Can You Sew? The Arab-American Family Support Center Would Love Your Help

photo credit: by Margarida Sardo on Flickr

Dear Readers,

Here is a wonderful volunteer opportunity at the Arab-American Family Support Center at 150 Court Street. Their new "Sewing Institute" is made up of women who attend the center's weekly English and Arabic literacy classes. The aim is to teach new craft ideas specifically related to sewing, knitting, embroidery, cross-stitch and other skills.

If you sew, knit or crochet, you can make an amazing difference in the lives of these women.

The Support Center holds a special place in my heart. Nine years ago, it was my great pleasure to volunteer at the Arab-American Center. Weekly, I met with a small group of women and helped them with their English. Since I am an immigrant myself, I knew all too well the linguistic problems they were facing. Though I was there to teach them, I cannot tell you how much I learned about their countries, cultures and life experiences.

It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

If interested in volunteering, please contact Renee Orser at AAFSC through email (renee@aafscny.org) or phone (718-643-8000 ext. 17). They are on Court St. between Pacific and Dean and are a kid-friendly environment, so stay-at-home moms are welcome!

The Arab-American Family Support Center

150 Court Street, 3rd Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Tel: (718) 643-8000 ext. 17

Fax: (718) 797-0410

www.aafscny.org

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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Donate Your Unused Sewing Machine To Local Crafts Cooperative

(photo credit: Amanda Panda Pants On Flickr)

Renée Orser Adult Education Associate at the Arab-American Family Support Center at 150 Court Street wrote in to say that their women's craft cooperative is in need to a few sewing machines. She writes:

The Arab-American Family Support Center at 150 Court Street is pleased to announce the start of an eight week sewing institute in our women’s craft cooperative, Another Dawn. Instructed by a local Cobble Hill resident, the institute will work to teach basic sewing, quilting, and tailoring skills to students in our women’s literacy program, with the intention of developing a sellable product by the end of the semester. All proceeds from products purchase Metrocards for the student’s transportation needs to and from the center.

AAFSC is seeking sewing machine donations for the co-op. We need 2 or 3 more machines in order to successfully run the small sewing classes. As with all New York apartments, we always have old items like sewing machines taking up precious corners and shelves. Please consider donating these gently used but functional machines to Another Dawn at AAFSC. Donations will be tax-deductable, and very appreciated by a large group of women learning English, business, and practical crafting skills.

If you have a machine to donate, please contact Renee Orser at AAFSC (renee@aafscny.org or 718-643-8000 ext. 17).

Thank you!

As I mentioned here before, the Arab-American Center is a wonderful resource for immigrants right here in our neighborhood.
About 8 years ago, I had the great pleasure of volunteering my time at the center. I met with a small group of women to teach them English. Since I am an immigrant myself, I knew what they were facing and how difficult it is to communicate in a new language. It was a wonderful experience.

I hope you will consider donating your unused sewing machine. The women at the Center will be very thankful.

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Arab-American Family Support Center On Court Looking For Craft Co-Op Volunteers

photo credit: by Margarida Sardo on Flickr

Eight years ago, it was my great pleasure to volunteer at the Arab-American Center at 150 Court Street. Weekly, I met with a small group of women and helped them with their English.
Since I am an immigrant myself, I knew all too well the linguistic problems they were facing. Though I was there to teach them, I cannot tell you how much I learned about their countries, cultures and life experiences.
It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

I was just contacted by Renée Orser, the Volunteer Coordinator. She is hoping to find a few community members who could assist with the center's co-op group.

Here is her email:

The Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) is seeking creative community members to volunteer with our women’s co-op group 1 to 4 times a week. The group meets from 9:00-10:00 a.m., Monday through Thursday and the position will run until December 23rd. We would like our volunteers to help design and teach new craft ideas specifically related to sewing, knitting, embroidery, cross-stitch and other skills.

Our co-op group is made up of women who attend our English and Arabic literacy classes. These women meet every morning to learn new crafting skills in a supportive community environment and also to benefit from the sale of our products. The profit made from these products is used to buy Metrocards for the women so that they are able to come to class everyday, as some of our members find it difficult to afford the public transportation fare on a daily basis. Our products will be sold at boutique stores in the community and at local street fairs. Check us out at Atlantic Antic on October 4th!

If interested in volunteering, please contact Renee Orser at AAFSC through email (renee@aafscny.org) or phone (718-643-8000 ext. 17). We are on Court St. between Pacific and Dean and are a kid friendly environment, so stay-at-home moms, we welcome you!

The Arab-American Family Support Center

150 Court Street, 3rd Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Tel: (718) 643-8000 ext. 17

Fax: (718) 797-0410

www.aafscny.org

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