The Artisans Program

A New Direction

2009-06-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of our new product and the youth who are producing them. Research has shown that the number one identifier of whether a young person will stay away from harmful activities such as drugs and gangs is how many times a week they eat a family meal around a dinner table. In order to encourage this behavior among families in the community, the Off The Block Artisans will be producing these dining sets and donating them to households in need.

Artisans with their work
(l to r) Jimmie, Chris, Vance, Reggie, Ty, and Alfonzo

The dining set.

2009-01-21T10:13:00.000-08:00

On November 8, 2008 the Artisans Program of Covenant House Washington was awarded a donation by the Builders' Ball. The Builders' Ball is an initiative of a host of local organizations involved in all aspects of the building trades whose number 1 mission is "To raise funds for local charities in the National Capital Area". We were incredibly thrilled to be acknowledged by such a great initiative and were even more thrilled when a few months later we were presented with the real check. After the actual Ball, the committee realized that they had far exceeded their initial contribution goals and rather than the $60,000 on the big cardboard check, we received a check for $84,000! This money will go a long way towards helping the program continue to serve our youth and move then further on the path towards a fulfilling and worthwhile career. Thanks again Builders' Ball!

New Class!

2008-08-05T07:14:00.000-07:00

Well we started a new class a few weeks ago and these guys are definitely a good group. This is the first class we've ever had with 8 students, and so far it has been great. A full shop is a happy shop!

above l to r: monte, mo, nate, emmanuel, jeff, mike, alfonzo, don, amir, and dequane.

nate, monte, mo, emmanuel, and mike hard at work sanding their clipboards.

learning how to crosscut.

alfonzo is having a good time.

Little Bobby Tables.

2008-06-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

The Artisans came back after graduation for a couple of hours to finish their tables. They turned out really well and I hope they get to enjoy them for years to come.

Kevin Lester: Walnut table and walnut veneer top

Kandy Durant: Mahogany table with birds' eye maple veneer top

Javon Edwards: Walnut table and birds' eye maple veneer top

Emmanuel Hair: Walnut table and walnut veneer top

Cohort 17 Graduates!

2008-06-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

On June 12, 2008, the 17th Cohort of the Covenant House Washington Artisans Program graduated. The ceremony was held in the cafetorium of the CHW Community Service Center and was attended by a good crowd of friends, family, and CHW staff. This crew will be missed and we look forward to seeing their successes in the coming years.

(L to R) - Judith Dobbins (CHW Executive Director), Jarvon Edwards, Emmanuel "E-Man" Hair, Larry Gold (Artisans Program Director), Kanestra "Kandy" Durant, Kevin "Kev-O" Lester, Cian Pridgen, Jeffrey Barninger (Artisans Shop Manager), Justin Couch (Artisans Training Staff).

Gifts and Awards

2008-06-02T07:59:00.000-07:00

As part of our curriculum, the Artisans make a line of small desk top items that are for sale. These boxes are perfect items to be given as gifts or awards at your next event or any occasion that you see fit. Each box can be engraved with logos and/or text of your choosing on the top and/or the inside of the lid. All boxes are made with a combination of two of the following hardwoods: maple, mahogany, walnut, and cherry. They are finished with polyurethane and wax to a lustrous shine.

If you are buying one or more boxes that are being engraved there is a one time setup fee of $50 and then a small per box fee for each side of the lid that is engraved. The per box fee differs with each box and is shown below. If you are interested in purchasing one box or twenty, please contact Jeffrey Barninger to check on our stock availability and begin the process towards your personalized piece. You can reach Jeffrey on the phone at (202) 610-6519 or email him at jbarninger [at] chdc [dot] org.

Click on the images to see a larger version.

Hope Box (The Hope Box is no longer in production, but there are 15 currently in stock. Once these are gone, they will no longer be available.)

The Hope Box is great for holding paper clips, loose change, and adding a small touch of class to your desk.
Dimensions: 3" long x 3" wide x 1 3/4" tall
Price per box: $27.95
Engraving fee per side: $2.00

Clipboard - Currently in Stock - 33

Our Clipboard is made from high quality 3/8" Baltic Birch plywood.
Dimensions: 9" wide x 14" long x 3/8" thick
Price per board: $34.95
Engraving fee per side: $5.00

Pencil Box - Currently in Stock - 15

The Pencil Box, as the name suggests, is a perfect pen and pencil case.
Dimensions: 3" wide x 8 1/2" long x 2" high
Price per box: $39.95
Engraving fee per side: $4.00

Wish Box - Currently in Stock - 8

The Wish Box has enough room for lots of small desk items.
Dimensions: 5 1/2" wide x 8 1/2" long x 2" high
Price per box: $74.95
Engraving fee per side: $7.00

Strong Box - Currently in Stock - 2

The Strong Box is our largest box. This is a really impressive, top quality box that has upper management written all over it.
Dimensions: 7" wide x 14" long x 3" high
Price per box: $249.95
Engraving fee per side: $11.00

Graduation

2008-05-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

On May 1, 2008 the graduation ceremony for the 17th cohort of the Artisans Program was held at the Covenant House Community Service Center. We had a large crowd supporting these fine young adults, and it was a day to remember. And even though their time with us is at an end, we will be continuing to support them as they start a new phase in their own lives. Congratulations to Cherrell, Justin, Shahlaurie, and Terence!

Back row (l to r): Jeffrey Barninger, Terence Sutton, Shahlaurie Taylor, Justin Couch, Larry Gold
Front row (l to r): Cherrell Tucker, Justin Johnson

Hello world!

2008-05-29T08:32:00.000-07:00

And welcome to the new blog of the Covenant House Washington Artisans Program.