Refugees are eager to learn sewing skills and WTB has been teaching them for years, in a project spearheaded by Jennifer Roberts Crittenden. Jennifer and about 10 others run free sewing classes with 1-on-1 teaching. The refugee women attend for nine weeks and make a small pillow, a pot holder, an apron, a shoulder bag, elastic waist pants, and a simple blouse. At the end of the class they are given a sewing machine along with a bag of notions (worth about $60) so they can continue to sew at home.
If you know of someone who has a usable machine, Jennifer is always looking for them. The students also need fabric and notions (zippers, machine needles, seam rippers, etc.) To donate, contact Jennifer at 315-345-9217.
In addition to each student getting a machine, Jennifer has given out an additional 180 machines to refugees who already know how to sew.
