What We Do

Friends of the Carpenter is a non-profit, faith-based day facility that provides safety, structure and purpose for vulnerable members of our community.

Our doors are open to welcome everyone at 9:00 am and everyone in the facility takes the time to say hello and participate in our Daily Devotions from at 9:30am – 10:00am. Our Daily Devotions include songs, devotional messages from Local pastors and other spiritual leaders and prayer. We welcome speakers from a variety of faith-based churches and organizations.

Other services offered at the Friendship Center include, but not limited to planned activities, table talk discussions, as well as scheduled special event trips in our community. Some of our participants also come to Friends of the Carpenter for showers, haircuts, clothing needs and food. We partner with a variety of non-profit organizations that help support our vulnerable members in our community. Friendship Center hours are from 9:00am – 3:30pm Monday through Friday.

The woodworking provides a tangible activity, a way to contribute to the community in a real and meaningful way.  The wood products do provide some income for the ministry, but the sense of purpose and the relationships formed around that table are far more important.

People of all circumstances are accepted, honored and appreciated in our community, and are empowered to live life with dignity, hope and love.

Our History

Friends of the Carpenter began as a vision of a practical outreach of simple welcome and personal interaction between volunteers from the church and the poor. First Presbyterian Church, where Rev. Duane Sich served as Associate Pastor for 28 years, granted him a six-month sabbatical to do research and if the way be clear, establish this new ministry. The initial workspace began in the Sich’s home, using a spare bedroom as the FOC office and the 3rd bay of the garage and Duane’s tools as the original woodwork shop.

In 2004, Jack & Jane Artz made a major donation which allowed FOC to purchase the current Friendship Center consisting of 18,000 sq. ft., including a 5 room office complex, which was dedicated on May 2nd, 2004 and continues to be our home!

Our Team

Mike Hammond

Executive Director

Mike brings a diverse career background from faith-based organizational leadership to cross-cultural engagement to his role as executive director. His approach at Friends of the Carpenter is informed by his experience in content creation, leadership development, community engagement, product and brand development, public speaking, and the arts. He is passionate about using his expertise to help further the mission of Friends of the Carpenter and expand its influence and impact to the greater northwest region. Outside of his Friends of the Carpenter role, Mike enjoys being a foodie, woodworking, traveling, sports, and spending time with his family and friends.

Craig Cluff

Facilities Manager

Craig brings a wealth of experience to Friends of the Carpenter from his days with Fetzer Architectural-Woodworking, building new-era performing arts facilities and working with skilled builders, architectural builders, and engineers. It was also a season of life where he had a lot of proximity to marginalized community members, and he daily draws on that experience in his role with Friends of the Carpenter. Craig is a valuable asset to our team and is responsible for all things production and facilities. When not at Friends of the Carpenter, Craig enjoys woodworking and spending time with family and friends.

Mary Rose

Accounting Manager

After a long career in office administration and paralegal work, Mary joined Friends of the Carpenter in 2015. She brings valuable experience to Friends of the Carpenter's daily operations, helping us navigate everything from donation management to payroll operations. Her favorite parts of her role at Friends of the Carpenter are the versatility needed each day and seeing how Friends of the Carpenter plays a role in the interconnectedness of our community. Mary enjoys spending time with my family outside of work, especially her four grandchildren! She is also an avid Seahawks and Mariner fan and enjoys scrapbooking and knitting.

Stacy Price

Shop Assistant

Stacy has a background in customer relations and basic construction. Shaped by personal experiences, including a season of houselessness, Stacy brings a wealth of compassion and empathy to her role. Her journey of helping others and a willingness to pick up tools to help around the shop makes her a valuable part of the team. Whether working on projects or extending a listening ear, her dedication shines through. When not at work Stacy enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and pets. You'll often find her planting or brainstorming new ideas to bring to life.

Danielle Gain

Activities Coordinator

Danielle has had career roles in customer service, office administration, and hospitality, all of which contribute significantly to her role at Friends of the Carpenter. In addition to her career experience, Danielle has cultivated a deep sense of empathy and understanding through her experiences with addiction, which has been valuable in connecting with others. A skilled listener, quick learner, and friendly presence, Danielle fosters connections and drives collective success here at Friends of the Carpenter. Outside work, you can find her spending time with family and enjoying the Pacific Northwest coasts.

Duane Sich

Executive Director Emeritus

Duane is a Presbyterian Pastor and founding Executive Director of Friends of the Carpenter. He retired in 2014, and currently serves as Executive Director Emeritus. Originally from Nebraska, he married his high school sweetheart, Julie, in 1968 while attending the University of Nebraska. After earning his Master of Divinity from Dubuque Theological Seminary, he served as Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry at Vancouver's First Presbyterian Church starting in 1973. Duane spent 28 years at First Presbyterian Church before resigning in 1998 to establish Friends of the Carpenter. Duane is actively involved with the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County and First Presbyterian Church's "The Pastor's Posse." He enjoys woodworking and often leads morning devotions with his guitar. Duane and Julie are grateful for the opportunity to serve their community. They have two children: Ray and his wife Lynn, who are in Issaquah, WA, and Andy, who is in New York City.

Our Generous Donors

We rely on the generous grant support of our funder partners. To learn more about their foundation click on their name and you will be redirected to their website.

We rely on the generous financial and in-kind support of our community donors. To learn more about their organization click on their name and you will be redirected to their website.

Our Community Partners

We partner with these community organizations that align with Friends of the Carpenter's mission. To learn more about their organization click on their name and you will be redirected to their website.