Hanson MA: Jewelry business builds confidence, independence

Boston Globe columnist Beverly Beckham writes about a small jewelry business run by a nonprofit residential community in Hanson, Massachusetts that employs artisans with disabilities to create disability awareness jewelry.

Cheryl Bleakney, an employee of New England Village, came up with the plan to design “True Meaning Jewelry.” The organization donates a percentage of its sales to the causes the jewelry represents. The rest of its revenues are used to pay workers with disabilities, boosting their personal pride and independence.

“Last year at this time, we were making jewelry for another company,” said Bleakney … “And I thought, ‘Why can’t we make our own jewelry and do it for awareness? Who better to do this than these men and women? Why can’t we start our own little business?’”

The jewelry business has about 10 employees; Bleakney would like to expand to 20.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2009/05/24/an_exceptional_crew_of_jewelry_makers/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Beverly+Beckham+columns

http://www.newenglandvillage.org/truemeaningweb/truemeaningjewelry_home.html