In 1994, Jimmy Pierce mentored a local teenager in woodworking skills out of his home garage. This tiny operation gradually grew into Kids Making It, a successful youth program in more than 6,000 square feet of space, featuring a professional woodworking shop, apprenticeship workspace, art room and retail shop. 

Based in Wilmington, NC, this non-profit program introduces kids to carpentry and woodworking through afterschool programs and summer jobs. As they prepare to graduate from high school, participants are offered connections with area contractors for apprenticeships and guidance on continuing education programs at the local community college.

“What we do here at Kids Making It,” explains Pierce, “is work with kids and help them to succeed in life through woodworking, hands-on training and vocational skills.” 

Besides having a positive impact on the lives of the 3,000 kids who have participated in their programs — all of whom have gone on to graduate from high school — Kids Making It is helping to address the critical shortage of skilled labor facing the kitchen and bath industry in particular and remodeling and construction in general.

Kids Making It relies heavily on help from enthusiastic volunteers, many of whom are employed in the industries targeted by the non-profit’s programs. One such volunteer is NKBA member Morgan Chiarelly of Kesseböhmer USA, who appreciates the opportunity to support both her local community and the future of her profession

“Our industry is constantly looking for installers and dedicated woodworkers,” she says. “Woodworking can be so rewarding and lucrative, and the young individuals in the program have tremendous potential, skill, and dedication. With a little bit of guidance, they — and their peers — can help bridge the skilled-labor gap in our industry.”