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Sewing Señoras
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| When you think of serving people in need, you think of food banks, used clothing stores, maybe even job training programs. But one United Methodist group is serving the community by teaching what some would say is a lost art. At the Wesley Community Center in Phoenix, Arizona, helping folks is like finding a needle in a … sewing room. (Español) | |||
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Sewing Señoras – STORY:
“Hurry up! It’s late ... ”
After the morning routine ...
"Buenos dias.”
Anna Herrera turns her attention to smaller details.
Anna Herrera: “I’m making these pants.”
In an age when using a needle and thread seems archaic, the whirl of sewing machines is constant at the Wesley Center’s sewing classes.
James Bottorf, Wesley Community Center: “It is very popular. We do have a waiting list.”
The United Methodist Community Center serves a largely poor, Hispanic neighborhood.
James Bottorf: “In our service area, total family income on average is 12 thousand dollars.”
Cultural issues and the high cost of day care keep many of these women from working outside the home. But sewing is one way they help contribute to the family economy.
Anna Herrera: “We make uniforms. She made one for herself and I made one.”
School uniforms and other kids’ clothes are popular projects.
Anna Herrera: "I save money on uniforms. Uniforms are expensive.”
Volunteer: “What I would do is just sew the seam together.”
Anna Herrera started sewing lessons two years ago. Now she makes everything from school uniforms to home decorations.
Anna Herrera: “I made the pillows.”
And each stitch creates something even larger.
Anna Herrera: “My husband is so proud of me too. He tells me, ‘Everything you make is so pretty.’”
James Bottorf: “Together we empower positive change. And this is a form of empowerment.”
By giving these women the tools to help their families, they help themselves...and ultimately the community. One stitch at a time.
Sewing Hispanic Hope - TAG:
Anna says her dream is to one day be good enough with a needle and thread to make her daughter's wedding dress. The sewing classes are offered 3 days a week and staffed entirely by volunteers from United Methodist churches around Phoenix.