Purpose Artisans: Bridging Community Connections through Occupation

Note: This is Part 1 of a 3 part conversation about the role occupational therapy has to play in community wellness, social connection, and fostering belonging and purpose. Nicole Konz and John Salgado Maldonado created Purpose Artisans as a way of doing just that and can be found offering a variety of occupation-based opportunities in Wilmar, MN and the surrounding area.

Below is a transcript of the intro, key moments, and recap.

Scroll down to skip straight to play if listening only is more your style.

0:00: Intro to John and Nicole

April is OT month and although this conversation took place near last year’s OT month– it holds just as much value today as it did in the moment.

Our guests for this conversation are Nicole Konz and John Salgado Maldonado– together they make up the non-profit, Purpose Artisans.

You’ll hear more about what they do soon and as you do– you will likely notice the benefits of intentionally creating and maintaining relationships with people who have similar and different experiences than we do. And how purposeful occupations can both connect us to ourselves and one another and serve as a common language– no words required.

This is a conversation about what is possible, about how community focused OT is not a new concept, but it is newer to the US and how this awareness guides their approach.

Finding purpose and a sense of belonging– that is the core of their work and in this segment we will hear more about how they do that in rural south central Minnesota and beyond. 

And now, we’ll hear from John and Nicole. 

Image description:

Behind the scenes view of an interview with Nicole and John of Purpose Artisans. Photo is of Nicole, John, and Kary on Zoom call while recording the interview.

Key Moments

01:13: Introductions with John and Nicole

02:57: What is Purpose Artisans? The Why

08:29: Is Community OT new or ignored? Making the case for language informing conversations

10:41: Concept of community OT is not new, the strategies may be

11:46: Knitting and Rainbow Tree project at start of pandemic

13:58: The Mission: Finding Purpose and a Sense of Belonging

15:15: Following the unique make up of each community to guide offerings

16:04: Recognizing “Diversity is a fact— what you do with it is something that you can make a difference or not.”- John Salgado Maldonado
16:36: Intentionality of purpose, belonging , and prevention

17:58: The comments from drumming circles that mean the most: Teach how different little communities can work

18:40: Getting to one song and one rhythm in drumming and how drumming is educational as well

Image description: Image of threads of yarn and other natural fiber materials coming together with the words “Purpose Artisans: Finding purpose and sense of belonging.” (This image can be found on their website which is listed below)

19:33: OT Recap

This will be a conversation in 3 parts so instead of recapping each section, we would like to offer some questions for reflection.

1. Do you follow the work of people outside of your profession, your focus area, or from other regions or cultures? If so– what are the benefits? If not, what could be your next best step?

2. John and Nicole mention the importance of language and remind us community practice is emerging in the US; therefore calling it emerging vs. non-traditional is more accurate and this shift in language helps set the stage for how understanding community OT is received.

Recognizing community focused practice is common in other areas of the world and even in more collective focused groups in the US, it is interesting to consider Nicole’s vision of accessing people far before they need services in a hospital setting.

Which begs the question– would the need for hospitalizations and readmissions to hospitals decrease if community focused OT services becomes a standard of care in the US? How does community OT serve as a preventative measure and promote well being of individuals, groups, and communities at large? 

3. What would it look like for all people to recognize and access experiences that help them engage in purposeful activities/occupations that foster a sense of belonging? 

In the next segment we will hear more about drumming circles as one occupation that does just that. Until then, we’d like to share their Facebook page and website so you can learn more about events they are offering in rural MN.

https://www.facebook.com/PurposeArtisans

https://purposeartisans.org/

To contact them directly, you can reach them at: purposeartisans@gmail.com