. 19, 2022) – Didlake Inc., a nonprofit that connects people with disabilities to employment and community engagement opportunities, announces the acquisition of its third The UPS Store franchise in Northern Virginia. The store, which reopened under Didlake’s ownership on Oct. 16, is located on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax.
Leveraging more than a quarter century of experience managing mailroom and copy center operations at federal government sites throughout the National Capital Region, Didlake opened its first The UPS Store in 2015 in Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge. Four years later, Didlake opened its second store in Center at Innovation in Bristow/Manassas.
“With the opening of our third store, we are excited to expand our presence at George Mason University and to create new opportunities for the people we serve. Our The UPS Store franchises provide supportive, integrated work and training environments for people with disabilities,” said Erika Spalding, Vice President of Corporate Communications & Marketing, Didlake.
Didlake also has a presence at the university’s Manassas campus. The Didlake Grand Foyer, named for Didlake as a result of a gift from the estate of Roger J. Costello, invites patrons into the Hylton Performing Arts Center with its sweeping staircase and large open floor plan. The Hylton Performing Arts Center provides employment, volunteer, performance and educational opportunities for Didlake clients and others with disabilities.
“In addition to providing opportunities for people with disabilities, our franchises and community partnerships also help us raise awareness of disability employment issues and cultivate community-wide support of our mission,” Spalding said. “The store will provide excellent service to students, teachers, faculty and others, and by using our services, customers will help us create a more disability-inclusive workforce.”
Located in Mason’s Merten Hall, the store prints banners, posters, presentations, reports, brochures, resumes and much more. It also offers design services, shipping, packing, notary and mailbox services. For a full list of services, coupons and store hours, visit the store website.
About Didlake®
Didlake is a nonprofit rehabilitative services organization headquartered in Manassas, Virginia. It was founded in 1965 to create opportunities for people with disabilities through services that connect them to employment, education and the community. Through its Day Support, Employment Services, and Workforce Support and Development programs, Didlake serves over 2,000 people with disabilities annually throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Didlake is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, accredited by CARF, is CIMS-GB-certified, and proudly serves the nation through the AbilityOne® Program.