"Drop by drop, we make an ocean."
The refugee women of Intertwined have learned this phrase, and it epitomizes their transition into American life...
Little by little, they learn more English.
Little by little, they learn how to manage their finances.
Little by little, they build on their sewing skills and creativity.
And as they learn and sew, they are processing their life's journey.
Where they've been:
Each woman and her family comes from a war-torn country in the Middle East or East Africa. Many are political refugees whose family has aided Americans.
What they've been through:
Many of the women have hard stories of the life they came from. One has been widowed by violence; many left their home countries because of safety concerns for their children.
Where they are now:
These families have been placed in Knoxville, TN by the US State Department, and have been here for varying amounts of time. Many of their husbands cannot find work, are underemployed, or cannot work because of a disability. The women come to our non-profit offices three times a week to sew and have classes in English, finances, and creativity. Our offices are a safe place where the ladies can connect with each other in an environment that respects their home cultures, while they learn about their new one. They also sew at home to complete items for this shop and their booth at the local farmers' market.
What the future may hold:
The women of Intertwined are hardworking, kind, and beautiful souls. They want Intertwined to be a business that continues to grow to support their families.
