Join Dwight's Path to a New Woodworking Career
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From self-taught craftsman to professional woodworker: Join me on my journey at the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute!
About Me
Hi, I'm Dwight. In recent years, I've found immense satisfaction in transforming raw wood into functional art. One of my proudest early projects was building my desk with my friend Bradley, which really ignited my desire to learn more.
I spent every single year from 1985-2022 in education, whether as a student or a teacher. Since retiring from teaching in December 2022, woodworking has become my passion for the next chapter of my life.
For the past 10 months, I have been employed at a local cabinet shop. This job has only fueled my desire to transform wood into pieces that my family and friends can cherish for years to come.
I have recently been accepted into the 40-week Furniture Making Diploma program at Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute in Adrian, Michigan. Completing this program will turn my passion for woodworking into a sustainable livelihood.
Why Am I Asking for Help?
Embarking on this immersive program requires a significant financial commitment. Alongside tuition and living expenses, I've also faced some recent unexpected costs. Your generous contributions will directly enable me to focus entirely on my studies and build a solid foundation for my woodworking career. Tuition, tools, and living costs for this program total more than I can cover alone—but the skills I’ll gain will support my family and community for decades.
Where Your Support Goes (Goal: $30,000)
- Tuition (balance after scholarships): $10,000 - Investing in expert instruction and a recognized diploma.
- Required Toolkit: $3,000 - Essential, high-quality hand planes, saws, and more for professional craftsmanship.
- Living Expenses (10 months): $8,000 - Covering rent and utilities in Adrian, MI, allowing full focus on the program.
- Food & Household (10 months): $3,000 - Ensuring basic needs are met during my intensive studies.
- Transportation & Moving Costs: $2,500 - Getting me and essential belongings to Adrian.
- Safety Supplies: $1,500 - Investing in necessary protective gear for a safe learning environment.
- Dog food and needs (10 months): $1,500 - Caring for my loyal companions, Remo and Camila, while I pursue this dream.
- GoFundMe fees: $500
(This goal will be updated and lowered in real time if I receive any grants or scholarships.)
What You Make Possible
- Enables full-time immersion in the transformative 10-month program.
- Empowers community give-back: I envision creating handcrafted wooden items for local charity auctions and offering mentorship to high-school students interested in exploring the art and craft of woodworking, sharing the skills I'll gain.
- Fosters a sustainable small business specializing in affordable, high-quality handmade furniture and offering hands-on woodworking workshops to share the joy of creating with wood in my community.
Why This and Why Now?
The unexpected loss of my beloved brother Daniel in August 2020 profoundly impacted me, underscoring the preciousness of time and the importance of pursuing one's passions. Daniel, in his own way, always encouraged creativity and living authentically. While this journey into woodworking is deeply personal, I also dedicate it to his memory, a way to honor the unrealized potential he carried and to also honor the support of my parents, Dwight and Debbie, and my brother David.
Life has taught me that opportunities must be seized. Having been accepted into this highly competitive program now, the time is right to fully immerse myself in this intensive training and build the foundation for my future in woodworking. This is my moment to take action and transform a long-held dream into a tangible reality.
GRATITUDE
Whether you're able to contribute financially, share my story with your network, or simply send encouraging thoughts my way, your belief in me means the world. Every bit of support fuels my determination to make the most of this incredible opportunity.
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Organizer
Dwight Caddell
Organizer
Birmingham, AL