Jeff Ward: Artisans at Beyond I Can might have the gift you need

MUNCIE, Ind. — Tucked in the shadow just south of Hobby Lobby is Beyond I Can, a dayservice program for people with special needs. The people who use the service are called "artisans," by the way, a term fitting of the artwork produced and available for the public to buy.

Nicole Fitzsimmons, program coordinator at Beyond I Can at 1714 Royale Drive, said Child Adult Resource Services (CARS) stepped in two years ago to keep Beyond I Can going when founder Nancy Barnett retired from the service she started in 2003. Barnett had founded a similar program in the mid-1990s called "I Can" for disabled students at Southside High School, according to Star Press coverage.

Beyond I Can has been at the Royale Drive location since 2016.

The day I was there, artisans were working on pottery projects that will eventually end up under the Christmas tree as gifts. The gift store, the first thing visitors see upon entering the building, is full of wares, all made by the artisans, for an upcoming Christmas open house taking place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 2.

Among the items for sale were colorful wreaths made from wooden clothespins, and holiday and seasonal themed "welcome signs" made from reclaimed wood. Cards and craft items were also for sale, each one lovingly and skillfully made. Look for gift baskets with a pot, candle warmer and scents to be among the gifts available.

Fitzsimmons said gifts range in price from a few dollars up to about $40, "depending on what you're looking for."

Gifts are great, but the real mission for Beyond I Can is teaching life skills to the 36 artisans. "We teach individuals skills they need to live on their own," Fitzsimmons said. "It teachers them a lot of different skills they don't lean other places."

It's a safe environment for people to do what they like to do, plus, they're encouraged to get involved in other activities. Some were scanning Pinterest online for other ideas to turn into craft projects.

There were plenty of smiles on the faces of staff and artisans. The environment was much like a family, albeit a very large one.

Some days, a therapy dog provided by the staff visits, and the artisans have the responsibility of taking care of a guinea pig.

Beyond I Can partners with Ball State University. Students in special education volunteer as staff, along with members of the community and organizations such as Muncie Time Bank.

Back to those crafts and cards the artisans make: They can always take donations of used greeting cards or other craft items, said Fitzsimmons. What they can't use will be donated to someone else who can.

Jeff Ward is a news columnist and opinion page editor for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5850 or jward@muncie.gannett.com