Those of you who were at Sign World this past weekend, got a feel for what Jess Caserta, Stephanie Yeager and SignTex are all about. In a nutshell, working with the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City, Jess and Stephanie have established SignTex as a vocational school for at-risk youths, teaching them the fundimentals of the sign business. These kids leave SignTex, ready for the working world with real-life signmaking and screen printing experience.
So here's the gig. Like most programs of their kind, there's never enough money and resources. Here's how each of us that enjoy the benefits of this wonderful trade, (financial, mental and spiritual) can help. If you're a signmaker, and you have equiptment that's still fully functional, but just never seems to get used anymore...offer it. Dan Antonelli already made a very generous offer on this board. I have a business that developes and hosts websites, so we're handling that, as well as providing them with copies of some clip-art disks I've designed. You get the idea.
If you're a representative for a manufacturer, try and get them a copy of your software program...some materials(substrates, vinyls, tapes, inks and paints, etc)...books.
Publishing a trade-related magazine? A subscription (or two) for the school would be nice. The same would apply to a complimentary residency to a website. (wink, wink, nudge-nudge)
The benefits are numerous. First and foremost, it's a good thing to do for these kids. What could be better than not only giving them a good start and a fighting chance? The industry benefits by having them properly trained when they START looking for a job. A secondary bi-product would be, that if they are trained with, and are used to using YOUR product, equipment or software...there's a fair chance they'll bring that enlightenment to the shop that eventually employs them, or perhaps the shop they own and operate.
It's a win-win situation.
AJ posted the address in an earlier post, but I'll post it again.
If several of us each help out in a small way...combined, it will become a big help.
Keep on keepin' on,
Brian Briskie
[ December 07, 2004, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: BrianTheBrush ]
Posted by Mark Smith (Member # 298) on :
Since a major part of having a successful sign business is pricing, I'm sending a copy of EstiMate to SignTex as a way for these kids to learn the "business" side of the business.
Thanks for posting this, Brian!
Posted by Alan Johnson (Member # 2513) on :
Amen Brian,
Posted by Bob Bond (Member # 26) on :
Okay Brian you talked us into it. We sent them a full set of AutoArt back issues to add to their library, a comp subscription plus a couple of extra gifts. Education is the key. Sorry to have missed you, AJ and everyone there in Atlantic City.
Posted by mark zilliox (Member # 3873) on :
bob bond ! haven't seen you since Cannonsburg or the 1st Walldog in Kentucky,can't recall which, you ARE my striping idol ! however, we crank out really really kuhl yard sale signs here in Southern Md. !
? is the signtex a non-profit. We have equipment that could be donated. I prefer to get the tax benefit,naturally. was @ signworld & thought what a great outlet for the kids with talent & ambition. let me know the poc ( point of contact) if it's a non-prof. please. Mark Z
Posted by Sara Bogue (Member # 3227) on :
Three cartons of TransferRite are on their way!
Posted by Alan Johnson (Member # 2513) on :
Hi Mark check the other post "Atlantic City Greeting cards " for non prfit info , we sure had fun .
Posted by mark zilliox (Member # 3873) on :
Alan, ok thanks
Posted by BrianTheBrush (Member # 1298) on :
Just bumping this post back up...
*Screen Printing Supplies *Substrates *Hand and Power Tools (everything from brushes to roto-zips) *The expendables (CD'S, Stabilos, Paper, Vinyl, Paint, Inks, etc.) *Programs *and hey, if it fits future travel plans..how about sharing your experience and skills...seminars, speaking engaements, etc.
Have a Cool Yule, Happy Holidays
Keep on keepin' on,
Brian
Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
From Tom McIltrot at SignCraft:
"The SignTex project sounds great, too. I'll send them a full set of all the available back issues of SC, a subscription, a hefty supply of recent issues to give to students, and a set of all the books we publish (including yours). (I'll drop Jess a note so they know where all this came from, and that you brought it to my attention."
