Margaret Alexander left the corporate world and wanted to reach out to others. She says she found the perfect fit at the Paperworks Studio.
By Roxanne Werly
Thursday, December 04, 2008 at 4:17 p.m.
A Grand Traverse County woman is helping move an important program into a new phase of development, a phase that could help even more challenged young adults gain independence. Margaret Alexander left the corporate world and wanted to reach out to others, she says she found the perfect fit at the Paperworks Studio. "I really wanted to do something where my past sales experience and business experience might be utilized in a way that I could actually help in some way."
When Alexander decided she wanted to step out of the rat race and into a more meaningful, community minded, career, she says it didn't take long for fate to step in. "It just came in at the right time and the right place for the right person."
Paperworks studio is a job employment opportunity for people with special needs. Job skills are reinforced by young adults making paper and greeting cards. Right now the program helps people from the age of sixteen to twenty six but it is entering a new phase of growth. Now run by Goodwill Industries, a five thousand square foot building is being renovated. When the new digs are complete in January, Paperworks Studio will offer help to challenged people of all age groups.
After six months on the job, Alexander says helping the employees and the community is her dream come true. "I pinch myself everyday. I get instant feed back from a group of individuals who are very enthusiastic about what they are doing and what they are creating," Explains Alexander. "I get to work with a lot of intelligent people who have a background in business, who want this program to grow, business owners in the community, so I am inspired by that. I get so much more from this than I can possibly ever give to this program."
When asked what she'd say to others wanting to find a new career, Alexander says it's simple ... Make the decision and network. "I think so often what happens is people don't cross that threshold of finding out what's out there. So I really encourage people, women in particular, to get out there and see what's available."
The employees at Paperworks Studio are currently working on Christmas cards. They've sold more than eight thousand so far this holiday season. They also make wedding announcements and cards for other special events. For more information click on the link provided below.
www.PaperworksStudio.com
