At Cressey, we're fortunate to work alongside businesses that are making a real impact in our communities. One of those businesses is FutureLab Makers, a Vancouver-based nonprofit that restores vintage furniture while creating meaningful employment opportunities for people facing barriers to work.
Behind FutureLab Makers is Executive Director Saskia Geurtzen, whose journey into furniture restoration started long before the organization existed.
Growing up, Saskia learned to build, repair and restore furniture alongside her mother, who ran a furniture upcycling business. What began as a childhood hobby eventually became something more. After moving to Vancouver, Saskia started restoring furniture as a way to support her family while searching for work in the nonprofit sector.
"I always did it as a hobby, making things for our own home. Over time, it grew into something much bigger," she says.
That purpose took shape after Saskia witnessed the scale of homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges in Vancouver.
"I wondered what I could do to support this community" she says.
It led Saskia to a simple idea: meaningful employment can be a powerful tool for stability and recovery.
Today, FutureLab Makers provides paid, skills-based employment for individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges, homelessness and substance use. Team members learn furniture restoration, gain hands-on work experience and develop skills that can support long-term employment opportunities.
For Saskia, the most rewarding part of the work is seeing the impact up close.
After years working with large international nonprofits, FutureLab Makers has allowed her to work directly with the people the organization serves.
"It's incredibly meaningful to be part of someone's journey as they rebuild confidence, develop new skills and work toward financial stability" says Saskia.
At the same time, the organization is giving vintage furniture a second life. Every piece that enters the workshop is carefully restored and refinished while reducing waste.
Looking ahead, Saskia hopes to see FutureLab Makers continue to grow. The goal is to create more full-time employment opportunities, support more people facing barriers to work and help shift the conversation around employment programs toward long-term, skills-based careers.
"We believe people should be supported based on their talents and potential," she says. "Our hope is that more pathways are created that lead to lasting financial independence."
As FutureLab Makers continues to grow, Saskia remains focused on creating opportunities for people to build skills, confidence and long-term financial stability.
