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Would-Works artisans craft a line of cutting boards

Would-Works co-founder Connor Johnson, right, talks with artisan Diego Gonzalez of Hollywood on a recent Saturday at the Central City Community Outreach Center on skid row in Los Angeles. Participants create cutting boards as part of an enterprise designed to encourage self-sufficiency and promote craft.

Would-Works co-founder Connor Johnson, right, talks with artisan Diego Gonzalez of Hollywood on a recent Saturday at the Central City Community Outreach Center on skid row in Los Angeles. Participants create cutting boards as part of an enterprise designed to encourage self-sufficiency and promote craft.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Would-Works

While Diego Gonzalez and Connor Johnson discuss a piece Jose Barajas of Los Angeles sands another cutting board.   (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Would-Works

Artisan Patria Gulley, who goes by the name Pepsi, works on a Five Stripe cutting board at the Central City Community Outreach Center. The artisans of Would-Works are skid row residents and others living in poverty who log hours in exchange for credits toward products or services, such as new eyeglasses or clothes for job interviews.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Would-Works

Carmen Leon of Hollywood works on smaller cutting boards that eventually will retail for about $30. She said she was working toward paying her water and power bill.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

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Would-Works

Diego Gonzalez sands one of the Five Stripe cutting boards, which are 12-by-24 inches and sell for about $90.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Would-Works

A Would-Works artisan finishes one of the Five Stripe cutting boards. The finished pieces are sold through design boutiques such as Platform and Yolk as well as would-works.com.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

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