Exciting New Collaboration with People's Pottery Project
This holiday we are collaborating on a special edition product with People's Pottery Project (PPP). PPP is another impactful LA social enterprise--providing formerly incarcerated women with paid vocational training, healing community, and skills in crafts and making.
Artisans take a tour of our creative partners around LA
Come along on our tour of local lumber yards, mills, and furniture shops! Program Director Michele Liu takes our Artisans to see the work of some of the great creative businesses that make our work possible. "As we transition into building a more robust training program we felt it was important for the Artisans to see the full picture what woodworking is like from beginning to end." says Liu.
Sawdust + Stout Fundraiser with Nick Offerman!
Thanks to our champion Board member Nick Offerman for hosting this super fun and successful fundraiser workshop. On July 31 2021, Nick taught a virtual woodworking workshop to over 100 people from across the US raising nearly $60k for Would Works August relaunch!
Designing Furniture That Makes Waiting Not Feel Like Waiting
For the last month, a team of Would Works staff members and community partners have been participating in an intensive design workshop at the Stanford d.school. Through interviews, co-design sessions, observations and prototypes, our team is helping to redesign the waiting area experience at the Skid Row Community Refresh Spot.
Would Works @ Stanford d.school
Would Works won a generous scholarship to attend an intensive workshop called Designing for Social Systems (DSS) at Stanford's d.school this month! We put together a great team that will be helping to design the outdoor waiting room experience at the Skid Row Community ReFresh Spot
Welcome Our New Program Director Michele Liu!
In addition to leading the relaunch of Would Works existing programs this Spring, Michele will be developing the new "Outdoor Workshop" model as we pivot our program to include the design and fabrication of outdoor furniture for public spaces around LA.
Where to Buy Would Works Products this Holiday Season
Our Workshop and store is still closed due to Covid-19 precautions, but some of our most popular products are still available this Holiday season through other impactful vendors. See links to where to buy here and continue to support Would Works this Holiday season.
Would Works Relaunches with Award from USC Social Enterprise Grant!
After closing for Covid in March 2020, Would Works has just received a grant from the USC Social Enterprise Lab to relaunch a new outdoor program! We will kick off by building outdoor furniture for the new ReFresh Spot in Skid Row and various supportive housing sites throughout LA.
Without a home in a pandemic: a Would Works Artisan shares her story in this podcast
The pandemic has been scary, disruptive, and challenging for everyone, but for the unhoused community it has been downright traumatizing. This episode The Uncertain Hour, a Marketplace podcast, explores the story of one of our outstanding Artisans as she navigates life in Skid Row during Covid.
Would Works Partners with the National Association of Women in Construction
Would Works wins the 2019-2020 ChangeMaker Challenge!
We are proud winners of the 2019-2020 ChangeMaker Challenge, awarded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
60 Lions on the Prowl!
Our first international craft collaboration--Would Works made engraved desk plaques for lions which were hand-carved by artisans in Ghana.
