About Charitable Treasures Workshop
Our Inspiration
We struggled to find a work environment that was supportive of Michael’s special needs. We discovered that he needed much more training than other students his age. So after he had tried and failed at several jobs, we brought him back into our care to teach him basic work skills. We used furniture refinishing as a venue to teach him focus, responsibility and pride in a job well done. A friend donated a couple hope chests that she was going to throw out. Michael took painstaking effort to refinish them. When they were done we invited the lady who had donated them to come and see the finished product. She said she only had one problem… she now wanted them back! She insisted on paying Michael for his work. We then asked Michael how it felt to be paid for his work. His response was “As they went from trash to treasure, so did I!” He had gained much needed self confidence and job skills. Michael now lives independently and holds down a part-time job.
Michael was the inspiration for Charitable Treasures Workshop, challenging us to provide the same one on one job skills training for others in our community.
Jamie and Ben Caperton