Elpis Enterprises would like to welcome you to our open house next Saturday, December 14. Here, you’ll be able to see all of our facilities, including our wood workshop, t-shirt printing, and textile workrooms.
“If you have never seen the Elpis shop, this is a great opportunity to see our work with young people in the community,” said Elpis Executive Director Paul Ramsour. “We have invited some friends and customers of Elpis to participate in the craft fair and you can support our work by shopping in the Elpis production areas.”
One business partner and customer of Elpis attending the open house is Sunset Dance Art, owned and operated by Lori Radecki. Radecki has known Ramsour and his wife Nancy for over 15 years and was introduced quickly to Elpis after their first few meetings.
“My husband and I were very interested in it and once we learned about it we have been giving some support in one way or another because we believe in the mission wholeheartedly,” said Radecki. “A nice little benefit of finding out about Elpis is that I’m an artist and I’ve been able to use Elpis for a few things. It’s just been a really nice partnership in that way too, in friendship and helping me with my art in different ways than I thought it would have.”
Radecki has partnered with Elpis over the years to help her produce her art, from frames made by woodworking interns to textile work. The partnership has also allowed Radecki to see closely how Elpis interns develop not only their professional skills but also their interpersonal and life skills.
“It’s just really nice to put a face and a story to what Elpis is actually doing and see how it really is impacting these kids’ lives. I just have to say Paul is just so good with all of them. It’s really fun to see him interacting with all the kids they have working there.”
For those who will be at Elpis’s offices for the first time during this open house, Radecki shares what she hopes for them to see and learn more about the organization while they attend.
“It is a really nice hands-on experience because they can come and see what they actually make and how they’ve grown. It just gives more chances for these kids to learn new skills and I think the Elpis open house and people coming to it will see the excitement in the people learning these skills and in the people that work there. I think it’s really just an uplifting organization and I think they’ll feel that when they walk in.
Radecki will have her art, handcrafted ornaments, newly made fridge magnets, and many other items for sale at the open house. We hope to see you at our open house on December 14 so you can not only meet our business partners like Radecki but also see what our interns have been up to and our plans to keep growing in 2025.
