Re:new Project's refugee artisans make masks for World Relief's new arrivals
To celebrate World Refugee Day June 20, Re:new Project and World Relief DuPageAurora/Chicago are collaborating to bring awareness to the global refugee crisis while dealing with the repercussions of COVID-19.
The campaign goal in June is to fund 620 masks made by Re:new refugee artisans for refugees who are being resettled by World Relief in the Chicago area.
During COVID-19, Re:new Project repurposed its sewing studio to make Centers for Disease Controls-compliant face masks in order to swiftly respond to the mass shortage while also supporting the employment of our refugee artisans.
Since March, Re:new Project has donated over 6,000 face masks to care centers, medical facilities, and nonprofits, such as Helping Hands Center, Hephzibah Children's Association, the Children's Hospital in Denver, Washington Jane Smith Retirement Facility as well as many others. Community members also can purchase face masks at an affordable cost.
"When I'm sewing masks I pray for who wears them to stay healthy and safe. They're made by prayers and love," said an artisan from Iran who was rehired during the COVID crisis. Name withheld for privacy.
The Re:new Project is a faith-based nonprofit that engages, equips and employs refugee women in the Chicago area.
Since 2009, Re:new Project has journeyed with 150 refugee women as they rebuild their hopes and dreams.
The programs include free sewing classes, English as a Second Language classes, and employment in the Glen Ellyn studio. Artisans make handbags, jewellery, and accessories available for purchase in-store and online.
During the COVID-19 crisis, Re:new Project artisans work from home and World Relief DuPageAurora/Chicago has been able to hire former and new artisans to meet the needs of the mask donation project.
Learn more at @renewproject on Instagram or Facebook.
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world's greatest problems-disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement.
World Relief partners with global churches and community-based organizations across the United States to provide support to thousands of immigrants and refugees who are seeking a place to call home.
Learn more at www.facebook.com/worldreliefdupageaurora orInstagram.com/wrddupageaurora.