Detroit High Schoolers Build Furniture and Career Skills Through Atlantic Impact Program

High school students in Detroit are learning carpentry, design, and problem-solving through a hands-on furniture-building program with Atlantic Impact. The apprentices make pieces from scratch, developing skills that can lead to careers outside traditional college paths.

Five apprentices work in the program. They craft items that take days or weeks to finish. Many pieces show Michigan pride. Each creation is unique. Students perfect every detail through cutting, sanding, and staining.

"This has opened up the door for them to see that there is a career for them, not everyone is going to go to college," said Nino Tanzini, lead instructor for Atlantic Impact, according to ClickOnDetroit.

The program also teaches entrepreneurship, preparing apprentices to sell their creations to the local community while learning how to communicate with potential customers and build business connections.

"Building your communications with people, you build bonds with people, some of these people that buy stuff might come back or have recommendations on us building something for them," said Ashley Sigala, a Hope of Detroit graduate, as per Click On Detroit.

Tanzini continued, saying that watching students finish their work brings rewards for both teacher and learner. "You see that little thing click in their head, 'Man, I really did this, someone really cares about what I did,' so it's a nice reward from my side to be able to say I was a part of that," Tanzini said.

The young creators also enjoy the process. Sigala described the emotional connection to the work.

"There's so many emotions. I feel happy. I remember when it was just plain wood," Sigala said, as reported by Click On Detroit.

The apprentices are ready to take on their next adventure after finishing the program. More information about Atlantic Impact is available on the organization's official website.