Sewing Mentorship Program Equips Lander Women with Skills for Livable Wages

In Lander, many women struggle to earn wages that provide for their families’ needs, with traditional employment particularly difficult for those who have left difficult situations or face barriers to hiring. Inspired by her great-grandmother who carved out a life in the West by sewing aprons, one resident had an idea to create a mentorship program teaching women this skill while providing opportunity to earn livable wages. Drawing on 15 years of business experience, she developed a plan for a self-supporting system where volunteer mentors teach women to sew aprons that will be sold online, with profits funding stipends for program participants. Each handmade apron will include a tag identifying its maker, and the simple pattern can be customized with edging, lace, and different fabrics as skills develop. The pilot program will start with four sewing kits—each containing a machine, iron, needles, and tools—allowing four women to participate at a time, with mentors also sewing inventory while mentees learn. Participants who complete 60 hours receive stipends, and skilled graduates can continue as mentors themselves, creating a sustainable cycle. LOR’s funding helped purchase fabric, thread, packaging materials, four complete sewing kits, and completion stipends.

This project is fiscally sponsored by Lander Community Foundation.