IronBridgeWoodshop

The Iron Bridge Woodshop (IBW) is an extension of woodworking activities that naturally developed in the small basement shop of Robert and Leslie Littrell, the founders of Six Treasures Ministries. Six Treasures Ministries is a Lexington, Kentucky nonprofit established in 2009 that seeks to foster life-giving relationships with the homeless and poor. Over the years, many Lexington area homeless men have helped build cabinets, cutting boards, cheese trays, picture frames, key racks, table tops, and bookcases. Informal sales of cutting boards grew in 2015 and led to the creation of a broader, more structured program defined by regularly scheduled shop times staffed by volunteers.

During our weekly shop times, IBW creates opportunities for participants and volunteers to build mutually positive relationships in the context of creative, meaningful work. Overseen by trained IBW volunteers, volunteers and participants work together to produce handcrafted wood products. Once completed, products are marketed, primarily by word of mouth. Proceeds support the work of Six Treasures Ministries. Each shop time concludes with a family style meal that is shared together by the homeless men and other volunteers.