A program aimed at empowering refugee and immigrant women with health information and business development skills is being supported by a $2,400 Community Outreach grant from St. Mary’s Bank, the nation’s first credit union.

Sewing Confidence is a project of Rubia, a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop economic opportunities through craft heritage, foster economic and social integration of resettled refugee and immigrant women through sewing, financial literacy, business development, health promotion and environmental awareness training.

Founded in 2009, Sewing Confidence works with women who are rebuilding their lives after prolonged conflict and displacement and address poverty through livelihoods and heritage handwork.

“We help resettled refugees and immigrants learn critical skills through hands-on practical application of income generating strategies and promote women’s empowerment through income generation from the sale of their handwork.” explained Thandi Tshabangu-Soko, Program Director. “We provide classes in hand and machine sewing techniques, product design, financial literacy, and cooperative business development.”

The program not only offers sewing skills and business development strategies, but includes environmental health awareness and health promotion discussions. “As they transition into a new environment, they and their families, are sometimes faced with new health challenges ranging from environmental exposures to changing diet and physical activity levels” said Tshabangu-Soko.

The grant from St. Mary’s Bank will provide teachers in health promotion, environmental awareness, and cooperative business development as well as interpreters to accommodate students’ needs.

“The women benefiting from this program face many challenges as they work to become productive, engaged members of the Greater Manchester community,” said Tom Champagne, St. Mary’s Bank Director of Community Outreach. “We are pleased that our support will help them learn many of important skills they’ll need to meet these challenges.”