Jam Sitti

Jam began their journey into the trades by weeding Himalayan blackberry for eight hours straight in exchange for learning how to forge a blade by hand. This was the beginning of their foray into the world that they wanted to deepen in: the world of skill shares, mutual aid, and community building. By taking their first few woodworking classes at Port Townsend School of Woodworking, they were able to learn foundational skills which helped them land their first woodworking gig.

Immigrating with their family from Thailand when they were a baby, and growing up, they saw how much their family would work—the knowledge and skills that they held in their former lives in Thailand pushed aside to survive and care for their loved ones. Their parents never had the privilege to align themselves with work that was personally meaningful, and growing up, neither did Jam. From a young age, Jam was always trying to work with their hands. The tactile was something that they could shape with persistence and patience. After a few years making furniture at Henrybuilt and working as a professional bench carpenter in a production setting, they learned how to integrate their creativity and attention to detail in harmony with efficiency, organization, and systems-thinking. Now, as a program coordinator at Sawhorse Revolution, a non-profit located in Seattle, they have the privilege of teaching young people how to design and build all while working with beloved community partners. 

Through their work, life experiences, and time with community, they’re reminded why they value communing with folks who also feel the desire to grow and learn outside of the molds that were shaped for them through systemic inequity. Jam believes that in the process of learning, folks are granted the power of becoming—and because of this, Jam is committed to nourishing and bringing up the next generation of builders.