DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — What starts as raw materials inside a workshop at Macon Resources Inc. is turning into purpose, pride and products now lining the shelves of a local store.
Through one of Macon Resources Inc.’s adult services programs, individuals with disabilities are gaining hands-on job skills by creating custom signs, T-shirts, and bath and body products. All the items are now available for sale to the public.
Case Manager Amy Crose, who oversees supportive employment at MRI, works directly with participants to help them explore different work opportunities, from janitorial and shredding services to creative production. She said these opportunities go far beyond learning how to make a product.
“These opportunities are very important,” Crose said, explaining that the pride participants feel from working and seeing their items sold is unmatched. She added that the smiles alone show how meaningful the experience is.
One of those participants is Summer, who helps create sugar scrubs and T-shirts. She told WAND News the experience has given her confidence and helped her dream bigger.
“If it wasn’t for Amy, I wouldn’t be doing stuff like this,” Summer said, sharing that she hopes to one day start her own business. “I learned how to keep doing it and not put myself down … I had to learn to be myself."
Seeing customers purchase the products brings an overwhelming sense of joy.
“It makes us happy if they’re buying stuff that we made with our hands,” she said. “If they keep buying, we’ll keep making it.”
That same pride is echoed by Mike Carter, who creates custom signs using license plates and wood. Mike works closely with Crose to design and assemble each piece and said seeing his work displayed and sold is incredibly rewarding.
“It makes me happy. Very happy,” Mike said. “Without Amy, I wouldn’t know what to do.”
Many of the signs are best sellers, including dog and cat-themed designs and custom family signs. Mike said customers can even place special orders, making each piece personal and unique.
Crose said the booth gives participants something invaluable, and that is purpose.
“Knowing something sold and being able to tell them, ‘We can make more,’ is worth a million,” Crose said, adding that the program continues to grow as new ideas are explored.
Those products are now featured at KC Finds, a local retail and vendor marketplace. Store owner Carol Kesler said supporting MRI aligns perfectly with her mission of uplifting local makers.
“I love that we can have these guys in here,” Kesler said. “They make things, they bring them in, and it’s my passion to support local.”
Kessler said MRI products are available year-round inside the store’s vendor space, allowing shoppers to purchase handmade signs, shirts and bath products while directly supporting the creators behind them.
“They’re handmade. They’re made with love,” she said. “You can’t find these things anywhere else.”
For those interested in seeing the work firsthand, MRI-made signs and products can be found inside KC Finds in Decatur, where community support is helping transform creativity into confidence one purchase at a time.
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