EXCITING NEWS — WE'RE GROWING!

Our Mission

The Sewing Labs is an inclusive and welcoming community teaching the legacy of sewing for employment, entrepreneurship, and enrichment.

Image Credit: Chase Castor, Kansas City Beacon

State of Missouri Awards ARPA Funding to The Sewing Labs to Help Companies Find Trained Workers

The Sewing Labs has been awarded a grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. This one-time grant of nearly half a million dollars, distributed over a three-year period, will be used to support program expansion of the Sewing Salon Training Program (SSTP), a workforce development initiative.

The grant money will support 108 students to learn and develop sewing skills that they can take to employers in the robust local sewn products industry, working with manufacturers of home decor, bedding, mattresses, boat and marine, tent and awnings, automotive upholstery, as well as fashion, among others. These students will be fully funded for the 30-week training program, then move into a paid apprenticeship with a local employer.

Eileen Bobowski says: “We aim to create a pipeline that moves trained sewists into paid apprenticeships and ultimately gainful employment. This grant will enable the program to double the number of individuals served per year as a pathway out of poverty! Grant funds will enable The Sewing Labs to increase its program staff by a half-time employee, expand program operations, and purchase the specialized equipment required to serve a larger number of participants.

The SSTP is a workforce training program for men and women who learn the core fundamentals of sewing and use a variety of industrial sewing machines. Participants gain the marketable skills and experience needed to secure employment in Kansas City's robust industrial sewing industry.

In 2021, The Sewing Labs entered into an agreement with the US and Missouri Departments of Labor to officially offer Industrial Sewing Machine Operator training, resulting in a paid apprenticeship within the sewn products industry in the Kansas City region. With this business model of training and connecting trainees to local employers, The Sewing Labs became a federally recognized Registered Training Instructor and Registered Apprenticeship Host. It partners with other local non-profits with a workforce or jobs training component, serving especially those who may be at risk and starting them on a path out of poverty and into financial dignity. In addition, they partner with public schools to attract youth and demonstrate that sewing is a necessary skill and a viable career path, like any other vocational trade.

Missouri’s Workforce Training Grant Program is funded through the US Department of the Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and was developed to address the workforce disruption caused by the pandemic. The Workforce Training Grant Program helps companies address the broad workforce disruption stemming from the pandemic through grants funding projects to recruit and train individuals who are seeking to move to a job that provides a better opportunity for economic advancement.

Find the SSTP Application Here!

The Sewing Labs Announces a Growing Team!

We have hired a new Executive Director and a Development and Outreach Manager.

The Sewing Labs is delighted to announce the joining of Robyn Kerkaert as the new Executive Director. We have chosen Robyn Kerkaert to lead TSL into 2023 and going forward. She will begin on February 1, 2023. Her experience and credentials are a great match for what we need to meet the exciting challenges ahead.

Robyn has significant experience in leading change and implementing solutions. She comes to us from Kerkaert Consulting Services, LLC, which specializes in healthcare support and guidance in the areas of strategic opportunities, administrative efficiencies, regulatory compliance, human resources, workforce development, and grant writing. She has worked as Chief Executive Officer for Heartland Community Health Center, Inc., Chief Administrative Officer for Variety Care, Inc., and Director of Human Resources and Corporate Compliance for Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality. Other leadership and professional participation include being a member of several Boards of Directors and active committees. With Robyn’s many years of experience with the nonprofit sector, she is an excellent fit for the mission we work under here at The Sewing Labs.

Eileen Bobowski will continue serving the organization as the Development and Outreach Manager. Eileen will focus on development, fundraising, grants, outreach, and communication for The Sewing Labs. She will continue to foster partnerships with other local nonprofit agencies with training, workforce development, or vocational rehabilitation components. She will also help recruit students for TSL’s Sewing Salon Training Program.

Cara Voss, The Sewing Labs Board President, states, “We are excited about the future of The Sewing Labs. With this opportunity, we will have the chance to impact many more lives.”

Volunteer Signups Made Easy

We're using SignUp to organize our upcoming volunteer sign ups.

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

1) Click the button above to view Volunteer Opportunities.
2) Review the opportunities listed and choose the opportunity and spot(s) that best fit your schedule.
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Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact us at VolunteerCoordinator@theSewinglabs.community or Linnca@thesewinglabs.community and we will sign you up manually.

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526 Campbell
Kansas City, MO | 64106 United States

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