Refugee Women’s Workshop
About the Program
The Refugee Women’s Workshop at Stitch Buffalo is a thriving community of women from Bhutan, Burma, Nepal, Thailand, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Peru, India, Congo, Somalia, and beyond. Every year, over 200 refugee women and families receive free sewing equipment, supplies, and training through Stitch Buffalo.
Stitch Buffalo empowers refugee women through the sale of their handcrafted goods. This small but powerful financial independence infuses each woman, her family and in turn, her community. Through the creation of these textile products, refugee women nurture their cultural heritage while assuring their self-worth as individuals.
Shop Handcrafted Goods
Explore the unique, handmade products made in the Refugee Women’s Workshop
at our store on Plymouth Avenue in Buffalo, NY, or shop online.
Join the Refugee Women’s Workshop
New members are always welcome. Learn how it works and how to join.
History
The Refugee Women’s Workshop was Stitch Buffalo’s first major program and escalates in importance/impact each year as our neighborhood welcomes more newcomers.
The Need Is Growing
Since 2002, more than 16,000 refugees have resettled in Erie County, accounting for more than 25% of the total refugees who came to the State of New York. In 2022 alone, 456 Afghan evacuees have arrived or are scheduled to arrive at Buffalo’s resettlement agencies. According to the 2020 US Census, these new community members accounted for Buffalo’s first period of population growth since 1950. In Buffalo’s 14213 zip code (where Stitch Buffalo is based), 23% of the population was born outside of the United States. This is more than triple the rate in the greater Buffalo area.
The Impact Goes Beyond Economics
While social organizations help in initial resettlement, there are often limited economic opportunities for women—especially those with complex family caretaking responsibilities. The consequences of this go beyond economics. Interactions outside the family have been shown to:
Improve self-esteem and mental health
Aid in language acquisition
Foster vital social interactions
Improve integration outcomes for refugee and immigrant women
It is vital for socially isolated populations to participate meaningfully in their host communities and forge social ties to anchor them to their new homes.
By drawing on the textile arts skills many refugee women already possess when arriving in the United States (often embroidery, weaving, or sewing) Stitch Buffalo can quickly provide relevant points of interpersonal connection, no-cost supplies/tools, and economic opportunity. For refugee and immigrant women who wish to expand their skills, we offer additional training, equipment, contacts for independent sales outlets, small-scale manufacturing work, and referrals to larger employers hiring sewing machine operators.
Building Our Community of Creativity
Each day at the Stitch Buffalo studio is a time of laughter, socialization, curiosity, and learning. Colors and patterns are chosen, beads are strung, and women from around the world build bridges of confidence and community. This is Stitch Buffalo’s commitment to stitching communities together.