Back row left to right: Anna Naumann, Cenee Dawkins, Shelley Gogan,
Terri Caldwell,
Miracle Johnson, Christy Elkins Front row left to right: Judy Bryant, Susan Cunningham, Bonita Woodward,
Kathy Nunley, Meredith Crane
All T-shirt quilt proceeds support Deaf Initiatives, an organization dedicated to helping deaf and hard-of-hearing youth. The program is designed to educate their parents, equip these teens with life skills, encourage college attendance, expose college students to potential employers, and employ teenagers and adults though Keepsake Theme Quilts. To learn more about our social cause and see our media exposure, click here.
Our Location
Keepsake Theme Quilts is located at 563 South Dawson Avenue in
Columbus, Ohio.The openness of our workroom enhances
communication and really makes our employees feel a part
of the team.
Keepsake Theme Quilts is a vibrant, productive, and inclusive work environment, where sign language is used by all.
Bonita and Meredith
Kathy and Christy
Setting Goals
The operation of our business is driven
by daily goals. These goals are well documented on our
activities board. Once completed the employee is required
to place an "X" on the board to indicate the completion of the goal. This visual representation of our priorities
helps to direct the employees and enhances the ability to
act independently. More than 20 student interns have been hired to date, along with a current staff of 11 people, 2 production assistants and 5 seamstresses and 2 office assistants.
Combined, all 5 seamstresses have over 200 years sewing experience.
Meet "The Team"
Meredith is the director of Keepsake Theme Quilts. Her background as a small business owner for 17 years gives her the experience needed to successfully coordinate the organization. Meredith has been involved in all of Deaf Initiatives' programming since its inception in 1998, and has a bachelor's degree in communication from Ohio University and an Associate's of Applied Science degree in Interpreting/ASL Education from Columbus State Community College.
Meredith
Anna
“I choose to work at KTQ because their values are inline with my own. It’s a place I can be proud to a part of and excited about the initiatives we support. After years of searching, I’ve found a place to call HOME!”
Anna grew up in Ashtabula, OH and moved to Columbus when she married in 1977. She attended KSU and Ohio State University (OSU) for business and computers before receiving her interpreting degree from Columbus State Community College (CSCC). She lives with her husband in Westerville and has 3 children and 5 grandsons. She is the program manager for Deaf Initiatives and Keepsake Theme Quilts.
“One of my friends had asked me to come here to work because I was skilled in sewing. Also because Keepsake Theme Quilts has Deaf employees, I have fun with them.”
Judy grew up in Painesville, OH and graduated from Ohio School for the Deaf in 1972. She is currently married and lives in New Albany, Ohio. She is the lead seamstresses for Keepsake Theme Quilts.
Judy
Kathy
“I was exposed to quilting all my life by my grandma and have always been interested in making quilts. Everybody that works at Keepsake Theme Quilts knows Sign Language. The communication is important to me because we can understand each other easily.”
Kathy grew up in Washington Courthouse, Ohio and currently lives in Columbus. She is the trainer for Keepsake Theme Quilts.
“I enjoy working here because I developed a sisterhood with my deaf co-workers. I have never felt discomfort working here because I can communicate freely with others using sign language.”
Terri grew up in Reynoldsburg, OH and has 2 young children. She began working at Keepsake Theme Quilts in 2001.
Terri
Bonita
“What inspired me to come to Keepsake Theme Quilts is the communication among other Deaf employees. This environment gives me a chance to share my ideas on quilting and enjoy being part of "the team" at Keepsake Theme Quilts."
Bonita grew up in New Jersey, raised a family in New York, and moved to Columbus, Ohio after her husband’s retirement. She is a seamstress for Keepsake Theme Quilts.
“I enjoy working here because Keepsake Theme Quilts helps me to focus on improving my work skills and learning from other deaf people like me."
Miracle grew up in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from Ohio School for the Deaf in 2003. She is a production assistant for Keepsake Theme Quilts.
Miracle
Christy
“I like that my job makes me feel professional. I like the ability to communicate with my co-workers."
Christy grew up in Washington Courthouse, Ohio and currently lives in Columbus. She is a graduate of the Ohio School for the Deaf in 1985. She is a production assistant for assistant for Keepsake Theme Quilts.
“I am studying American Sign Language (ASL) at Columbus State Communicty College and working here allows me to practice my ASL. I love working where ASL is total communication!"
Shelley grew up in Columbus, Ohio and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Franklin University. She is married and has two children.
Shelley
Cenee
“I enjoy working at Keepsake Theme Quilts because the profit goes to support a worthy cause, education of youth. As an interpreting student, I can become skilled at the same language I learn in the classroom."
Cenée lives in on Pickerington, OH and is attending Columbus State Community College for Associate Degree in Interpreting/ASL Education.
"I enjoy working with my friends because they are all deaf and it makes communication easy."
Karen grew up in Hamilton, Ohio, and recently started at Keepsake Theme Quilts last summer. She lives with her daughter in Grove City and their three dogs.
Karen
Shonna
"I like working here because I like the mission goals of helping deaf and hard-of hearing youth."
Shonna grew up in McKee, Kentucky, and moved to Columbus almost 5 years ago. She started working at Keepsake Theme Quilts in August of last year, and lives with her husband of two years, two sons, and stepson.
Our Price for your T-shirt Theme Quilt is ALL INCLUSIVE, including embroidery, sashing, and appliqués.
