OUR STORY
We'd like to introduce you to Marshall. At the age of just 15, Marshall found himself alone and living on the streets. For 6 years he struggled to secure life's basic necessities. He often felt helpless and disempowered, and wondered if he was going to make it.
Employment has been identified as a crucial factor in ending the cycle of homelessness, but finding and keeping suitable employment can pose a serious challenge.
OUR MISSION
Bertonni's mission is to create meaningful, long-term, life changing employment for people experiencing and at risk of homelessness.
As well as financial independence, meaningful employment provides positive social interactions, improved physical and mental health, and a pathway to transition out of disadvantage.
It also helps build those soft skills that can often be missing, such as self-confidence, self-awareness, and the ability to structure a day.
OUR PURPOSE
We create products that empower.
We design and manufacture timeless and elegant porcelain products, beginning with our range of beautiful homewares. We use the highest quality Australian porcelain, and our products are designed and made to last many lifetimes.
Our porcelain homewares are manufactured using slipcasting, a production technique in which a fluid mixture of clay and water is poured into plaster molds. Each piece is hand finished and lightly polished to give a smooth satin texture.
Marshall is our first employee. He's learning technical ceramics skills, as well as the art of craftsmanship, and is involved in the many aspects of production.
WHO WE ARE
My name is Mike Lepre, and I'm the founder of Bertonni. I'm a designer and have worked in industry as well as university. I began volunteering with homeless organisations 17 years ago.
Bertonni combines my passions for design as well as helping those experiencing disadvantage.
We have partnered with another Brisbane based social enterprise, Joining Hands. They provide access to health and wellness services for youth experiencing homelessness, and are working with Bertonni to identify future employees.
We will also be working with other homeless organisations to ensure our employees have access to the accommodation and other support services necessary to transition out of disadvantage.
WHY WE NEED YOU
We want to create more opportunities for people like Marshall, and we need your support. We have a second person, Simon, ready to begin employment with us. Our aim for the next year is to employ 5 people, and create 5000 hours of meaningful employment.
To scale our manufacturing we need to purchase our own kiln to fire our porcelain products, as well as other equipment. Your support will enable us to buy these important items, as well as the funds to create many hours of employment for our first team members Marshall and Simon.
OUR REWARDS
To support the launch of Bertonni, you can pre-order products from our inaugural collection. Each product is available in white or black porcelain.
If you are looking for a new statement piece for your home, a beautiful present for an upcoming special occasion such a wedding or an engagement, or are looking for corporate gifts with real social impact, think Bertonni.
Our vision is a world where everyone has access to meaningful employment. With your support, we can make it happen.
Our products are available for Australian delivery only. No international orders will be accepted.