Masterworks of Minneapolis (specifically Hidden Treasures Thrift Store)
About Us
Masterworks of Minneapolis (est. 1992) is opening up a non-profit thrift store called Hidden Treasures Thrift Store in St. Anthony, MN in the Spring of 2008. Masterworks of Minneapolis is a non-profit that seeks to accomplish our mission by offering employment, job training, counseling, encouragement, discipleship, and mentoring for individuals with significant barriers to employment. We minister mostly to ex-offenders and those in recovery from chemical addiction. We currently offer employment in the following areas: packaging, assembly, auto repair, and construction. Hidden Treasures Thrift Store is a new endeavor for Masterworks in that it will provide an opportunity for men and women to work in a retail store environment. Additionally, the profits from Hidden Treasures Thrift Store will be divided up to support international causes (AIDS orphanage, Environmental welfare in Kenya, and anti-trafficking measures) and the local Masterworks of Minneapolis work.
Why We Need a New Website
1) Coordinate the hiring, training, and staffing issues that approximately 75 people will access to volunteer/work at Hidden Treasures. Becoming a volunteer requires a lot of paperwork and our website could be a means for doing that electronically. Also, the schedule for the week/month could be posted and modified for the myriad of volunteers and Masterworks employees working in the store.
2) Drive customers to our store in St. Anthony (i.e. our website would be a good promotional channel)
3) Give information about donating used items. A key to our success will be receiving quality used goods that meet certain criteria and scheduling pick-ups of donations with our truck. We could have an on-line form for this.
4) Since some of our profits will be going to several ministries overseas, we would like our website to be an educational and interactive place for customers/donors/volunteers to learn about the work we are supporting globally.
When the judges choose which non-profits will be selected to participate in this year's F1 Challenge they will take into account testimonials from beneficiaries, donors, volunteers, board members and other
I found out about this organization over the Christmas break. I support their mission statement and the work they plan to do. I decided to take my children to volunteer over the Christmas break. I invited a friend and her family to come along as well. We had two adults and 8 children aged 9 - 17 years old. We helped to sort, clean, box, unbox, and anything in between as needed. The children were asking questions about the ministry and why they do this ministry. The children were able to gain positive relationship and knowledge through working together. And for some of them, this is the first opportunity to see how we can help other people's lives beyond our own little box. Since this day, my 9 year old daughter often asks me: "Mom, when can I go back to that place (Hidden Treasures) to help again? I want to work there." I told her you are too young to work there. But, my daughter said: "Mom, I just want to help people. I can sort thing. Remember, I was very good sorting that day. I am willing to help in anyway they need. I will give up watching my cartoons on Saturday mornings so I can go and help."
To find a ministry that provides a meaningful education to young generation is very important. We need to reach to the society and bring closer the gap of people's live no matter who and where they are. The action can be done either through recycling used goods locally or through the profits gained by selling the used goods. So the ministry can provide a direct impact to the people in the world.
In conclusion, In order for an organization to be more efficient in today's world, a well-designed website is an important tool. It can reach to people not only locally but internationally. It also provides the most energy saving method in comparison to other methods. I strongly endorse this ministry and ask your organization's support in helping Hidden Treasures what they are trying to do.
Sherri Chen Westra, volunteer
Hidden Treasures answers the call that our world needs today. Locally, they offer employment opportunities to those with barrers to employment and therefore effect not only one person, but the entire community. Instead of "giving someone a fish (i.e. money)" so they can eat a meal, they are working on "teaching people how to fish (i.e. work)" so they can feed their families for a lifetime. In addition, they are reaching out to the community at large, offering them affordable clothing and giving them the opportunity to impact the world beyond us. Through their plan to fund overseas organizations in need of financial help, individuals shopping with them will be multiplying their dollars spent beyond receiving good, recycled clothing to helping others normally beyond their reach. This combined local and global focus can help in breaking the old cycle of ongoing poverty by being an instrument of hope and light to the people benefitting from their success. While their initial direct influence might be small, the trickle down affect could be significant, as those benefitting from their services and funds will be able to have something new : HOPE! And hope is something you can't buy in a store or find in a box. But you can reach out a hand and say, "I'll come alongside you, and help you carry the load, because I HEAR you and I am ready to help." So, I encourage you to join them in fanning the flame of hope and reaching out a hand to those in need, by providing them with your expertise and services which will contribute to the success of the store!
Melanie Martz, volunteer & project manager
Masterworks/Hidden Treasures has meant the world to me as I've been a part of the ministry for the past 6 months. I have known about all the good work that Masterworks has done for approximately 10 years, but in the past few months as we've seen the dream of the thrift store realized, I am now more amazed than ever at what a blessing Masterworks is the community of Minneapolis and beyond. There are some very special people employed at Masterworks who are committed to being grace and love-filled examples of what God created people to be like. I am honored to know the employees and volunteers at Masterworks and Hidden Treasures. Every Thursday all the employees and volunteers have lunch together and it is a great time to reflect on the changed lives that have come about because of the work Masterworks is doing. The thrift store is already bringing joy into many lives and hearts because of the new endeavor. A website for Hidden Treasures will greatly expand the work that has already begun.
Amy Sotis, Donor & a manager for Hidden Treasures
I think this non-profit is going to benefit many people, by providing jobs for some specific individuals, offering clothing and other goods to the needy community, giving volunteers an opportunity to love others, and being a support to the surrounding community. I support Hidden Treasures!.
Jessica Hanson, friend
WeI were really glad to see that this Thrift store was opening up because we would rather donate to a worthy cause than to have a garage sale for our unused items. We have already and plan to continue to give things we no longer need or use. It was an additional benefit to have a store open with the purpose to give jobs to those who have struggled with employment and need job skills. The extra money earned from the store is being earmarked for ministries such as an orphanage, environmental care and to help those getting out of the misery of human trafficking. This is a very positive endeavor and we know the additional help of a website would benefit a very worthy store. The name, "Hidden Treasures" is descriptive of not only the items someone may find but hopefully will show the employees that they have skills that were previously hidden as well. Thank you for your consideration.
Holli Rebney, donor
Helping others locally and globally while having an impact on our environment is what Hidden Treasures Thrift Store is all about. We have a vision to not just provide goods but to make an impact and provide hope for the future of those we come in contact with. From the small act of recycling used goods to the great impact that Mastework's has had on the lives of the men and women they've come in contact with is just part of who we are. Lives that were once hopeless and endless in their cycle of defeat, now offer hope and success within reach. Many of these people have experienced the joy and security of community in a life that had never known this before. By providing more jobs in our retail store we will be able to continue this life-changing trend.
To have the simple act of purchasing an item make a difference in the life of an orphaned child, or a woman/girl enslaved in the sex trafficking industry, or a family with no land to cultivate food, seems almost short of a miracle. We are serious about our tag line, "Find a Treasure Change a Life."
The ability to communicate this vision to people near and far is crucial not only in the success of our store but in the lives of the many people we aim to touch. To be provided with a website that could help with the day to day managerial tasks of the store, guide and direct our donors and customers, show up-to-date progress of our recipients and spread a passion for our vision would be priceless.
I hope you consider Hidden Treasures Thrift Store as a privileged nominee and join us in impacting our community both locally and globally.
Becky Rombach/Co-Manager
As a strong backer of this ministry venture, I think the impact it is having even in its embryonic stages is significant. But as I type this on my Macbook connected to the web via a wireless network, I am struck by the need for web-based access and resources in order to be successful in today's world. Hidden Treasures has significant potential through the web to make that impact even greater, on a local as well as global level. As they progress in their development, the expertise and skill of web designers will be the much needed component to give birth to this amazing ministry.
Jamey, volunteer
Masterworks has been fighting long and hard in the trenches of Urban Ministry, working with those having tremendous obstacles to employment, including drug and alcohol addictions, prison records and past family and personal issues. It is not always easy nor even enjoyable work at times, but our hope is not found in the “success” of one transformed life but in the Hope of the Transforming One. The men and women working at MasterWorks to impact the lives of the clients deserve huge accolades for their tireless work on behalf of the people they are serving! Thank you for the work that all of you are doing on behalf of and because of Christ. In as much as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto Christ.
Jeff Sprinkel, Donor, Board Member
There are so many needs in this world that a heart of compassion can easily become overwhelmed…..where do you start, what do you do?? You start with your neighbor, building relationships, meeting practical needs, listening, ….changing the world one life at a time, by God’s grace. Masterworks has been trying to do just this for over 15 years. By providing jobs, job training and personal encouragement, we have influenced hundreds of lives.
Three years ago, one of our current employees had just been released from prison, his wife was in treatment and their three children were in foster care. By providing work in a God centered, supportive environment, stability and hope gradually returned to this family. Today, the family is back together, he holds a responsible position in our organization, and we are encouraged to see much growth in their lives.
We are also very excited about our new Hidden Treasures Thrift Store venture. It will allow us to provide work for many more who are in need of stability and hope. Further, it will show our commitment to be good stewards of this earth, and it will allow us to forge some exciting partnerships with international organizations who are in the trenches, bringing rescue and hope to those who have been victimized by human trafficking and loving care to the children and families affected by the global AIDS crisis.
It is my privilege to serve at Masterworks/Hidden Treasures and I look forward to seeing what God will continue to do in the years to come!
Kurt Swanson - Exec. Dir.
We have donated used clothing and household goods to several organizations and are planning to concentrate giving our used items to the Hidden Treasures Thrift Store. What I appreciate about the Hidden Treasures Thrift Store is that it is in cooperation with MasterWorks, providing employment for the men and women who have been incarcerated. Along side the benefit to our local community, it has an international focus. There are many ways that we can volunteer to impact our neighborhoods and community, it is exciting to be a small part in positively influencing someone someplace in a country I will probably never see.
Masterworks of Minneapolis (specifically Hidden Treasures Thrift Store)
1121 S 7th St
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Our Mission
Masterworks of Minneapolis employs, trains, and counsels men and women who have significant barriers to employment such as convictions or substance abuse in their past. Masterwork's mission is to provide a faith-based place for men and women to be nurtured and trained in gainful employment while providing financial support for worthwhile causes throughout the world. Masterworks is starting up a new thrift store in St. Anthony, MN to raise funds for this ministry and international ministries. The thrift store is called Hidden Treasures and will be opening in Spring of 2008. The thrift store has 2 main ways that it will fulfill the mission of Masterworks: 1) The thrift store will be staffed by Masterworks candidates as well as volunteers. The Masterworks candidates will receive job training and a supportive place to re-enter the working world. Our volunteers will be a means of this support and training and having volunteers in the store will reduce overhead in order to financially support our international initiatives. 2) In addition to helping train local people in this retail store environment, the profits from Hidden Treasures will be designated to support AIDS orphans, environmental well-being in Kenya, and human trafficking opposition.
Masterworks of Minneapolis (specifically Hidden Treasures Thrift Store)
