“Life’s a forge! Yes, and hammer and anvil, too. You’ll be roasted, smelted, and pounded, and you’ll scarce know what’s happening to you. But stand boldly to it! Metal’s worthless till it’s shaped and tempered. More labor than luck. Face the pounding, don’t fear the proving; and you’ll stand well against any hammer and anvil.”

Lloyd Alexander

Making Whole is an addiction recovery process built into the framework of a traditional apprenticeship. Men are taught the creative process–a method of problem solving that is practical, relatable, tangible, scientific, and spiritual. 

Making Whole actualizes a simple premise: the mentor/student relationship overpowers the ego barriers of addiction. When trust is established, the apprentice can begin building studio-quality objects while rebuilding himself. The work provides a perfect metaphor for sustainable recovery and a successful life. 

In short, Making Whole embodies the two things that are indispensable for someone new to recovery:  intimacy and direction. This work in this community provides the foundation of recovery: learning to do the simple things well and consistently.

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We make things.

Beautiful things. Challenging things. Useful things. We make things out of wood, metal, concrete, leather, and any other material we fancy. We make these things in a world-class studio, under the guidance of masters of craft. As we make things, we learn the steps to making a whole life.

We make questions rewarding and answers attainable. We teach by asking and we model the process by searching together to discover how we learn. When asked by a news crew what he had received from the program, one apprentice explained, “I’ve learned how to learn.” 

Making Whole teaches apprentices how to build furniture, because this provides a framework to learn how to solve complex problems. They learn that the same process helps solve the complex problems in their own lives. Men that commit to the process learn and become whole.

We make food.

Every day we are in the studio, we prepare a family style meal and eat together. We love sharing that meal with the people of the world, and we would love to share that meal with you. At 12:30, every weekday, a meal is waiting here for you, all you have to show up with is an appetite.

Let us help you find what you are looking for

Would you like to find out more about becoming an apprentice? Find out more.

Are you a family member or a referring professional? Find out more

Would you like to find out more about the furniture we create, or commission a piece of your own? Find out more

Are you a maker that is interested in collaborating in some capacity? Find out more

Would you like to tour the studio, or join us for lunch? Find out more

Want to read a story? Here’s a curious one

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