Make Piece Peace, Inc

Make Piece is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and social enterprise operating a laboratory business. As a result of Make Piece’s classification as a 509(a)(2) charity, the laboratory business is a key component of its tax exempt purpose. Make Piece was founded in 2001 by Maureen Ward, a Washington, DC attorney, to model living wage projects. Its target participants are low-income adults and teens in the DC region who are unemployed or underemployed as a result of being disabled, lacking in skills, moving from welfare to work, or otherwise economically disadvantaged or at risk. Make Piece offers a three-part core program and partners with a variety of respected community organizations to obtain supportive wrap-around social services for clients. Participants are taught a marketable skill – initially, creative jewelry-making using high quality components; entrepreneurship basics that will help them earn income from their new skills or other business endeavors; and financial literacy, through which they increase their financial and life skills and, when matching funds are available, participate in Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). Make Piece focuses on making a lasting change in individuals’ lives. Thus, it offers its core curriculum 2 to 3 times a year, devoting remaining efforts to building sustainable markets for the participants’ products through an online store (makepiece.org), a full schedule of parties, shows, and festivals, and targeted wholesales. Make Piece’s apprenticeship program/ laboratory business supports participants on a path to financial security with heightened self-worth and self-confidence, as well as the know-how to be successful. Make Piece provides similar services to teens and pre-teens by agreement with other organizations. Its outreach services include stand-alone financial literacy training, teaching teens business concepts through jewelry or other craft projects, and jewelry as therapeutic enrichment.