Coletta Collections provides meaningful gifts and meaningful jobs

Coletta Collections creates meaningful gifts which also provide meaningful ways for people with intellectual disabilities to materially contribute to our society and culture. Coletta Collections is a social enterprise that sells jewelry, accessories and home décor made by people with disabilities in the USA. 

The artisans with disabilities create lovely fused glass tableware, like their popular petal bowls, hand-woven silk and wool scarves, hand woven bags and hand-beaded jewelry. See and purchase their work at colettacollections.com.

Coletta Collections is a project of St. Coletta of Greater Washington, a nonsectarian nonprofit serving people with intellectual disabilities. One of the guideposts of the organization is the belief that people should spend their days in meaningful ways. That means not pretending to work, but actually doing something you are proud of and being paid for it.

Adults with disabilities want to work but it is very hard to find them employment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2016 only 17.9% of people with a disability are employed, as opposed to 65.3% for those without a disability. In response to this need, St Coletta of Greater Washington created Coletta Collections.

Participants try weaving, working with fused glass, beading and tie-dying to see if they have aptitude for any of these skills. If so, then more formal training begins. Most of the participants do not have the focus to work full-time and Coletta Collections can be flexible and let them work a few partial days a week. The jobs are centered around what they can do, not what they can't. Sharon Raimo, CEO of St. Coletta of Greater Washington, said, "People with disabilities should be included in activities based on their strengths, not on their weaknesses."

Selling their products mostly on-line, Coletta Collections sells to customers all over the country.  Each order is packed and shipped by people with disabilities, providing another real world opportunity. Each order comes with a thank you card from one of the artisans.

Business has been growing and because the artisans only make a limited number of each item, shoppers should shop early.

Visit Coletta Collections today to read about the artisans, see the full collection and find that special gift with meaning. www.colettacollections.com.

Follow us on Twitter @stcoletta

CONTACT: Rebecca Hill, 703-402-9136, [email protected]

SOURCE St. Coletta of Greater Washington

Related Links

http://colettacollections.com