Crafting New Beginnings: How AVSI-USA’s RFI Supports a Social Enterprise for Living With Convictions Residents

Living With Convictions has launched a new venture, empowering formerly incarcerated men to create and sell handcrafted goods. Made possible through support from AVSI-USA’s Restorative Freedom Initiative, it provides residents with meaningful work experience while discovering the dignity of creation.

The 40-watt laser passes quickly over the slate square, back and forth, back and forth, till the New York Encounter logo is clearly etched into the surface of the drink coaster.

“It cuts it right in there?” Brian asks.

I nod.

“Oh man,” he says, “that’s awesome.”

And indeed, it is. This laser is one of several pieces of equipment made possible by a grant from AVSI-USA. Our nonprofit, Living With Convictions, provides transitional housing to men starting over after prison and is a member of AVSI’s Restorative Freedom Initiative (RFI). Last autumn, RFI approached us about starting a new social enterprise for our residents, many of whom are older and face health issues that make traditional jobs hard to find. I sat down with our residents, and together, we drew up a plan for two Etsy stores that will offer items conceived, designed, or made by the men of St Kolbe House and St Michael House.

With funding from AVSI-USA’s Restorative Freedom Initiative, we purchased a laser for engraving, a sublimation printer, a heat press for t-shirts and hoodies, and a separate heat press for mugs and tumblers.

Next, we reached out to the organizers of the New York Encounter, a three-day cultural event held every February in Manhattan, and asked if we could produce some branded merchandise to offer at the event. They very kindly agreed and allowed us to use their logo, which we then–courtesy of the equipment made possible by AVSI-USA–placed on t-shirts, slate drink coasters, onesies for babies and toddlers, and canvas tote bags. The weekend was a tremendous success, granting our residents some production experience and a genuine sense of accomplishment.

AVSI-USA’s commitment to affirming human dignity has made this new venture possible. And through this, our residents are crafting items of beauty and meaning, and discovering the truth of St Maximilian Kolbe’s observation that “only love creates.”

Our first Etsy store, The 12 Stars Workshop, will open Easter week. We invite you to visit www.livingwithconvictions.org to sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date on launch information, as well as to follow us in our efforts to help build new lives.

See some of their amazing creations:

This effort is part of AVSI’s Restorative Freedom Initiative (RFI), which supports organizations helping returning citizens rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

Learn more about the Restorative Freedom Initiative