Hosting the United Way Canada Team

On the morning of Wednesday, June 17th, EcoEquitable welcomed the United Way Canada team to the Unitarian Sanctuary within Heartwood House for a hands-on hand-stitching workshop. This event was a part of their staff retreat, and served as a chance to turn a longstanding partnership into something they could hold in their hands.

Thirty participants gathered around the tables, working with materials from our Eco Fabric Boutique. The session was led by Faezeh, the Program Manager for our Sewing for Jobs program, with an EcoEquitable alumni at each table offering guidance and encouragement. Together, the group learned the basic stitching techniques they needed to complete their project. Near the end, Lamia, a former student, shared her experience with the Sewing for Jobs program, and the transformation it had on her.

The group's individual pieces were joined into a single connected panel, creating a quilt that reflects the values of diversity and connectedness. It now lives in a United Way Canada office.

We're grateful for the generous donation of $500 from United Way Canada, and to our longstanding partners at United Way of Eastern Ontario for connecting us to this opportunity to work together. Thank you for spending your morning with us, and for diving into the essence of our mission that uplifts women through the art of sewing.