Located at the Penticton and District Society for Community Living (PDSCL) site at 180 Industrial Ave. a new business will be offering the unique art and handy work produced by its members.
“The Craft Shack is another new little enterprise selling specific items that were built by our clients in our arts and crafts programs,” said PDSCL executive director Tony Laing. “This is also just a way of bringing some more funds into the day program to help offset some of the costs that would not be covered under our service contracts.”
The not-for-profit organization works with a wide range of clientele and has been serving the community since 1958 with the goal of helping all citizens lead active and fulfilling lives.
Those utilizing the services are vulnerable persons and families with physical or developmental disabilities and/or economic disadvantages and are assisted through community-based day and residential supports. It also includes affordable housing, outreach services and education.
According to Laing, those goals are best achieved by sharing the gifts and skills of the individuals within the organization and the Craft Shack is just another avenue for that to happen.
“The people (making the crafts) really enjoy it and some of them are quite artistic and talented so we’ve got some nice stuff they’ll be selling,” said Laing. “In the wood shop we do a lot of contract for people in the community and so we employ a lot of people in jobs here at the PDSCL.”
Last year he estimated over $150,000 was paid to people in the organization’s employment opportunities.
“It all goes back into the programs in one way or another and probably flows back through some of the clients also,” he added.
Along with the Craft Shack, the PDSCL also runs a flea market during the day from Tuesday to Friday at the Industrial Avenue location.