WHAT WE DO
Refugees arrive in their environment very optimistic about endless possibilities in their new home. Many receive social services for only 3 months, after which, they are on their own. Hence, the relevance of grassroot organizations like Amani Women Center that plays a major role in helping refugees survive and thrive.
• Healthy Families Program - Life Skills and Wellbeing:
We are “Stitching Lives Together” for our program participants and the community through our wrap around services – workforce development, health navigation, D.V. S.A. Services, financial literacy, computer literacy, social services, civic engagement, ESL, adult and youth leadership, all through training and workshops. We believe in a holistic approach to ensure that refugee women and youth have improved well-being and are able to be productive members of their families and the community.
• Amani Sewing Academy (ASA) Program:
A 12-month program that provides a safe space with sewing machines, industrial machines, instructors, counselors, case managers and a fabric room. Students get a sewing kit and all accessories. The program prepares individuals to sew for themselves, for their families, start their own entrepreneurial business, join the workforce — employment at the garment/apparel industry, work for local designers, do contractual piece work, or Join our team of sewers at Amani's social enterprise (Johari Africa).
• Financial Literacy and DV Services:
Financial empowerment is both a preventive tool and empowerment tool for refugee women who come through our program. Empowering a woman financially gives a woman a voice in her home as well as gives her the confidence to participate in making decsions for herself and for her family. DV vicitims who are financially empowered are able to make decisions from a postion of power versus from a position of vulnerability. ASA provides financial literacy through workshops and counseling to refugee women in languages that they can understand.
AWC works with various partners and individuals to build sustainable, healthy
and productive communities. Empowering people out of poverty and delivering change through the Sewing Program and assisted services like health, financial literacy, and employment. AWC aims at bringing dignity to the women and not destitution.