Provide sewing classes for a refugee woman!

We start with threading the machine. Learning the English words for “thread,” “needle,” and “bobbin.” American teachers also learn the words in our students’ heart languages use for those machine parts as well, so that there is a mutual commitment to learning and growth. And with that small introduction, sewing class takes off! A school year full of friendships made, projects sewn, and vocational skills developed.

As we’ve talked about before, vocational training paired with mentorship is a key step in helping refugee women acclimate and thrive in America.

We offer these classes for free to refugee students who have been in the United States less than 7 years. We also provide each students a sewing machine and a supplies kit when they graduate from the class. These gifts enable women to start their own sewing businesses, to make traditional clothes for their family, and to experience the therapy of creativity and art.

But the costs of class are putting these studio kit gifts in peril. With inflation and growing class sizes, we need you to partner with us.

Did you know it takes $300 per student to run sewing classes? And this doesn’t include extra supplies and fabric that are needed throughout the year. And to provide a sewing machine and kit to each student upon graduation costs around $200. This is where you come in. You can sponsor a refugee student for 1 semester OR for the full year! You can help pay the cost of a sewing machine for a class graduate. Your donation is tax-deductible and will show up as Project 658 on your statement.