Just keep doing what feels right. Never give up. Along the way, wonderful women and men step in to carry a load and enrich the world---or specifically the South End of Springfield.
Gratitude! Today finds us on solid ground with the help of the Wellspring Cooperative - a non-profit to build worker-owned cooperatives. In fact, our new workshop is nestled on the first floor of the old monkey-wrench manufacturing building where Wellspring’s Upholstery Cooperative provides us with a whole community of worker-owners.
Sometimes things do happen for a reason. The City grant for the Old Window Workshop to employ four women in the South End hit a “bad timing syndrome.” Too much to do. Not enough resources to do it. We made the hard decision to forego the grant.
Then, Jay Minkarah, CEO of Develop Springfield, stepped forward. He believed that keeping original windows on the beautiful art-deco building, the Innovation Center at 270 Bridge St., would employ Springfield women. Develop Springfield’s continued commitment has provided jobs and an opportunity to grow.
The best thing that has happened to the Old Window Workshop is the gift of talent and wisdom of Meraly Diaz. She is an entrepreneur with a long-term vision for the success of our coop. Our next post will introduce you all to Meraly:
Wellspring and the Old Window Workshop are raising $15,000 for two women to be apprentices as Window Restoration Specialists. Please check out our KIVA site and offer a small loan to both efforts. https://zip.kiva.org/loans/16281/i/e3fk and https://zip.kiva.org/loans/16247/i/n7cr. Thank you so much!
Gratitude! Today finds us on solid ground with the help of the Wellspring Cooperative - a non-profit to build worker-owned cooperatives. In fact, our new workshop is nestled on the first floor of the old monkey-wrench manufacturing building where Wellspring’s Upholstery Cooperative provides us with a whole community of worker-owners.
Sometimes things do happen for a reason. The City grant for the Old Window Workshop to employ four women in the South End hit a “bad timing syndrome.” Too much to do. Not enough resources to do it. We made the hard decision to forego the grant.
Then, Jay Minkarah, CEO of Develop Springfield, stepped forward. He believed that keeping original windows on the beautiful art-deco building, the Innovation Center at 270 Bridge St., would employ Springfield women. Develop Springfield’s continued commitment has provided jobs and an opportunity to grow.
The best thing that has happened to the Old Window Workshop is the gift of talent and wisdom of Meraly Diaz. She is an entrepreneur with a long-term vision for the success of our coop. Our next post will introduce you all to Meraly:
Wellspring and the Old Window Workshop are raising $15,000 for two women to be apprentices as Window Restoration Specialists. Please check out our KIVA site and offer a small loan to both efforts. https://zip.kiva.org/loans/16281/i/e3fk and https://zip.kiva.org/loans/16247/i/n7cr. Thank you so much!