[Jewelry making - Article 00086] - [Orchid] Make Piece Seeking Help

[Maureen Ward]

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    At Hanuman's suggestion, I'm writing to introduce our organization
    to and seek support from the wonderful Orchid community. 

    I am the founding president of a nonprofit 501c3 organization, Make
    Piece/Peace, Inc. Make Piece grew out of an interest in the living
    wage (a wage that supports a family in dignity, given the cost of
    housing and basic goods in its community) and a desire to model the
    living wage in a revenue-generating business involving low-income
    women. 

    In the Washington DC area, we offer a three-month curriculum in
    jewelry-making, financial literacy, small business basics and
    life-skills. We also manage a small, but growing, model jewelry
    business in which our graduates make and market their jewelry, gain
    valuable organizational and management experience, and access a
    broader market for their goods. Our clients earn the DC-area living
    wage rate for time spent making and marketing goods, teaching
    classes, and performing office work for the model business. For
    graduates who wish to develop their own independent businesses, Make
    Piece provides ongoing guidance to help them strengthen their
    marketing and business skills. 

    I was absolutely drooling when I read the list of items to be
    included in the raffle. My first impulse was to 'stuff the ballot
    box' by buying a bunch of tickets with my own money. But since I'm
    still subsidizing the organization, I can't really afford that. My
    next bright idea was to put out the word that, if the winner receives
    items that he or she doesn't need, we would REALLY appreciate the tax
    deductible contribution. 

    After 3 years of operating in borrowed space at odd times with
    nowhere to store our items or install equipment, we've finally rented
    a studio where our clients can produce items and classes can be
    taught. Our next challenge is to outfit it for basic metalsmithing
    and possibly lampworking. We've got some very talented clients and
    would like to help them get to the next level of expertise. Anything
    the winner -- or other members of the Orchid community -- can do to
    help us would be greatly appreciated. We also gratefully accept
    donations of unneeded beads and other components, supplies or
    equipment. And volunteers, teachers, etc. 

    Thanks for considering us. You can learn more at our website,
    www.mkpeace.com

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