A Grant Helps "Sew" the Seeds of Economic Development
If the women and men who attend sewing skills classes at Reaching for Life, Inc., in Star City are able to raise their income by $500 per month, they can move from poverty to a better standard of living.
That’s the idea behind a $1,660 grant from the Delta Area Community Foundation, one of 14 Giving Tree grants the ARCF local office awarded in the spring of 2010.
Experienced seamstress Detri McGhee sees this grant for sewing, quilting and alterations classes as a way for participants from Lincoln and Desha counties to supplement their income, utilize their creative spirit and learn from each other about how to make and market their products. McGhee envisions expanding the classes and establishing a training and marketing center in Star City.
The initial session of weekly classes were attended by about a dozen students aged 8 to 64. For their first projects, the students cut out, sewed and quilted squares which were sent to servicemen and taken to children at hospitals.
“The classes are open to children because it helps them to learn something constructive,” McGhee explained. “Though some of the adults may only sew for themselves, others will be able to significantly increase their income.”