After seven years a local non-profit says they may be forced to close their doors by the end of the month. ?sful Glassworks trains people with employment barriers to help them find long-term jobs, but now they need to raise $250,000 by the end of the month or they'll have to call it quits.
The non-profit teaches people manufacturing and production skills while recycling glass bottles into numerous products. The executive director says sales only cover about 65% of their budget, the rest comes from grants and fundraising. In the past, their small staff has been able to juggle the nonprofit's manufacturing, training, and fundraising obligations.
After years of swift growth, they say don't have the people to keep operations running and do the necessary fundraising. They are hoping to raise money to hire more people so they can do both.
"We have provided jobs training for over 300 people, 200 hundred of those we have found permanent jobs for," said Carlyn Blake the Executive Director for ?sful Glassworks. "We've recycled over 3,500 bottles, and I think we have done a lot of great work in the community and if that's all we get to do, then I think we can be proud of that," said Blake.
They say if they can't raise the money, they will look into merging with another job training program. But they aren't optimistic a partnership will work. To donate click here.
