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"At our core, we are a nation of compassion," Hwang said. "To see these women refugees being supported and encouraged to pursue the American dream by honing and marketing their valuable skills is truly inspiring."
Our Woven Community is one of several programs at Bridgeport's Burroughs Community Center. The program teaches refugee women sewing skills and nurtures their artistry to create products they can sell.
Refugee woman now living in greater Bridgeport hand-make items from both donated materials and fabrics from the local community and also fabric and materials from Africa. Each piece symbolizes the importance of weaving lives, cultures and communities together, as well as providing the artists with opportunities for creativity, community integration and economic growth.
"Our Woven Community is about empowerment, and that’s what America is all about," Hwang said. "The tangible skills they are developing adds value to our communities while generating supplemental income for the participants.
"I plan to share information about this successful outreach program with my fellow state legislators in Hartford. "I commend program founder Cynthia Davis and everyone at the Burroughs Community Center on the positive impact they are having on people’s lives in our region."
Our Woven Community relies on a variety of community partnerships:
- Local retailers Hazel Daze Boutique of Fairfield, Mama Jane’s Global Boutique of Southport and The Fabric Factory of Milford.
- The Greenfield Hill Congregational Church in Fairfield provided money for sewing machines and notions.
- The project also is supported by the Vincent J. Coates Foundation.
Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport.
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