advertisement

Sew Loved brings its work to South Bend school

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Sew Loved started with a mission to be a hands-on program that would enhance the lives of women, nurturing self-confidence and self-esteem through sewing and quilting.

The effect it has on its members has been "transformative," said Vicki Miles, the nonprofit's founder and director.

Now the women benefiting from Sew Loved are paying it forward to a younger generation. The nonprofit is partnering with The Crossing School to offer elective sewing classes for girls. Many students at The Crossing School have struggled in traditional educational settings, grappling with social conflicts and behavioral problems.

Although the students are gaining useful skills, the program offers much more than sewing lessons, Miles said. It provides the girls with mentors - someone they can rely on and open up to.

Because the nonprofit is about spreading love, Miles said, and giving everyone friends and support.

"That's what we see with the women who come and now we are seeing it already with the girls," she said. "The program is a powerful tool for women."

Gianna Wiseman, a senior at The Crossing School, jumped at the chance to learn to sew. Wiseman always had an interest in sewing, she said, but never had anyone to teach her. Now she's loving it and getting to express herself in ways she couldn't before, she said.

Miles joked that the girls have a roomful of grandmas and aunts to pour love into them, and Wiseman couldn't agree more.

"It's pretty great," she said. "I consider them a second family."

Wiseman was one of six girls who were part of Sew Loved's first class at the nonprofit's space at 103 W. Wayne St. They started with a small class to test the program and iron out the curriculum, Miles said.

But the program is already looking like a success and many more girls are expected in the next nine-week session, J.T. Hooks, regional coordinator for The Crossing School, said.

Even in just the first two weeks of the class, Hooks said, he could tell a huge difference in the students' attitudes. They are coming back to school and becoming leaders, he said, which makes him excited for more students to start working with Sew Loved.

Beyond the social value of the program, Hooks said, the skills training Sew Loved is providing lines up with job training goals of The Crossing School. The school offers many options for job-based skill classes.

And the program is already getting noticed by businesses, Miles said. Two factories in Elkhart contacted her, she said, needing skilled seamstresses. If the girls graduate with these skills and want to continue on, they have a guaranteed job, she said.

None of Sew Loved would be possible, though, without the support of the community. Diane Erdman, owner of Thyme to Sew on Lincoln Way East in South Bend, was able to acquire new machines at a discount.

Erdman was going to provide 17 new Brother education-quality sewing machines for a total of $5,000, a nice discount. But when Erdman and Miles learned of the deal, they only had about two days to come up with the money.

Thanks to 11 private donations from the community, Sew Loved got the $5,000 in time, giving the students quality equipment to work on. The community has the chance to support Sew Loved on Saturday at Art Beat in downtown South Bend.

Sew Loved will have a table near the soon-to-open Cops and Doughnuts Dainty Maid Precinct, and for a donation of at least $25, you will receive a handmade fabric Christmas tree.

"I can't do this by myself, the school can't do this by itself," Miles said. "It's a great team here that's making this happen."

___

Source: South Bend Tribune, http://bit.ly/2bk5tgS

___

Information from: South Bend Tribune, http://www.southbendtribune.com

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.