If you believe what you read about the problems in the Downtown East Side, you might think that helping women there is hopeless. But you would be wrong. “These women’s resourcefulness and resiliency still blows me away,” says Kate Stewart, TCP’s Product Manager. “Again and again we see women that are just looking for a pathway to lead them out of their situation,” says Allison, a graduate and a TCP product designer. For Allison and many other women, Tradeworks provided that path.
Martha
In her 50's, Martha came to the Women's Workshop with a tortuous past. Although she was older than most of the women in the program, she flourished. It was clear that what she enjoyed the most was the chance to be creative. At every opportunity, she looked for ways to design new products TCP could sell.
One day, she heard from a friend about wood he'd seen in a dumpster behind a furniture shop. When she went to look for herself, she was amazed to find small pieces of high quality walnut and cherry. When she brought her finds back to Tradeworks, her mind was buzzing with ideas of how to use the beautiful wood.
Her first products, beautiful hand-turned executive pens, are a major part of Tradework's product line. She continues to use the wood to create jewelry and other handcrafted products.
And the furniture manufacture, Form & Function? Thanks to Martha they save all their leftover wood for Tradeworks.
Alison
Alison, a self-taught wood carver, found out about Custom Trade Products from a friend. When she first joined the program, she was intimidated. Although Alison was familiar with hand tools, she had never operated power tools before. Her intimidation evaporated as she saw how the new tools could help her create art.
What did she like best about her training? “I loved the supportive environment here. It made learning a joy.” Today, Alison has expanded her repertoire and uses both power and hand tools in her art. She is one of “the artists in residence” at TCP, creating wood products with Aboriginal themes like her carved bent wood boxes.
“Since the training, my confidence is at all time high.” She can’t wait to take advantage of changes in the market place opening up for women in the trades. Since 25% of the current workers are baby boomers, there will be lots of opportunities for women in the trades when they retire. Alison will be ready.
Toni
Toni, an experienced graphic designer, immigrated to Canada to get married. After the birth of her daughter, the marriage broke down and Toni moved out with her 18-month-old. On her own with limited funds, her support system left behind in the states, Toni fell into depression. “Those were difficult times,” she said. “I couldn't afford childcare and I didn't have a network to help me find work.”Fortunately, Toni learned about the Womens Workshop at Tradeworks. “They found childcare, and helped me find a way out of my loneliness and isolation.” When she graduated, Toni began working for TCP, using her graphic design skills to help with publications and product design. Toni appreciates the supportive environment of Custom Trade Products and she readily agrees that opportunities provided by the Tradeworks allowed her to gain tremendous confidence and helped her get her life back on track.
