Trades of Grace - The St. Joseph Project

Building Professional Life Skills In Ministry and Discipleship Development

Participate in events at St. Joseph Commons for connection.

🙏 What Is This Program?

Trades of Grace – The St. Joseph Project

NWOCO’s Faith-Based Trades Program is not just a school—it is a ministry of hope, healing, formation, and private development.

We serve adults—men and women—especially those who are marginalized, in transition, or wounded—through a journey of restoration designed to:

• Discover their God-given purpose

• Rebuild their lives through dignified work

• Serve others with the talents entrusted to them by God

• Earn while they learn (for qualified, vetted participants)

This is more than an apprenticeship or private vocational training program.
It is a formation-based discipleship path where hands-on trade skills become instruments of spiritual renewal, personal growth, and lasting purpose.

Our approach is trauma-informed, dignity-centered, and paced to the individual—meeting each person where they are, while calling them forward to who they are meant to become.

In the tradition of St. Joseph, the humble carpenter of Nazareth, we believe that a person’s dignity is not defined by how much they can pay, but by how much they are willing to grow.

When Joseph worked, he did not demand a price. Tradition tells us he asked instead, “What do you think it is worth?” Trusting in God’s justice, he honored the person, not the payment.

Trades of Grace – The St. Joseph Project is built on this same spirit.

We begin with grace. Training is offered freely or at little cost, trusting that each individual will rise in skill, in faith, and in stewardship. Some are sponsored. Some give later through donations or honorariums. All are accountable—through mentorship, skill benchmarks, and service expectations.

Participation does not constitute employment. Individuals train as apprentices, contractors, or entrepreneurs in formation.

In this house, no one is turned away for lack of money—but no one walks away without responsibility.

This is the Carpenter’s Way.
And it is how we build men and women.

🔨 Three Core Pillars of Trades of Grace – The St. Joseph Project

1. Vocational Discipleship

Participants are mentored in character, responsibility, and spiritual identity while developing real-world trade skills.
The goal is to help each individual live out their God-given vocation in a Christ-centered, ethical, and community-serving way.

2. Life Restoration

We provide a restorative path for disabled and transitional veterans, as well as individuals emerging from addiction, incarceration, trauma, or generational hardship.
Through the Franciscan–Josephite Dignity Through Work & Creation Pathways of St. Francis restoring dignity through skilled work and mentorship, participants begin to rebuild not only their careers—but their identity, family life, faith, and sense of purpose.
The trades become a vehicle for healing, self-reliance, and renewed mission.

3. Service Formation

Participants are shaped into servant-leaders who understand that their skills are not just for income—but for the good of others.
They are taught to serve widows, the poor, local churches, and their communities with humility, generosity, and purpose.

“This is more than skill development. It’s the formation of men called to serve, lead, and build in the image of Christ.”

A Ministry of Restoration through Work, Discipleship, and Service, Empowerment through Outreach!

🎖️ Veteran Integration – Special Ministry Additione proud to honor and serve disabled and transitional veterans through:

🎖️ Vocational Discipleship for Veterans: Helping veterans rediscover purpose through work and faith.

• Life Restoration for Wounded Warriors: Creating a healing environment rooted in brotherhood, prayer, and hands-on work.

• Service Formation Through Sacrifice: Veterans lead by example, becoming mentors and servant-leaders within our community.

From Restoration to Entrepreneurship

We help participants move from crisis to calling—becoming confident, Christ-centered entrepreneurs:

• Life restoration through mentoring and structure

• Trade skill development under licensed supervision

• Guided LLC/business formation

• Coaching in budgeting, bookkeeping, and business operation

• Building real client relationships under mentorship

This is entrepreneurial discipleship, not workforce development. Each man becomes the steward of his own calling.

Become a Donor or a Mentor Contact us Below and Make a Difference for Life!

Josephite-Franciscan Dignity Through Work & Creation Pathways