Handicraft class brings out talents of homeless people

IC photo by Christine Young

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Folks who spend time at the Weigand Day Center use their talents making jewelry in a crafts class offered by Sister Maria Nguyen.

SALT LAKE CITY - Folks spending the day at the Catholic Community Services Weigand Day Center are using their talents to make crafts, thanks to Daughter of Charity Sister Maria Nguyen. "If they can make something beautiful, it will give them energy," she said.

Sr. Maria created the craft class for the homeless because she wanted them to have something to do besides watch television. She hopes making crafts will awaken their talents so they can make something they can sell or get a job. The class began six weeks ago and is held on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

"We agreed that we would begin each class with prayer to remember that God is with us," said Sr. Maria. "I had them also agree that they would make a commitment to show up every week. I provide the supplies based on what they say they want to do, and I them want to commit to making their projects."

Sr. Maria said when she organized the class, she wasn't sure how many would come. She didn't advertise, but depended on word of mouth. "Every week I have about five new people come to class. The first week, there were only three people and then each week there are more and more people who come."

Some people don't stick to their commitment and return every week, which is a little discouraging, said Sr. Maria. Most of them who do attend like to make jewelry. For those who like to sew, Sr. Maria also brings her sewing machine each week. "I know some of them already have skills and I want to develop them," she said. "I want to try to help them get a job. One woman has a two-year degree in art, and she can do a lot. These people just need a chance to use their skills.

"If they were more stable, I could help them make something they could sell and become more self-sufficient. We would just have to find the right market."

The nice thing about those in the class is they help and support each other, make friends with each other, and they tell their own stories, Sr. Maria said. She has told them what is shared in the class stays in the class. "I want them to feel comfortable."

She also wants the class to be more organized, but a problem is space and storage, although Jose Lazaro, director of Emergency Services, said he had an empty room in the administrative office that the class could use. The room also has a place for storage.

Among those who have attended the class is Ruby, who just moved here from St. Louis, Mo., where she sewed and worked at a flea market selling odds and ends. She is 55, and has been sewing for more than 13 years. She wants to get her own apartment and get her life back in order so she can buy her own sewing machine. "I feel so good because I'm content. I'm moving on," said Ruby, who just got out of a bad marriage. "I want to make something of my life."

Others who have attended are Lavern, who made a bracelet that spelled her daughter's name, Brianna. Mary, who said she loves arts and crafts but hasn't done them since the 1980s, made a bracelet.

Tim was proud he made a necklace and said, "I might as well be productive."