LAKEVIEW — A new designer pop-up boutique planned for Clark Street has a STEM twist.
All the profits of Hasana, 2937 N. Clark St., will be used to help fund a pilot science, technology, engineering and math program for high school girls as part of the nonprofit The Aparecio Foundation, said Jessica George, the foundation's founder and executive director.
Hasana is run by the foundation.
So buy a dress by 81 Poppies or a ring from Sticks and Stones, and the difference between wholesale and retail value will help 20 low-income, "high-potential" CPS girls investigate current issues in STEM fields for 11 weeks.
George, who used to work with rich clients at a bank, saw that many wealthy people were donating to arts organizations. That's an important issue, but she saw a need for a charity that focused on public education, too, she said.
The Aparecio Foundation was born in 2009 with the goal of matching CPS high school girls with career and education mentors from high school through college.
"It's all funded by people who want to help," she said.
The storefront, which will have a 1920s theme, should be open in the next two weeks, George said. It will be open until Oct. 1.
Hasana will sell men's and women's clothing, accessories, gifts and home goods, with prices ranging from $40 to $390, depending on the designer. Soon, people will be able to make purchases on the website, too.
The program needs money to pay for renting computer labs, supplies for science projects and — if enough money is raised — a field trip for the students. Leftover money raised will stay in the Aparecio Foundation.
Mentors are not paid. The group may add tutors one day.
"It's about long-term academic support," George said.
