Vocational opportunities, or the experience of completing a task, earning money, and receiving recognition outside of the family, are important for the normal development of adolescents. Lack of such opportunities produces disenchantment and often leads to drug abuse, vandalism or running away. 'Restorations' is a youth-operated enterprise (established by the Tri-Town Council on Youth and Family Services, Inc., in Topsfield, Mass., involving the sale, repair and refinishing of used furniture. The project gives economically disadvantaged youth the opportunity to work and learn in the context of a small business. The project employs several full-time and part-time adolescents and one adult--the project director who functions as a facilitator and technical advisor. Cooperation with the school system and the community is an important part of the project. The full-time youth employees are high school dropouts, they receive tutorial assistance from the high school and are awarded academic credit for their participation in the project. Restorations also contracts with local artisans, craftsmen, business people and others for technical advice. This serves to create community awareness and publicity and engenders interest and support from the adult community. As a result, the youths can make financial decisions and determine their own educational needs. Thus, in addition to providing youth employment opportunities often lacking in rural areas, Restorations serves to join young people and adults in a common project which fosters mutual respect, contributes to self-sufficiency, and addresses needs of the rural community while embracing the economic and social values of rural America. References are included in footnotes.