After closing for Covid in March 2020, Would Works has just received a grant from the USC Social Enterprise Lab to relaunch a new outdoor program! We will kick off by building outdoor furniture for the new ReFresh Spot in Skid Row and various supportive housing sites throughout LA. We are thrilled to be able to again provide much needed employment and to furnish safe comfortable spaces for the unhoused community.
Our Workshop and store are still closed due to Covid-19 precautions, but some of our most popular products are still available this Holiday season through other impactful vendors.
Elizabeth
“I had a rough life growing up,” Elizabeth explains. She battled addiction for 20 years, did 4 prison terms and was arrested 63 times. But, she's grateful to the people who believed in her and gave her a second (and third) chance. Now housed and a decade into sobriety, Elizabeth came to Would Works to pay her rent and to find community.
Marella
In 2016 Marella lost her job, and when her husband fell ill, she stayed home to care for him. Ultimately, she lost her home and found herself living on the streets. Marella's Would Works goal is to pay her phone bill and buy winter clothes. Then she plans to buy a laptop and print resumes for job applications.
The opportunity to simply work hard for wages in order to afford the basic comforts of life is a great privilege that many of us in this country enjoy, and even take for granted. Would Works provides people who are homeless or living in poverty with the simple dignity of doing good work.
By providing work experience and resources to those who need it most, Would Works offers critical support to individuals experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles' Skid Row. But beyond that, Artisans build community and life skills in a space were they are treated with dignity and care.
Welcome Our New Program Director Michele Liu!
In addition to leading the relaunch of Would Works existing programs this Spring, Michele will be developing the new "Outdoor Workshop" model as we pivot our program to include the design and fabrication of outdoor furniture for public spaces around LA.
Where to Buy Would Works Products this Holiday Season
Our Workshop and store is still closed due to Covid-19 precautions, but some of our most popular products are still available this Holiday season through other impactful vendors. See links to where to buy here and continue to support Would Works this Holiday season.
Would Works Relaunches with Award from USC Social Enterprise Grant!
After closing for Covid in March 2020, Would Works has just received a grant from the USC Social Enterprise Lab to relaunch a new outdoor program! We will kick off by building outdoor furniture for the new ReFresh Spot in Skid Row and various supportive housing sites throughout LA.
Without a home in a pandemic: a Would Works Artisan shares her story in this podcast
The pandemic has been scary, disruptive, and challenging for everyone, but for the unhoused community it has been downright traumatizing. This episode The Uncertain Hour, a Marketplace podcast, explores the story of one of our outstanding Artisans as she navigates life in Skid Row during Covid.We rely on the generous support of our community partners
