Giving Tree Want Ad

The Archdiocesan Housing Authority is looking for a new agency sponsor for its program, The Giving Tree.
The Giving Tree is a social enterprise where volunteers work together to make wooden toys. The toys are sold at the Giving Tree’s retail shop or are given away to children’s service organizations. The Giving Tree provides a warm and welcoming workspace for seniors, homeless and formerly homeless individuals, youth and adults who wish to build employment skills or meet social service requirements. The Giving Tree also helps bridge gaps for individuals, bringing order into disorganized lives through common goals and the common language of toy making.
The Giving Tree wood shop was opened in 1989 to help restore meaning and dignity into the lives of the residents of The Westlake, a service-enriched housing facility for formerly homeless men age 55 and over. Since then we have opened our doors to the greater community.
Currently, workers include residents of The Westlake, individuals fulfilling voluntary community service and food stamp requirements, and those who wish to foster their own talents or learn new skills. The Giving Tree volunteers collaborate with Mainstay and Work Opportunity, employment training programs for adults with disabilities, as well as with DESC Employment Services Program where adults are learning valuable employment and life skills.
The Giving Tree’s products provide a source of earned income. Expenses include funds necessary to pay for the one part-time staff member, insurance, rent, phone & the minimal materials needed for the shop (most supplies are donated). The program has historically been able to obtain grants and individual donations.
AHA is looking to give the program to another agency or organization that could keep the long term, skilled volunteers in the shop, and stay proximate to its mission of producing wooden toys and handcrafts for sale.
It’s a beautiful program with a lot of heart. It is not within AHA’s core mission to continue sponsoring a social enterprise. We very much hope to find another sponsor, rather than shut it down. For more information about the program, please contact Clare Cronkleton at the Giving Tree, at 340-1575, or Flo Beaumon with the Archdiocesan Housing Authority (at the Aloha Inn), at 283-6070, ext. 309.
The program’s webpage can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/thegivingtree

Political Animals

These are the Political Animals.

This one is for the DNC.

This one is for the GOP .
And these are just plain political dogs .
If you would like to learn how to take these home, call us at the shop 206-340-1575.

Harley parts

A work in progress in the window. The book is open to a photo of a 1937 Harley, the inspiration for this years' model.
A driver's view of the guage.

Detail of the seat and rack.

The finished product. Raffle tickets will be on sale August 1. Raffle will be held October 14th. Call the shop for more information 206-340-1575.

AB Ferry final assembly - how to apply transfers

Materials needed:

Transfers, stylus, scissors, masking tape, Ferry.

Final Assembly of Ferry part I

Seattle Free School

Last Saturday we had the debut of Seattle Free School Classes at the Giving Tree.


First class was a basket making class where we took 7 paper grocery bags and wove them into a nice garden basket.

It was a very fun day. We painted some baskets with waste paint from the Shop - This stuff was too gummy to do a toy any good.

A good time was had by all.

Volunteer Appreciation Day

Volunteers Appreciation Day
April 23, 2008 Earth day!

Encouragement to all the volunteers
From: Malti
Number Rhyme

One…..and…..Two
Coming…Here…Best to Do

Three….and…..Four
We are the…Giving Tree’s volunteer core

Five…..and….. Six
We are old…. but oh! Not sick

Seven….and…..Eight

Let us build….Giving Tree’s strength

Nine……and…..Ten
Because of efforts……Happiness we Gain.

All The Best Wishes For All Of You!