ACTON, Mass. -- Two-thirds of those who suffer from mental illness are unemployed and half rely on financial assistance from the government. Even when patients do recover, they are often hired for menial jobs.

But NewsCenter 5's Rhonda Mann reported that a new program is helping them restore hope of a meaningful career.

Resources: Restoration Project Support Rhonda Mann In NAMI-Mass Walk!

For 30 minutes, Nancy Guppy of Acton recently carefully worked on an old chair, determined to make it look beautiful again.

"It's been a reminder to me that, 'Gee, I really am good with my hands,'" she said.

The former nurse had been out of work for 10 years battling depression. In August, she went to the Restoration Project, where she is paid to learn how to refinish furniture.

"I lost my confidence about going back to work, and wondered, 'Can I remember things? Can I learn new things?' I came out and started here and it's been very helpful," said Guppy.

The Restoration Project is a nonprofit rehabilitation program for the mentally ill. Eloise Newell founded the program 12 years ago after her son developed schizophrenia in college and had trouble finding a job that was manageable, yet challenging.

"Working with your hands, there is just something about it that helps you to let your thoughts go through your head, learn how to cope with them, think about what it is that you want to do, talk with others in the shop casually about what concerns you," said Newell.

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Rhonda Mann Reports On Program

The Restoration Project has crafted a high success rate. Nearly 70 percent of the people who go through the program go on to hold a steady job -- compared to just 10 percent of those with mental illness in the general population.

"We've had people go into health care, into counseling, law and accounting and film, and whatever it is that interests them," said Newell.

Bill Dewey is a permanent employee at the program. He started seven years ago after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

"It gave me a chance to see other people with the same disease I had," he said.

Members of the community provide the furniture and pay for the work to be done.