Handi-Crafters runs one of the largest employment and support service programs in southeast Pennsylvania. Each year we help over 400 individuals to access rewarding opportunities that promote their independence at different life stages. Through meaningful work, independent living and retirement opportunities we empower individuals to realize their true potential and experience personal fulfillment
Our Mission
We provide meaningful work opportunities and housing counseling that empowers people with disabilities to live more independent, productive and fulfilling lives.
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Our Clients
Our clients include people who have barriers to competitive employment, and older adults with disabilities.
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Our caring staff provides a structured and personalized program of vocational evaluation, rehabilitation, vocational training, housing counseling, and job placement services
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Our Customers
Handi-Crafters partners with the businesses community to create job opportunities for people with disabilities and other employment barriers.
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Over 300 individuals perform a variety of hands-on tasks for a wide range of businesses in our workshops.
We contract with local businesses in our local community to provide flexible Mobile Workforces to meet their peak production demands.
And our employment specialists help individuals grow beyond Handi-Crafters and transition into jobs in the competitive workplace.
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Our Guiding Principles
Handi-Crafters is committed to the following Guiding Principles.
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- Choice – People have the right to choose how they will live their lives, where they will live in the community and with whom.
- Relationships – The relationships a person has with others must be treasured, nurtured and protected.
- Contribution – Everyone has the ability to contribute to their community in a meaningful way.
- Roles and Responsibilities – Individuals, as they take greater control over their lives and resources, assume greater responsibility for their decisions and actions.
- Control – People have the power to make decisions and truly control their lives.
- Dreams – All people have hopes and dreams about something in their lives.
- Dignity and Respect – All people have an inherent right to be treated with dignity and respect.
- Fiscal Conservatism – Making things happen does not always require money.
- Attitude – Nothing is impossible. Replace “No we can’t” with “How can we?”
Our History
Handi-Crafters was founded in 1961 by a group of parents to help their children who had developmental disabilities.
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They had left school without any work-related skills and seemed destined to be cut off from the opportunity of becoming employed.
Their parents refused to accept this and established the first workshop program in Chester County, Pennsylvania, providing a vocational rehabilitation program for six young adults.
Since we began, our mission has remained consistent. Our primary goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients by helping them overcome their obstacles to entering the workplace, so they can find their highest level of productive employment and financial independence.
Perhaps most important of all, their daily acceptance into a social and work environment gives them a high sense of self-esteem and a life with meaning and purpose.
To learn more about Hand-Crafters please contact us today. We invite you to come in and take a tour and learn more about our programs and benefits.