Tyrell “Pop” Brockington, custom work supervisor, demonstrates the lathe for Mia Kennedy.
such as building flowerboxes and raised
gardening beds for public-housing neighborhoods,
raised planter boxes with bench
seating for downtown Wilmington, and
bench seating for New Hanover County
Juvenile Day Treatment Center, among
others.
Paying It Forward
The organization has five full-time staff
members, a couple of part-timers and
half a dozen volunteers. “Everyone on
staff teaches in addition to their primary
job,” stresses Jeff Citrin, associate director.
Jeffrey N. Davies, a retired engineer
and accomplished woodturner, instructs
four days a week. “It’s great to come to
work and do what you enjoy doing most,”
Davies says.
Students who have gone through the
program also return to volunteer or mentor
whenever possible. Joseph Seltzer, who
was in the program for five years and is
now studying accounting at Cape Fear
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Community College, says he comes back
as often as he can. “Woodworking is fun
and therapeutic,” Seltzer adds. “I have
Asperger’s Syndrome and it calms my
mind — especially woodturning.”
Tyrell “Pop” Brockington, 24, started
in the program when he was 14. After
graduating from Hoggard High School,
he began working full time as KMI’s
custom work supervisor, which allowed
him to move out of public housing and
rent his own apartment. Today “Pop”
is a role model to younger kids in the
program. “KMI changed the direction of
my life and gave me the opportunity to
be somewhere I never thought I’d be,”
Brockington says.
Many students in the KMI program
have successfully transitioned to college or
the workforce. Two high school graduates
from the program are currently involved
in an apprenticeship with IKA-Works,
Inc. in Wilmington, working 40 hours a
week and continuing their education at
Cape Fear Community College. Another
Individuals and businesses that want to help KMI has several giving options. KMI accepts
legacy gifts, securities, cash and credit card gifts, and donations of equipment and professional expertise.
They are also a United Way partner, thus allowing workers to earmark KMI through workplace giving. For
more information about giving or volunteering, contact info@kidsmakingit.org or call 910.763.6001.