Refugee Women's Empowerment Program

COVID-19 Program Updates:

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Women’s Empowerment Program suspended in person classes and has been adapting and pivoting to meet the ever-changing needs of our refugee clients. The Women’s Empowerment Program has continued to engage women safely at home with Operation Sewing Hope, a home delivery project launched in April. In Operation Sewing Hope, we deliver kits of fabric and sewing supplies to clients at their homes. The women have been creating cloth face masks, scrunchies, cloth napkins, and more! This project enabled us to donate over 1,200 refugee-made masks to vulnerable Arizona communities - including refugee families, front-line workers, medical professionals, the San Carlos Reservation, Hopi Reservation, and Navajo Nation – while providing much needed income to the refugee families.

In the Refugee Women’s Empowerment Program, LSS-SW offers classes and programs specifically tailored to the needs of refugee women in our communities, offering a safe space for women from Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Burma, Cuba, and more. The trauma of the refugee experience is often compounded for refugee women because of gender-based violence and cultural expectations. These barriers can make integration into their new American home particularly challenging.

With the support of volunteers and community partners, LSS-SW empowers refugee women in Phoenix and Tucson through skill building, education, and socialization, including:

Sewing Classes
Computer Classes
Vocational English Classes
Women’s Health Classes
Nutrition Classes
Women’s Leadership Development Program
Library Tours
On-site Childcare
Kith & Kin Childcare Training (in partnership with ASCC)
In-home Childcare Certification
Cloth Diaper Classes
Babysitting Certification
And more!

Where can I buy items handmade by refugee women?

Check out the Women’s Empowerment Program’s RefugeeMade Etsy shop, where you can shop a variety of products safely at home!

Phoenix: You can find our products year-round at The Refuge Cafe (4727 N 7th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85013) or out of our office at 2502 E. University Dr., Suite #125, Phoenix, AZ 85034. We also table local events (when not in a pandemic!) such as the IRC’s World Bazaar and the Annual Melrose Street Fair! No matter where you buy, you can feel good about your purchase because 80% of the money goes directly to the refugee woman who made it!

What kinds of items can I buy?

Our RefugeeMade Etsy store includes scrunchies, tote bags, purses, crocheted home decor, seasonal greeting cards, and more!

How Can I Get Involved?

Donate: Donations of sewing machines, fabric, and other sewing supplies support our work. Click here for more information about making a donation. To see our Amazon Wishlist, click here.

Volunteer: During our COVID-19 response, we are looking for volunteers who can deliver fabric to participants. We are always looking for dedicated community members to volunteer as computer teachers, sewing teachers, and childcare providers. Fill out your volunteer application to get started.

Shop: Visit our Women’s Empowerment Program’s online store RefugeeMade to make a purchase. No matter where you buy, you can feel good about your purchase because 80% of the money goes directly to the refugee woman who made it!