Hope Houses Workshop, Inc

12/11/2023

Behold the gift of high expectations.

They were thirty something kids and a handful of teachers in rented space back then. Now, they’re closing in on three hundred with a wait list. It’s The Field School where the gift is high expectations, and results show TFS outperforming every other public school in the state of Illinois.

A diverse, classical, Christ-centered school on the west side of Chicago that reserves 50% of their seats for children at or below the poverty level.

Walk the halls with head of school Jeremy Mann at the link below.

Work on the larger building next door is underway and will provide room to almost double enrollment as well as provide a gymnasium, library, and auditorium serving students of both buildings.
Right now, substantial grant dollars to complete the second building are contingent on more donor dollars.

Do like investing in things that work? Contact the field school to learn how, or if you’re in Illinois you have until Dec 15 to use the Invest in Kids Scholarship (75%) tax credit program before it's cancelled by grumpy politicians.

Give the gift of high expectations this Holiday.

The Field School has a remarkable opportunity to make our permanent home on a beautiful, historic campus on the west side of Chicago. We invite you to join u...

08/04/2022

We're a team, have been for 25 official years coming up this fall.

By definition, members of teams have strengths in different places. Great teams understand each other's strengths and advance the game relying on differences, not similarities.

Our 'home team' is strong and still not without moments of weakness. Kim and I work at different things, and over the years have done some of our best individual work when part of the game calls on strength and expertise from the other.

She's allowed me to take chances I couldn't have otherwise, and sometimes I sub in when the play at her work calls for wordy or saw-dusty solutions.

It has been my observation our best plays as a couple, true home runs, have come when our combined efforts reflect outward toward others.

She's an amazing coach and speaker, and one of my favorite things as 'temporary assistant to the head coach' is helping shine light on her teammates. People in their element making big plays for the whole team. Yeah, I'm working on a better title.

What do you think? Finishing up a batch of these custom awards. Not perfect, but isn't it the thought that counts. Isn't it a moment in the light that fuels our fire or guides an important next step.

Let me know if custom awards are a thing I can help with, and God bless your team.

07/21/2022

Wrapping this school and their mission in love and walnut….frames that is.

The Field School graduated their first 8th grade class this year, and this fall are headed to a new campus. They purchased and are renovating a formerly shuttered CPS school facility in Austin and asked for help displaying artwork in 15 sleek and modern picture frames. That translates to cuts and clamps at the shop.

The school provides a classical rigorous Christian education within an enrollment model that mixes students from all income levels. They’ve found the special sauce combining curriculum, teacher-led instruction, faith, and healthy habits, and they are turning out tomorrows leaders.

It’s pure joy imaging how these frames will be used to inspire Chicago youth. What artwork is used to inspire youth in your neighborhood and schools?

Thinking about school alternatives or pouring into the creation of great new schools? Find more at thefieldschool.org

03/10/2022

We put things into the world hoping for the best. What’s best for a dollhouse?

In this case, it’s passing it along when the play slows down. This Merry House finished its useful life and was donated to The Bloom Closet. Wondering the same as me?

They say…”In The Bloom Closet, we fill their hands with free clothing, books, toys, school supplies, and more. And we fill their hearts with encouragement and love.” Bloom serves the needs of foster children, and how thoughtful these friends shared this Spring clean-out story.

Have an old dollhouse? Why not put it back into the world and hope for the best.

02/12/2022

Some of the most fun is helping people bring their gift ideas to life. I think it played out well here for JW.

Cribbage anyone?

Play hard friends! ❤️💨🔥

01/15/2022

Things are getting fishy around here.

Two things happened over the Holidays that meant so much. First, a friend commissioned my making a gift for his friend - a branded custom cribbage board. It stretched me for sure. It also reminded me of a father trying to teach an inattentive son to play one of his favorite games over 40 years ago.

Well, my buddy liked his board, and over the Holidays we sat long enough for my Dad to teach me and my daughters to play cribbage. What a treat.

Now, there is another group of long-time pals going on an ice fishing trip. These will be “chubby darter” cribbage boards when I’m through and my hope is someone else catches the cribbage bug, that these boards cause people to sit and connect, and this story keeps swimming into the future.

I guess we make custom cribbage boards now.

Friends, sit long. Connect. Play hard. Go fish.

01/06/2022

Sure, some things still need finishing around here.  A new year, though, is like a fresh piece of wood calling for a new shape, more purpose or different beauty.  For others it is a call to an empty canvass, moist clay waiting for soft hands, or story characters not yet set into motion.  This isn’t a message for artists though.  I’m talking about something essential to our good health - imagination.

I’m wondering what it is that sparks your imagination, and how are you planning to start a warm fire within this year.  What difference will you make.  How will you positively affect others.  How will you help yourself.  See, the last couple years have been filled with messages about what we can’t do because of what we didn’t know.  I’m afraid imagination has suffered because of this. 

What we know is imagination is something we’re all born with.  We know it needs exercise to grow, whether it happens upright at an easel, with coffee and a keyboard at sunrise, or on a walk in the woods with two sets of tracks in the fresh snow. 

Imagination is crucial because hope is the product – hope is a belief that we can realize what we can imagine.  Imagination is fuel for motion, for action and pleasure, and for a sense of self confidence.  Imagination doesn’t care much about what you don’t know.

Here’s the ask.  Be purposeful in exercising imagination this year.  A little bit each day doesn’t take much.  What do you see in a cloud?  Let’s make a picture.  I’ll start a story and you finish. 

Friends, remember what you want for your family, yourself and your community.  Park thoughts of what you don’t know and imagine the possibilities.

11/14/2021

It’s almost time for the Thanksgiving Festival with our friends at UI Health’s Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. This year it’s a tender, not tuff, 3D Turkey puzzle that need some imaginative decoration, and storybooks created by the wonderfully wordy Lurana Noorlag and artistically amusing Maggie Coburn.

Peace and Thanksgiving to the children and families of UI Health

11/02/2021

Young Life goes to kids, builds bridges of authentic friendship, and introduces them to Jesus Christ.  All I have to do is help the local team cut these paper ornaments for their Fall fundraising. 

Have you ever stepped out in faith hoping to help others step into their own? Consider helping your local YL program – like sunny days and blue sky, you can find them just about anywhere.

10/15/2021

Custom birch nightstand for a bohemian bedroom.

The last thing they see at night and the first in the morning; a cool contribution for a ‘return customer’.

Find the simple things friends, and do your very best.

10/01/2021

It’s a fantastic Friday! Maybe it’s the cool nights and warm days. Maybe it’s knowing there’s a burst of color behind the falling acorns. Fall is my favorite and so is squaring off with a creative challenge.

Incorporate project demolition material, collapsible because they should stack, and two end-to-end should seat six. I’ve got a thing for tables, and what can happen within and among those who sit together. A blessing more than a challenge from our friends at as they build on wonderful vision.

It’s your turn…why is today fantastic?

08/04/2021

Information may be at our fingertips, but a gathering like this brings together wisdom. Sixty years since this group graduated from high school. Wisdom is the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Something the internet can’t offer.

What a treat helping this group celebrate. I think all that’s missing is silver sparkles and loads of laughs and stories.

Enjoy Joyce Klungle Simmons