My Brother’s Workshop, a beacon of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking workforce development, is thrilled to announce —our pilot Sewing Program is in full swing, thanks to a generous donation from the Foxwynd Foundation. The Sewing Program advances MBW’s mission by equipping individuals with skills that promote both professional success and personal well-being.
Business owners in the community have expressed their need for employees in the sewing sector, and MBW is happy to be responding to this call. This initiative is designed to provide both vocational training and therapeutic benefits, catering to the diverse needs of our community. The program aims to foster personal growth, enhance employability, and promote personal welfare by integrating practical skills with creative expression. MBW is incredibly grateful to the Foxwynd Foundation for providing grant funding to procure the materials and equipment needed to launch this program.
Since January, MBW trainees have been learning foundational sewing skills such as threading needles and bobbins, measuring, cutting, ironing, sewing seams, zippers, buttons, and cording. Our products, handmade by the trainees, are available at our Paradise Point retail location. Guest trainers from the community have offered their knowledge and expertise to help give tips and skills on items in high demand in the USVI. The product at MBW at Paradise Point currently consists of pillow shams, tote bags, tea towels, and bookmarks, and the product line will continue to expand. Every item sold supports our mission and helps trainees gain valuable technical and life skills.
It is a great joy for the MBW staff to witness the feelings of accomplishment that many of their trainees have experienced at learning new skills and creating beautiful items with their hands. Fostering self-confidence through equipping individuals with practical skill sets is a core objective of the MBW programs. To donate to the sewing and art program at MBW, visit https://www.classy.org/campaign/together-we-create/c611818.
My Brother’s Workshop is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing hope, faith, and purpose for at-risk and high-risk youth in the US Virgin Islands, ages 16-24. Our holistic approach has helped over 1,600 young people choose a better path, further their education, and ultimately change their lives. This sewing program is another step forward in empowering young people with functional skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
