Refugee Artisan Initiative

We believe useful skills with proper tools and equipment can transform lives. Many refugee and immigrant women come to the Seattle area with limited skills and education, but have a strong desire to work. We intake and assess women with varying sewing skills to help them earn living wages by making sewn and handcrafted goods.  We also provide sewing training and have a 'rent-to-own’ sewing and equipment program. We implement a circular economy by utilizing upcycled fabric and materials by converting them to beautiful small-batch manufactured products.   

RAI started in 2017 and has served 36 Artisans to date. The amazing growth opportunities for RAI to produce sewn goods for partner corporations, local designers and small business means we have the opportunity to serve more Artisans who are now on a waitlist. We need volunteers to help us nurture a volunteer to artisan engagement program so we are developing an Artisan holistically and not just by the stipend she earns through the creation of products.