September 15, 2004

Paperworks Studio presses ahead

Spread Your Wings benefit raises more than $30,000 for vocational training program

By
Herald staff writer

      Paperworks Studio creates more than beautiful handmade paper products - it creates a place where young adults with special needs can succeed.
      That success was celebrated at Saturday night's Spread Your Wings fund-raiser to benefit the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District's vocational training program. Located at the Adult Work Center, Paperworks is run as a business that not only teaches a skill but develops the work ethic, appropriate work behaviors and attitudes necessary to prepare students for employment.
      "We offer a creative solution to employing those that haven't been able to find work. It gives them a paycheck and the self esteem of being part of a community. That's why the studio is here," said TBA-ISD vocational coordinator Mimi Spaulding.
      The program began nearly 13 years ago when Tim Coffey, a teacher for the severely multiply impaired, started a classroom project to produce handmade paper incorporating the idea of recycling. That project has since expanded to include 24 young adults employed at the TBA-ISD Adult Work Center and 130 students involved in the school training program.
      "The purpose of the project is two-fold. First, students learn to work through the process and take pride in knowing that they are making a contribution. The other side of the coin is that the community comes together to embrace this group that should have the opportunity to work," Coffey said.
      "You might not be able to do this in another community. It has been a real group effort."
      Spread Your Wings, which raised more than $30,000 to help offset payroll for the workers and operations costs, is just one more way the community has stepped up to support the program.
      The sale of note cards, magnets, gift tags, bookmarks and specialty invitations - made of recycled materials and flower petals - has really taken off. So much so, that the demand has exceeded the supply.
      The real success of the program, however, is in the accomplishment of those it is meant to help.
      "I like the people I work with. Everyone is just totally into it. We have accomplished a lot and business is booming," said Paperworks employee Jeff Barritt.