LegacyWorks molds teens for the future through unique crafts

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Inside of the Legacy House, Adonia Hobson hones her craft.

“Would you like that hot or iced?” the teen asked a customer.

Hobson joined LegacyWorks CoffeeWorks team before her sophomore year of high school.

“I really wanted the job because I wanted to make money,” she said.

The nonprofit hires teens from underserved neighborhoods and places them into one of three social enterprises: coffee , garden , or pottery .

“Each of these franchises are a way for our kids to interact with the community in some way. They gain some type of experience in terms of career development and career exploration,” said Neiman Thompson, Director of Youth Development for LegacyWorks. “They also learn what it is to show up to work consistently, earn a paycheck.”

The skills go beyond painting a pot or crafting a cup of coffee.

“I also learned how to get out of my comfort zone and talk to people,” Hobson said. “It’s okay to be myself.”

“We’ve done like job resumes in the past and like financial literacy stuff. So, I feel like it really sets us up to, you know, be an adult,” said Hayden Clark, PotteryWorks Youth.

All franchises take their products into the community.

“Cash handling, customer service skills, and also just, you know, making amazing creations and taking creative ownership about the work that they do every day,” Thompson said.

Each interaction and sale raises the teen’s own stock.

“It’s really fulfilling because like everybody sees what you do, and it’s just like nice,” Clark said.

LegacyWorks is building potential and pride in its members. The group has community coffee days on the first Friday and third Thursday of each month. The group also sells products at Wichita’s Farm and Art Market on Saturdays.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.