Our outdoor furniture gives Skid Row residents a comfortable place to rest
Would Works has just completed a set of outdoor furniture for the Refresh Spot in Skid Row! We are so proud to have been part of this collaboration between many facets of LA city government and community-based organizations.
The Refresh Spot is a pop-up hygiene center in Skid Row where anyone can come to use free showers, toilets and laundry. Our couches, chairs and tables provide residents with comfortable and clean places to rest and relax while waiting for these services.
Thanks to Office 42!
The landscaping, site design and furniture was designed by Office 42, an architecture firm that is dedicated to working on sustainable housing solutions in Los Angeles. Many thanks to Office 42 for bringing Would Works into this inspiring project!
Thanks to Would Works Volunteers!
For this project, and for everything we do, Would Works relies on the the invaluable help of local woodworker volunteers such as Shayna Schlotfelt (below) who helped mill and machine all of the wood for this project. Volunteer woodworkers typically come through the woodworking educational programs at Allied Woodshop.
Thanks to Would Works Artisans!
Once the parts were cut by volunteers, Would Works artisans worked hard sanding and assembling the various parts into furniture at our workshop space at Allied Woodshop before ultimately installing the complete set at the Refresh Spot.
Artisan Denise hand sands the chairs so that all of the edges and ends are splinter free. 
Artisan Nathanie screws down plastic seats onto redwood frames. Playground plastic covers the redwood frames to provide an easy to wash surface which will also hold up well in an outdoor environment. 
Artisan Thomas assembles the behemoth cubby structure where people will store their valuables while using the Refresh Spot showers. 
Artisans E'dran and Thomas reinforce the chair joints with nuts and bolts during our on-site installation.
Many thanks to all of the organizations, artisans, volunteers, and workshop leaders who made this incredible project possible! 
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As we dive into a new year, it's inspiring to see our work with Angel City Lumber gaining recognition. Sarah Watlington recently penned a piece in Fine Woodworking, shining a spotlight on our collaboration and the impact it's having on our community.
Would Works to Receive $10,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts
A Look Into Our Transformative 2023
Winding down this year, we express deep gratitude for your support and engagement with Would Works. 2023 began expansively: WW Community Builders Program Artisans and our team took a field trip to the snow-covered Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains north of the city. Shirley is the Artisan Lead at Would Works and was born and raised in LA. She’s now in her mid-60’s, yet she’s never been up to the Angeles Forest. Our city is surrounded by abundant landscapes, but many residents who face barriers to employment also lack access to experiences in nature. This forest visit reflects the growth trajectory of Would Works, which we illuminate here.
