Love-Craft Athens Inc

LOVE.CRAFT ATHENS HAS DESIGNED A CLASS THAT TEACHES ADULTS OF ALL ABILITIES HOW TO MAKE AND SELL SMALL CLAY PRODUCTS. WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH EDUCATION FOR BOTH ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY BY COLLABORATING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA AND SELECT LOCAL BUSINESSES, PROVIDING INFORMATION ON HOW TO SUPPORT OUR TRAINEES, AND GENERATING MORE PURPOSEFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM.

DAILY ART STUDIO- THE POTTERY & ART PROGRAM WAS CREATED FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (OUR CREW) TO HAVE AN OUTLET FOR CREATIVITY AND TO LEARN JOBS SKILLS BY MAKING AND SELLING POTTERY. WE ASSESS INDIVIDUAL'S SKILLS AND INTERESTS IN THE STUDIO AND CREATE MODIFICATIONS FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. IN UNDER THREE YEARS THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL, GROWING FROM 4 CREW MEMBERS TO CURRENTLY SERVING 30 CREW MEMBERS. WE OFFER FALL, SPRING, AND SUMMER SCHEDULING TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS 10AM-5PM.SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION:MUSIC PROGRAM- THIS PROGRAM OFFERS A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOME OF OUR CREW TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES THROUGH MUSIC AND MOVEMENT. MANY OF OUR CREW HAVE SPECIAL INTERESTS IN MUSIC & DANCE, AND MUSIC THERAPY HAS PROVEN BENEFITS FOR IMPROVING FOCUS, COMMUNICATION, & SELF-DETERMINATION. THIS PROGRAM WORKS ON EMPOWERING OUR CREW TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES TO FIND THEIR VOICE, PROVIDING IMPORTANT TOOLS FOR THEM TO IDENTIFY WITH OUR ATHENS COMMUNITY. AT THIS POINT, OUR PROGRAM HAS SUPPORTED THE CREATION OF THE LOVE.CRAFT BAND WHICH HAS 3 CREW MEMBERS & 2 STAFF, AS WELL AS 2 ADDITIONAL MUSIC EXPLORATION & PERFORMANCE GROUPS EACH WEEK. OUR MUSIC EXPLORATION GROUPS TAKE PLACE ON WED & THURS 10-4P.CUSTOM EMPLOYMENT- WE CREATE CUSTOMIZED COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES FOR OUR CREW THAT ARE PAID, VOLUNTEER, OR ENTREPRENEURIAL. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 15 CREW IN PAID OR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, AND 4 WITH ARTWORK IN A PUBLIC ART GALLERY.TRANSPORTATION- PROVIDING ACCESS: TRANSPORTATION IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS THIS POPULATION FACES AND WE ARE SO EXCITED TO FINALLY BE TACKLING IT. NOT HAVING RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION RESTRICTS OPPORTUNITIES THAT THIS POPULATION CAN ACCESS. WE CURRENTLY PROVIDE RIDES TO AND FROM OUR STUDIO FOR 10 OF OUR 30 CREW. OUR GOAL IS TO BE ABLE TOPROVIDE THEM TRANSPORTATION TO OUR PROGRAM, BUT ALSO TO JOBS THAT THEY GET IN THE COMMUNITY. WE USE WHEELS OF HOPE, A SERVICE WHICH PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE VISUALLY IMPAIRED, DISABLED, OR NO LONGER DRIVE FOR VARIOUS REASONS.