About Us

 Community Shop Class started as an idea to help bring access to tools and tradeswork to our neighborhood. It took almost ten months to build and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to remodel a beautiful but neglected building. 

Oak Park is an amazingly colorful neighborhood filled with talented people. Some need tools, some need a little guidance and some just need a safe place to create. We love our neighborhood and dedicate the shop to them.

Community Shop Class is a place to learn and create, teach and build. Our new project is designed to expand access to trades work and to celebrate those who create and build things that help our community. The purpose is to be a good neighbor in every way possible.  

We have an incredible shop filled with tools and inspiration. We are currently developing summer and after school programs designed to give Oak Park students a place to learn the basics of carpentry, plumbing and electrical work while also learning about sustainability, safety and conservation. Our life focused curriculum will be reinforced with positive coaching, accountability and sensitivity. Our efforts will be seen in our neighborhood as we will use the skills we learn to help Oak Park residents, non-profits and micro businesses. We are focused on community efforts first but the shop is also an engaging place for special events. We will host community Seniors Citizens on Tuesdays from 9-2p so they have a place to discuss projects, engage with others while they teach and learn. We will have amateur coaches available for them at the shop. 

 My wife and I have self funded the renovation of that beautiful but previously neglected building. A building that has twice in its life been within months of being demolished. This has always been about people before profits. We have decided to move Community Shop Class to a non-profit status. We work closely with local groups and hope that they will continue to support us in supporting them.