Allendale program transforms more than fallen trees
That buzzing sound recently heard throughout Allendale's Lake Villa campus was the sound of transformation at work.
Literally, it was a large hydraulic sawmill cutting fallen trees into slabs, the first step to turning those dying white oaks into timeless handcrafted furniture.
In a deeper sense, it echoed Allendale Association's mission of helping youth who have experienced various forms of trauma and adversity find their strength and capacity, transforming over time into healthy, independent adults.
The new, repurposed wood program is a collaboration between Allendale - a not-for-profit facility for kids with serious emotional, mental and behavioral challenges - and Jeff Clark, owner of Old School Timber Works Company in Libertyville. Clark is passionate about repurposing Illinois' urban hardwood, as well as teaching life skills to at-risk youth.
Woodworking has long been a part of Allendale's Career and Technical Education Program, which helps students develop vocational skills. Its wood shop instructor, Rob Serdar, a third-generation carpenter, was seeking ways to develop the program when the opportunity arose.
"Our hope is to expand our students' imaginations and capabilities," Serdar said, "while providing locally-sourced, high-quality wood pieces that will bring exposure to Allendale and give students a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
In addition, Clark - whose company provides on-site milling services, sells repurposed lumber and creates custom wood pieces - believes students will benefit from a better understanding of responsibly sourcing their lumber.
The process is known as Tree to Table; i.e., repurposing fallen lumber into furniture and goods rather than dumping and chipping it.
"Over a billion board feet of quality urban hardwood is wasted every year in the U.S.," Clark said.
"These kids were part of a sustainable process in which they created beautiful, white oak lumber, saving and repurposing a worthy asset. Maybe that's a life lesson that goes beyond milling lumber."
One day in December, Clark brought his sawmill to Allendale's 120-acre, wooded campus. He cut several downed white oaks into slabs, while the wood shop students cleaned, transported and stacked the slabs in preparation for the next step: curing them in Allendale's new kiln.
The kiln, a large space filled with fans and dehumidifiers that dry out the wood, was funded through a grant provided by the Grace Bersted Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee. The grant also provided for initial supplies needed to get the program running.
Days after the event, students were still talking about it and itching to get their hands on the wood. Since then, they've used it to make several pieces of furniture and decorative home signs. Clark is slated to share tips and techniques in upcoming classes.
As the students' skills advance, Serdar said, they'll start building more elaborate tables, shelving and benches, as well as cutting boards, Charcuturie platters and decorative wood signs.
Some of the benches will be placed around campus and donated to the village of Lake Villa. In addition, creations will be sold at Allendale's community craft and floral sales, perhaps as early as spring.
The proceeds will not only fund the purchase of ongoing supplies, but benefit the students' vocational stipends. Meanwhile, as salvaged wood products become increasingly popular, the kids are gaining the skills to secure a place in this growing field, along with an appreciation for the environment and a lifelong passion that will serve them well.
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