meaningful work

Sorry for the blurry photo but I'm right in the middle of baking brownies with Nathaniel. I was opening my mail and my beautiful ceramic herb markers came from Amy at JustPotters on etsy! I hadn't paid close attention to what that was but it is part of a wonderful program in British Columbia, Canada called JUSTWORK which helps people who have physical disabilities, mental illness, addictions and might be homeless. In JUSTPOTTERS they are artists who benefit not only financially but creatively from each purchase. The card above says,

"I'm building confidence as I teach others how to make a certain piece.

I can be creative and gain an income.

There is a positive environment with a good support structure.

I'm getting better at what I'm doing.

This is helping me with more things than pottery. I'm not just waiting on pills to handle my depression.

The work itself is good and it is good to have work."

I suppose these are different quotes by people who lead and participate in this program. Other branches of the program are JUSTGARDEN, JUSTCATERING, and JUSTREPAIRS. I was so touched by the idea of this. I wondered if there was something similar in our area.

Back to brownie baking!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! (We commemorate the sinking of the Mayo on the Titanic on this day)