All Hands Boatworks, a nonprofit based in Milwaukee, has grown from humble beginnings to a significant local influence over the past decade.
“All Hands Boatworks is truly a grassroots community organization that has grown literally out of the trunk of my car,” says founder Bill Nimke. “We started by loading up tools and lumber and supplies and bringing the projects to a school or youth organization and building these simple 12-foot rowing boats there on site. A lot has happened happily since, you know, ten years ago.”
The program gives children hands-on projects, challenging them to build their confidence and skills.
“Often, kids simply don’t know what they’re getting into,” Nimke says. “And I love the challenge that’s presented to them.” The boat-building projects typically take 30 to 35 hours, during which the children learn to use hand tools safely and effectively.
“One of the many gratifying or rewarding elements of what we do is to see some of the impact that takes place, often just throughout a single project,” Nimke says. “We observe many, many times how you can see a certain growth in their confidence in using those tools. And we see a significant pride of accomplishment in them and that the kids talk about once the project is finished and the boats are launched.”
Volunteers play a crucial role in All Hands Boatworks, with a core group of 12 to 15 active volunteers.
“Our volunteers are certainly the lifeblood of the organization,” Nimke says. “Some help in the shop with fabrication of parts and work on the machines and repair of equipment. Others are right there, rubbing elbows with the kids, teaching, instructing and mentoring.”
In addition to fostering practical skills, the program also connects children with their local environment.
“We work with hundreds of kids each year from the greater [Milwaukee] metro area, and it’s a bit surprising and yet a reality that several kids haven’t even been to the lakefront,” Nimke says. “Through the boat building, it’s important that we take these small crafts and get out on the water and get involved with our waterways. It becomes a stimulus for thinking about the water and the quality of the water.”
Looking forward, Nimke emphasizes the importance of sustainability for All Hands Boatworks.
“We want to make sure that we are a sustainable organization,” Nimke says. “That means not only continuing to attract the resources we need to deliver our programming but also building our capacities to work with even more young people in our area.”
