We were lucky to catch up with Claire Tyra recently and have shared our conversation below.
Claire , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I am the Executive Site Director at SCRAP Creative Reuse Ann Arbor.
We are a nonprofit creative reuse center. Our mission is to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior through our secondhand store and by providing educational programs to our community. We function as a secondhand arts and crafts store and are a part of a network including 3 other centers across the U.S.
We intake donations of materials from individuals and businesses as a means to divert waste and reframe the way that people view raw materials and secondhand goods. We are different from other secondhand stores in the fact that we throw hardly anything away and that our focus is really on teachable moments and how to activate the minds of our community to change the way they use and view materials.
We define creative reuse as “applying creativity to existing items – giving them new practical or artistic function.” Which really means – everything has a second life – lets get creative and find it!
Teachers, artists, small business owners, crafty folks, students – secondhand and thrill of the hunt shoppers. There’s something for everyone, really. From practical items like office and school supplies to scrapbooking, sewing, and art supplies. In the past we have worked a lot with area businesses who create consistent usable waste. Businesses donate things like foam offcuts, maybe a mis-run of a certain plastic cap – etc as a means to keep their waste low. At SCRAP, we rarely toss anything. If we accept it, it will find a second life.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am the Executive Site Director at SCRAP Creative Reuse Ann Arbor.
We are a nonprofit creative reuse center. Our mission is to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior through our secondhand store and by providing educational programs to our community. We function as a secondhand arts and crafts store and are a part of a network including 3 other centers across the U.S.
We intake donations of materials from individuals and businesses as a means to divert waste and reframe the way that people view raw materials and secondhand goods. We are different from other secondhand stores in the fact that we throw hardly anything away and that our focus is really on teachable moments and how to activate the minds of our community to change the way they use and view materials.
We define creative reuse as “applying creativity to existing items – giving them new practical or artistic function.” Which really means – everything has a second life – lets get creative and find it!
Our community includes teachers, artists, small business owners, crafty folks, students – secondhand and thrill of the hunt shoppers. There’s something for everyone, really. From practical items like office and school supplies to scrapbooking, sewing, and art supplies. In the past we have worked a lot with area businesses who create consistent usable waste. Businesses donate things like foam offcuts, maybe a mis-run of a certain plastic cap – etc as a means to keep their waste low. At SCRAP, we rarely toss anything. If we accept it, it will find a second life.
We run in store hours, an online store where we ship across the U.S., and host Education programs on site and in community spaces.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Community – I have always believed in the power of “the village” – when we work together, think about how we impact one another, and let that lead our behavior – the world will truly be a better place.
Work ethic – Not every part of community or nonprofit work is going to be pretty. There will be long days, dirty days, and frustrating ones. Be willing to get the job done while knowing that its all worth it.
Hope – I could see that SCRAP and Creative Reuse were a vital part of the community that needed to be saved. The pandemic almost took our location out of operation. Hope within myself and the Team – true belief in what we do made all the difference.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
I would spend my last decade doing community work. Being a helping force drives me. I feel pulled to volunteer for local efforts, cook food for neighbors and friends, and spend time putting positivity into the spaces around me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://scrapa2.org
- Instagram: tyramtyra
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
