A client creating a quilt, which she has sold.
Hill Health Center’s Susan Feldman sent in these photos and text about a program for homeless women. Participants are selling handcrafted goods, including shawls, brooches, and tote bags.
Homeless women in recovery from chronic illness, addiction and mental illness who attend the Cornell Scott Hill Health Center/Village of POWER, are learning entrepreneurial skills which will improve not only their holiday season but possibly their employment skills for the years to come.
The Village of POWER is a women’s only program that specializes in helping homeless who have experienced high levels of victimization, creating major barriers for social integration. The program combines psychiatric care, relapse prevention, illness management and social services assistance with vocational/entrepreneurial training. In operation since 2003 initiated by a SAMHSA grant, the program has allowed multi-challenged women to not only heal but to earn income that will replace lost or inaccessible jobs.
We are hoping to publicize this worthy cause at this time as every purchase of a holiday item immediately decreases the poverty experienced by a homeless woman and moves her closer to housing and productive citizenship. While traditional approaches often require abstinence and stability before vocational training, the Village of POWER has learned that combining these approaches results in decreased drop out rates and improved retention.
Because the program is located in the basement of the Cornell Scott Hill Health Center at 226 Dixwell Ave., it is not immediately visible.
Susan Feldman LCSW is the Program Director and can be reached at (203) 503‑3484.
A client modeling a tote bag, one of 100 we had created for a local conference.
Brooches made by a client.
A client modeling a shawl she has designed and sewn.
Tote bags sewn and accessorized for a local conference
Child’s size sweater crocheted by a client
The Vocational Director of Growing Through Sewing at a crafts fair standing in front of the clothing we create
These items look amazing. I would love to buy something. How can I go about purchasing either a quilt or one of those beautiful wraps? Great cause.