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| Habitat for Humanity of Colorado, in partnership with the Crowley County Correctional Facility (CCCF) in Olney Springs, Colorado, is producing and distributing kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. | |
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| The vocational wood shop offered at CCCF is set up to offer the offenders an education and training in basic woodworking and cabinet making. The offenders are instructed in the correct and safe use of professional tools to build furniture and cabinets. | |
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| The wood shop’s main focus is vocation. The offenders are given the opportunity for hands on skills, and a 25 week study course in basic woodworking and cabinetry. | |
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| CCCF works with non profit organizations including Habitat for Humanity to build low cost cabinetry. Upon completion of the basic woodworking and cabinetry course, offenders receive a certificate of accomplishment and have mastered the skills needed to gain useful employment in the carpentry, furniture and cabinet industry. | |
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| Habitat for Humanity affiliates provide “thank you” letters and pictures of the installed kitchens and bath vanities so that inmates may see their work installed. Inmates also receive certificates of appreciation from Habitat International to further strengthen their connection to Habitat’s ministry. | |
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Inmates from other prisons in Colorado have provided volunteer labor on Habitat sites in Pueblo, Denver, and Montrose. Colorado is the fourth state to develop a prison program. |
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Here are one inmate’s comments on his involvement in Habitat . . . “I have worked in the woodshop since I arrived at this facility in October of 98. It has always been a rewarding experience as my knowledge and skill in woodworking improved with every project. When Mr. Baylor first spoke to us about building cabinets for Habitat for Humanity I knew very little about what Habitat for Humanity was all about, but I was excited about learning how to build kitchen cabinets. It has been everything that I hoped it would be and more. For I have learned much and greatly improved my skill in woodworking. I have an occupation now that I can take to the outside that I did not have before. And as I have learned what Habitat for Humanity does for those that are not as fortunate as others, it’s just as rewarding knowing that I am a part of that. That even in here I can contribute something to help others. I’m sure that many others here in the woodshop feel the same way as I see the care that’s put into each cabinet built. How we all want our cabinets to be something we can be proud of as well as those receiving them. I have enjoyed the letters of thanks that we have received from the families that have received these homes and how much the cabinets are appreciated. I would also like to thank those from Habitat for Humanity for the pictures they have sent and the video that they made for us, so that we have been able to see the cabinets after they have been installed and share in the joy of the home owners So each day that I spend in the woodshop is not just a day wasted in prison, but a day to improve myself and help others at the same time. So in closing I would like Habitat for Humanity to know that they’re not only helping those on the outside, but they’re helping us on the inside. For it truly feels good to help others. And having an occupation on the outside could be the difference for many of us whether we make it out there or come back. Thank-you” Dale Heil |
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