They come from all backgrounds and circumstances. Some with significant health or mental health issues. Others battered and living with threats from former partners. Still others laboring under family burdens not of their own making. A number are retired, isolated and lonely, and in need of supplemental income. Others are young mothers, trying to find a home, childcare, and economic opportunity. There are immigrants looking to spread their wings in a challenging new environment.
Each has a somewhat different story—as do we all. At bottom, though, our similarities far outweigh our differences. Whether staff, board member, student, graduate or volunteer, each has something to teach and something to learn.
Introducing Irene.
Irene found Make Piece while recovering from an auto accident and wrestling with bipolar disorder and other issues. She had many ups and downs during training, though she'd thoughtfully warn us when she was "threatening to be noncompliant." She persisted, morphing into our first star designer, charming us with her declaration "I am Make Piece!", investing $11,000 of her earnings into her business and creating literally thousands of unique pieces. Just before her untimely death at 34 from a heart attack, she strode into our office while on a sales call, looking like a million dollars in a black suit and heels, hair piled atop her head, with a gleaming roller case of new jewelry in tow. As Irene set the standard to which we still aspire, we named our studio in her honor.
Meet more of our family of graduates, read their stories and peruse their creations:
Cecelia,
Doris,
Frajille,
Lisa,
Margaret,
Naomi,
Nikki,
Pat,
Pat Too,
Tracy Too, and
others.
