Soap Works

Soap Works

Story Options

Apr 17th, 1:31pm By Francisco Baiocchi

Think Financial Student Loans

At Soap Works, they understand that the only way to clean up a city’s problems is with lots of hard work, and of course, plenty of soap. Selling their hand-made creations since 2005, Soap Works operates in partnership with On The Job Ministries to provide mentoring and job-training skills to Buffalo teens. More than just a business, more than just a charity, Soap Works is leaving a footprint on Buffalo’s future by grooming the next generation for job-readiness. And with the dividends coming right back to the city, the smell of success has never been more fragrant.

The teenaged staff of Soap Works is drawn from Buffalo’s troubled West Side, and is responsible for almost every aspect of production and marketing of the soaps. “We’re really here to give young people a chance to make something they can be proud of… [and] to develop themselves as professionals,” said Kim Deflyer, coordinator of Soap Works, who helps match teens with mentors in the program. “Sitting there, making soap with these kids, you get a chance for real one-on-one time.” With faith and patience, Deflyer and her staff are teaching Buffalo’s urban youth to be self-confident and enterprising--tools they will need to pursue productive alternatives to the street.

Even their West Side storefront stands in poignant defiance of Buffalo’s economic geography. The young staff produces from the back of the New To You Shop on Grant St. and West Delevan, a thrift store operated by On The Job Ministries. Amid a landscape of boarded-up businesses, Deflyer believes that staying open sends a powerful message to the community. “We provide low-cost and gently used goods to this neighborhood, as well as create a positive environment for young people to work,” Deflyer said. “And we don’t plan to leave any time soon.”

The New To You Shop is also the staging area for a third ambitious project, Westside Wheels. Giving new meaning to the term ‘a tireless effort,’ this program salvages and repairs used bicycles for low-cost resale to the community.

Soap Works products come in six fragrances as well as unscented, and can be purchased at Vidler’s 5 & 10 in East Aurora, or ordered by mail from www.peaceofthecity.org. If you are interested in volunteering your time or used goods, contact Kim Deflyer at 716.886.2490. On the Job Ministries will pick up used bicycles or other household goods at your home, or they can be brought to 289 Grant Street.

soap%20shop.jpg

User Options

feed your soul buffalo

Tags

What Others Have To Say

Comment Options

  1. SteveP

    0 ratings12345
    Apr 17th, 16:28

    hey fran, good article. Its nice to see you're keeping busy

    Report this

  2. platt4

    0 ratings12345
    Apr 17th, 17:46

    Nicely written. Great program.

    Report this

Would you like to subscribe to this conversation?

Enter your email below, and you will receive an alert each time someone leaves a comment on this post.

What Do You Think?

Login to get more

Related Articles

  • Take A Trip Down Memory Lane

    Story Image Maybe you read about this one last December, or maybe you took the time and looked over this one in April, and perhaps you considered attending this event back in June. Whatever your reasoning for putting it off, there’s no time like the present for Forgotten Buffalo, unless of course it’s the past. Forgotten Buffalo Tours take participants on a journey into the history of the area, always striving to produce a unique and entertaining outing. Their success has allowed them to …

  • Party For The Parks - The Way A Park Should Be Seen

    Story Image Last evening was the first time that I have ever attended the event, Party for the Parks held at the Marcy Casino. The parks gala started up just as the Burchfield-Penney showing was winding down, and has happened more than a few times this summer, the non-stop rain kept everyone guessing. By guessing, I mean that every time the band members would even look at their instruments the rain would start to fall. It was a good thing that the upper terrace was covered and the Marcy Casin …

  • It's Time To Break Out The Red, White, And Blue For Puerto Rico

    Story Image According to Miguel Santos, one of the founders of the Puerto Rican Day Parade of WNY, starting the parade six years ago was a way of “recognizing that Buffalo’s Latino population continues to grow and we decided that it would be a great way to recognize this segment of the population.” Inspired by the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in NYC, Santos, who is a local activist in the Latino community, got a call from Jose Rodriguez, and the rest is history. Santos says, “We …

  • Burchfield-Penney Art Center Comes Alive

    Story Image For the first time in over a hundred years, Buffalo has unveiled a brand new ($33,000,000, 84,000 sq.’) museum. Yesterday, hundreds of people met at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center to witness, not one, but three, ribbon cuttings. Fans and supporters were greeted by trumpeting didgeridoos as they walked into the vaulting entranceway – a walk that led them past the museum café, the gift shop, the learning center, a conference center, studios, gallery spaces, and more gallery s …

Text Links