Students at Saint Andrew’s School are learning more than typical reading, writing and arithmetic. The school is available to students who live at Wears Valley Ranch because of a difficult family situation. Since 1992, the Ranch has served as a safe haven for kids who have an unstable home-life that is not created by the child.
The American Association of Woodturners (AAW) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They are dedicated to advancing the art and craft of woodturning worldwide. The mission of the AAW is to provide education, information, and organization to those interested in turning wood.
In 2018, the Smoky Mountain Woodturners Chapter (SMWTS) of the AAW applied for one of the Educational Opportunity Grants offered annually. In 2018, SMWTS identified the need at Wears Valley Ranch to replace two of their oldest mini-lathes and relayed that by application to AAW. SMWTS was awarded, on behalf of Wears Valley Ranch, $1,000 towards the cost of the new equipment. SMWTS made up the difference in the cost of the new lathes. This is the second time that the AAW has awarded funding to SMWTS on behalf of the Ranch. The first grant awarded provided the funds to start the program.
The Ranch Workshop program started in 2015. Twenty-seven students have benefited from the program since its inception. Some of those students have completed several years of the workshop program. Currently there are fourteen young men and women who are learning the craft. SMWTS meets monthly with students as volunteers to carry on this craft. Also, SMWTS hosts a “Day of Service” in January as 12 to 15 members provide maintenance or upgrades for the workshop.
The current workshop has been equipped with state of the art dust control, air filtration systems, LED lighting and other shop safety features. With the help of on-staff mentors, the facility is available to participating students in addition to the scheduled workshops.
“I enjoy the wood turning program because it is fun and I get to learn more things,” shares Toyquarius, age 12. “It has taught me to be patient because it takes awhile to make things. I like the instructors; they are nice and they help me a lot.” Toyquarius has been a student at the Ranch since August 2018. Woodturning classes are among his favorite activities.
Exposing students to a craft that can provide valuable skills for occupations in the future is important to these children. The opportunity to tap into their creativity is healing for many who have come from difficult situations. Students eagerly display their crafts for sale at the Ranch’s annual Artisan Craft Sale that takes place each spring. “Scripture has a lot to say about work ethics and God gifting people with various skills,” says Jim Wood, Executive Director of Wears Valley Ranch. “This program is one of many tools we use to make the gospel believable to children who need to experience the love of Christ.”
