“This year our parish offered a day camp for about 70 of our Latino children that coincided with our Easter Mission.   We invited St. Joseph’s Kids Carpentry to help us pull them out of the electronic world and into a world of true creativity.  It seemed to work!  When I went to visit the children in our school gymnasium I was struck by how eagerly the boys were working on their projects - wooden ‘swords of the spirit.’  The enduring image I have from the camp is of the founder, Joseph Lichty, working carefully with one of our boys as he turned a hand held drill.  The boys name?  Jesús!  I felt for a moment that I was in Nazareth. A great program led with great faith!"       Fr. Joseph Williams, St. Stephen's Catholic Church

“Carpentry and the arts get lost in many schools today. This is a skill she will have for the rest of her life…Their Safety record is impeccable."                     Jody Ross, Proud Mother

“They gain a sense of responsibility using real tools and real saws within a solid Catholic environment. Can I sign up my children for life?               Bill Dill, Father of 4 Carpenters

Why do you like Kids’ Carpentry?  “Because you get your hands dirty!” Miles B., 7 Yr. Old

“I invented this project!”                                                 Jeff K., 10 Yr. Old, Stillwater

"There's one thing wrong with the class: it's only twice a month. We think it should be twice a week, or maybe every day!"                       Thomas D, 9 Yr. Old, St. Paul

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL ENDORSEMENTS

“I had the privilege of training Joe Lichty to be the director of Kids' Carpentry in Minnesota.  We spent two intense weeks training, working one-on-one together, building all the necessary projects, and reviewing all the procedures for keeping kids safe.  The two weeks concluded with Joe conducting his own Kids' Carpentry class, under the watchful supervision of the director, where the children were taught to build 1-2 projects, from start to finish.  His first solo Kids' Carpentry class was a success!  It was clear, from the onset, that Joe absolutely had a proclivity for working with kids. Through out his training Joe was professional when dealing with parents and administrators, courteous and caring when teaching children, and in my opinion a terrific representative of Kids' Carpentry."        Michael Glass,Founder, Kids’ Carpentry

"I've known Joe for about 8 1/2 years now.  He was my high school teacher and counselor at a school for at-risk teens, which is a huge testament to his patience, ability to work with a diverse group, and heart for helping others.  Joe is dedicated, faith-filled, has always been a loyal friend, and has a wonderful sense of humor and presence, making others feel at ease when they're around him. I'm excited to witness his work in St. Joseph's Kids Carpentry.  In talking with him, it's obvious that working with kids, teaching them valuable skills, and passing on the faith in the process has planted a spark of excitement in his heart."                                                                                    John Henderson, Former Student

"My oldest child is just leaving home during the mornings to start kindergarten, and I am in the middle of those nervous feelings about him being out of my or my wife's direct care for the first time.  However, in the interactions Joe has with five kids and with mine, I feel completely at ease having my children under his care - even with tools!   Brian Stalboerger,                                                                                Woodbury