What do Taylor Swift, little words, vocational training and summer camp have in common? At first glance, not a whole lot, but, for Avodah, Keshet’s vocational program at JCC Camp Chi, they form the heart of a summer microbusiness involving friendship bracelets.
For decades, summer campers have lined their arms with bracelets made of string, beads or even fishing swivels. (Remember those?) Friendship bracelets are a symbol of camaraderie and community. It’s not that different than the Swiftie craze of exchanging handmade bracelets at concerts to memorialize the moment and show connection. At the Little Words Project, people are encouraged to wear and share bracelets with uplifting words to inspire and support one another. Both trends emphasize how the power of simple, heartfelt gestures can create meaningful bonds, foster a sense of community and highlight acts of kindness.
With all of this in the background, Avodah began making bracelets for staff in Summer 2023. Staff completed an order form where they provided their favorite colors and a special word to go on their bracelet. Avodah team members then got to work on making the beaded bracelet to fill that order, which they would deliver to the staff member when completed. Avodah bracelets were so popular that they couldn’t keep up with orders ultimately making over 70 bracelets.
At Camp Chi this summer, the team members brought back their bracelet project for second session. They upgraded their business by placing the order form online and connecting it to QR Codes in areas around camp where staff gather. The group also standardized their bracelet sizing. Together, they made 114 bracelets in just 2.5 weeks!
While making bracelets is fun, it is also a great for practicing vocational, reading, functional math and communication skills. Some team members sort the beads by color while others sort the letter beads to make the words. Elastic needs to be cut to size, knots tied and bracelets strung, which all engage fine motor skills. Customer service and communication comes into play when delivering the finished products to staff members. For one special project this summer, Avodah was asked to make 100 blue and white bracelets with the word “Israel,” at a time when they were running out of white beads. The team had to work together to make the limited white beads last for all of the bracelets.
Avodah’s bracelets are free, but the process follows the intention of a microbusiness, an initiative designed to empower people through entrepreneurship and self-employment. These enterprises typically are tailored to the unique skills, interests and capabilities of the people involved. By using a business model, people can contribute to their communities, enhance their self-esteem and gain valuable skills.
There are already plans for next steps for the bracelet business, including, possibly, taking on an investor and upgrading the quality of beads.
