In the spring of 1969 I had the opportunity to help my dad set up a new workstation at Eastside Handicappers (later called Custom Industries) located in the Kirkland Presbyterian Church. We were moving in a blister pack machine used to package wax color chips for Pourett Candle Manufacturing. (This was a booming company at the time that manufactured and sold candle molds and supplies for a growing arts and crafts industry. Pourett recently went out of business according to Google…my how times do indeed change.)
I remember it seemed odd to set up such an industrial piece of equipment in a church multipurpose room where the existing looms and ceramic kilns looked so much more appropriate for this serene setting. This was really an example of the first transformation in our industry by moving from therapeutic arts and crafts to contracts with industry. The same transformation happened here at Morningside. At one time we had quite the cottage industry including a store in town selling items woven on our looms or fired in our kiln. In my office I still have a ceramic owl that we made given to me by Helen Carlson who thought I should have it soon after I started working at Morningside.
We’ve come a long way since 1969 and those days in the church basement filled with looms and kilns and packaging machines. But one thing hasn’t changed the future is still filled with promise – limitless in the possibilities and the reality the individuals with disabilities working and earning a living like anyone else.
CEO Viewpoint is published by Jim Larson, CEO Morningside
This space is intended to share my thoughts and update the community on issues concerning Morningside and its clients as well sharing inspirational employment stories.
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