Guy Ciarrocchi: Making smiles, making a difference

Author’s note: another in an occasional series, featuring “good news” — people, organizations and activities that make a positive difference.

Have you ever visited a business and left with a smile? Ever volunteered for a day and felt as though you’ve gotten back more than you’ve given? Ever donated your time or treasure to a non-profit and were 100 percent certain that it was worthwhile?

If you’ve ever visited Handi-Crafters in Thorndale, you know that the answer is likely “yes,” to all three questions.

Since 1961, the non-profit Handi-Crafters — now, HC Opportunity Center (HCOC) — has been offering opportunities for adults with disabilities to work, contribute, succeed, make friends, and some even earn positions with other companies like Wawa.

Said one of their employees: “It gives me a sense of purpose. I am proud of my job.”

Every day, up to 200 individuals with disabilities arrive from across the greater Philadelphia area to come to work — assembling and packing products for companies we know like Herr’s, Victory Brewing, Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty, and CTDI. Through corporate partnerships like these, the HCOC is a business, providing services and offering opportunities for individuals who might not otherwise be given the chance to work, to contribute, to succeed. At HCOC, they gain that and all that work brings, from coffee breaks to sharing stories about work, life at home, or the Eagles Super Bowl victory.

Under the leadership of executive director, April Ennis-Pierson and her staff of 80, they train and supervise those who come to work at HCOC and continue to look for additional business partners. They will tell you that they get more back than they give — they learn more about life than they teach.

The testimonials from the employees and their family tell the story best. “Peter’s favorite job is repacking chips, he loves seeing all the flavors from Herr’s and being part of their work.” Ray told the staff: “I really like the variety of work, each day is different and fun — from simple to complex jobs. I enjoy the variety.”

Each Tuesday, they hold an open house where you’re welcome to tour and learn — smiles guaranteed. And if you or your work colleagues want to volunteer for a day, working alongside the employees — helping with assembling, packaging and preparing items to ship, just contact them and you’re always welcome.

For many individuals with disabilities, specialized education eventually ends around age 22. For those willing and able to work, HCOC welcomes them as employees. For those whose disabilities may not allow them to work — or for those who have have retired from the HCOC — there is now the addition of their Adult Daily Living Center (ADLC). Employees of the HCOC and guests of the ADLC are both very much welcome.

April calls it a “village of support.”

My wife is one of seven children. So, I’m blessed with six brothers and sisters-in-law — especially number seven, David.  A man with more nicknames than anyone I know — Big Wave Dave and Bossman are his favorites, David was born with Down Syndrome. Being from Northeast Philly, David has never been to the HCOC in Thorndale, although he has participated in various similar programs, work experiences and activities.

Many, many years ago, when David was a student at Our Lady of Confidence, the students put on a full-production play at St. Joseph’s University, “Welcome to Holland.” The narrator explained that most of us imagine — if you’re blessed and learn that you’re going to have a child, that your life with them will be like your fantasy trip to Paris, Tokyo or Rome. 

Yet, you board life’s airplane and then you land in Holland. Your child has special needs. At first you’re taken aback because it’s not what you expected and you’re not prepared. Then, maybe you’re disappointed, even angry: you wanted Paris!

And then, with some help, some blessings and some experience, you realize that Holland is  great, too. It has its own charm; its own adventures and its own hidden treasures. Its own blessings.

April and her team who work at HCOC know this in their hearts, and their heads. The 200 people who come to work at the HCOC each day bring a bit of Holland with them to work — and take some home, too. Individually and collectively, HCOC is both a business and an opportunity center. They work and have deadlines and quotas — and they bring value in every sense.

When you go to visit and spend a day, you are glad you found their little piece of Holland.

You do leave with a smile. You do get back ten times what you give as a volunteer and you are 100 percent sure that your gift of time or treasure is supporting something meaningful, worthwhile, and impactful.

Editor’s note: This article was updated to correct a date.

Guy Ciarrocchi is a Senior Fellow at the Commonwealth Foundation. He writes for Broad + Liberty and RealClear Pennsylvania. And, most of all, he’s David’s brother-in-law. Follow Guy at @PaSuburbsGuy.