The future of homeless people can be as uncertain as the question: Whose responsibility are they?
Government services are limited, social resources are stretched thin, and citizens are faced with panhandlers
who seek quick solutions.
Into this complex issue plunged former pastor and woodworker Rev. Duane L. Sich.
Sich’s ministry career gave him an insider’s view. He saw people wander into his church looking for a short-
term fix, but he was only able to offer prayer and a few dollars. Sich decided to tackle the bigger challenge and
find a more permanent solution, 13 years ago he started a woodworking ministry called Friends of the
Carpenter.
Those who have been cast aside by life’s
circumstances, and perhaps poor choices,
find their way to a building as big as a
cathedral – but this one is a warehouse
that shelters a full woodworking shop. The
building is called the Friendship Center and
although the visitors aren’t offered a
handout, they get a chance to be trusted.
Each day begins with a devotional. The
sharing of faith stories and praise songs
communicates the mission of Friends of
the Carpenter. Sich says it’s “a great way
to put God and God’s guidance right before
everyone who is in the Friendship Center.
And the vision and conversations continue
all day long.”
Those conversations hum along with power tools, scroll saws, and turning lathes, as visitors and volunteers
are taught to turn blocks of wood into gifts sold by the ministry.
“We have within us the desire and the ability to create. I see people getting engaged in the woodwork and
getting engaged in the activities here,” says Sich. “They really feel good about doing something that makes a
difference.”
It’s a casual atmosphere devoid of suits and ties, and it’s difficult to know who’s who.
“You probably really won’t know who is a volunteer and who is the person that’s coming to find some kind of
shelter for the day,” says Marlene Najdek, who volunteers three days a week.
Rectangle and fruit-shaped cutting boards are sold to support the ministry. Picture: Friends of the Carpenter.
Shop assistant Craig Cluff calls the center a place where people “can come together as a whole and work
together for the betterment of our community.”
Like the wood that is shaped and the rough edges sanded smooth, arrivals at the Friendship Center have a
similar experience. Participant and volunteer Tina Walker says the wood shop “gives people a place to go and
know it’s OK.”
Board president Brent Stahl loves the power tools and being able to create things, but what’s highest on his
priority list is seeing people “thrive and gain a sense of being worth loving again.”
Duane Sich welcomes all to the Vancouver-based nonprofit with the belief that people are artistic, capable and
“no one comes better than anyone else.” Then he proceeds to draw out the best in everyone the ministry
touches.
“What we really do is give the ability to do something that makes a difference for somebody else,” says Sich.
Friends of the Carpenter is supported by...
Many Faithful Friends, Families and Churches! We are Eternally Grateful! Thank you for your support!
Christ calls us to minister with all in
need of safe haven by being a caring
fellowship and providing a sense of
purpose through interaction with
people of faith.
Friends of the Carpenter is a ministry
of relationships whose mission is to
build positive and productive
relationships between homeless
persons with sincere, stable
volunteers from communities of faith.
The goal is to empower persons,
both those who are poor and those
who have means and the desire to
help, to find ways to build relational
bridges of trust, hope,
encouragement, accountability and
support. The desired result is for the
poor who sincerely wish and will
respect another chance, to improve
their stability, self-respect and
interdependency in a community of
integrity.
Our Location:
1600 W. 20th St.,
Vancouver, WA 98660
360-750-4752
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 65358,
Vancouver, WA 98665
2nd Chance Thrift Store:
www.2ndchancethriftstore.org
3414 A NE 52nd St.
Vancouver, WA
360-750-3867
Scroll Saw Rose from Diana Brown on Vimeo.
