Late Bloomer Crafts - Port Union, Newfoundland

The Sir William Ford Coaker Heritage Foundation Inc is currently sponsoring an older workers program for people between the ages of 55 and 65. This is a Pilot Project funded by Service Canada and administered through the Department of Human Resources and Employment. The participants involved are Shirley Pretty, Shirley Blackmore, Millie Feehan, Carol Mason, Erma Dalton, Ruby Abbott, Bride Sheppard, with Annette Bursey and Deanne Hiscock sharing the position of craft specialist.

This program is helping the participants learn to make traditional crafts, along with seminars on small business and cooperatives plus a number of other skills development seminars. They are currently learning to make quilts, afghans and hook mats; this is a project that most have not done before but are enjoying it immensely. Shirley Pretty says, "I can't wait to come to work in the morning to start working on my mat, I love it!" Traditional crafts are a part of the local culture. The Coaker Foundation is hoping that the participants will gain enough interest to begin their own small business or use it as a way to supplement their income. More information will follow on this website in the future as the project expands.

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