History
One Mother's Journey
It all began in 2016. Sarah Starke wanted something more for her son and others like him who were born with an intellectual disability. Transitioning out of high school left him and his friends lacking meaningful challenges to help them grow into adulthood. She recognized a strong need for something more physically and intellectually challenging to realize their untapped potential. Sarah knew that teaching skills that would be valuable to an employer would give a sense of self-confidence and accomplishment. Starting with a few sets of hand-me-down power tools and an idea to create wooden products, Sarah tapped into the community for support and volunteers to help provide a structured program that offered adults with special needs new skills, confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and respect.
In a Wheaton Garage
Humble Beginnings
The plan was set in motion. Sarah networked within her channels of influence and started DoodleBug Workshop out of her garage. With the help of volunteers from the Veteran community, it was transformed into a woodworking shop/classroom. Within two years, a Board was created, non-profit status was achieved, community partners and volunteers were committed to the success of DoodleBug Workshop. The program was expanded to include an assembly line of tasks that could be performed by people ages 16 to 60+. A committee began a search for a central location for the Workshop.
At Last a Place in the Heart of the Community
In March 2020, DoodleBug Workshop moved into 314 S. Main in Wheaton, so participants could be more integrated into the heart of the community and people could appreciate the talents of people with different abilities.
​Where Did the Name Come From?​
When Alex was a toddler, his grandmother used to call him her little doodlebug. What a perfect name! A playful character was created to add to the logo to capture the spirit of DoodleBug Workshop.