Leathercrafting Workshops at SOFIA

During my winter break from classes at NJCU, I volunteered to teach survivors of domestic violence how to make accessories using leather. My intention was to introduce the ladies to handcrafting techniques that they can employ on their own to make products to sell. One of the primary elements that lead to domestic violence is financial dependency. If a woman can have another stream of income through making and selling her own products, I am only glad to assist.
During the month-long series of weekly workshops, the students learned to make jewelry and crochet scarves.
We had an amazing time bonding, sharing and learning from one another. I have been asked to return next year.
Learn all about SOFIA and the amazing work they are doing here: http://supportsofia.org/

Below are photos from the experience:

 

Strategy

You know when you are on the right track when your non-profit concept wins you....anything! Grant money, supporters, mentorship, space to house it, etc. When you have something that people believe is needed and you are the right person to bring it to fruition, it is a HUGE vote of confidence and that, of course, motivates you to keep pushing.
Well, the wonderful folks at TYHE Design, 

a mission driven firm that uses design and strategy to help social sector organizations and companies grow their potential and build their capacity, offer their services pro bono once a year to person/company/cause that is destined to make a social impact and could use their help. I submitted my concept for Dream BIGGER and won the pro bono 2 hour strategizing session! Let me tell you, it was one of the most magical experiences of my work life.

Although I won't get into all of the juicy details here, I will say that I have a much greater sense of clarity when it comes to who I am serving with Dream BIGGER. My main focus thus far have been the community. But there will be four groups of people I will be serving: the students, the teaching artists, the donors, and the businesses who will become clients/affiliates. Knowing what all four segments will require from Dream BIGGER before they commit to participating is core to its success. 

I learned that very possibly, breaking the mission up into a hybrid that has a for-profit side and non-profit side that it supports may be the most sustainable way to go, also.

And besides all of the strategizing, I was gifted with book recommendations, potential mentors/alliances to reach out to, a ton of related non-profits to study, and a new concept to use to move from idea to launch called Designthinking. I am feeling so empowered and cannot thank the heavens---for directing me to TYTHE and getting my concept selected for the pro bono opportunity---and Ellie/Chris enough for their generosity!

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Welcome!

10/27/2014
(April 9, 2010 was my very first post, which I have edited below since it was 4 years ago)
Hello and thanks for visiting. My name is Terina Nicole McKinney. I am a graduate design and craft major at NJCU and I am in the embryotic stage of starting a nonprofit to benefit others, particularly those in under-served communities called the Dream BIGGER! Academy. But before I can take on the heavy load of building a non-profit on my own from scratch, I want to start with a more feasible project: my thesis. I recently I received approval of my thesis topic. YAY! :)

My thesis synopisis is as follows:

Louis Vouitton's African-Made Collection

It is now en vogue for both American-based and international luxury brands/designers to announce that they are having some of their products handcrafted in third-world countries by indigenous artisan. Or to train and employ disenfranchised women from these regions so that they may have financial freedom to leave abusive households and/or send their children to school.

Although I find these tactics honorable, assuming these companies are really doing good and not harm, it bothers me that these brands aren't taking the same initiative to train and employ American citizens, specifically those in transition from homelessness, prison for non-violent crimes, or victims of abuse. We have many Americans who could use the work, training and camaraderie this kind of group work setting creates. It would not just create a much needed stream of income and provide new skills for many, but also change lives for the better.

Vivienne Westwood's African-made collection

My concept involves having myself and possibly other trained artisans teach skills (crocheting, weaving, sewing) to a small group of women in a domestic violence shelter, tuition-free. The women who show quick adaptation and talent will have the option to be paid to make specific pieces that I have designed for my final thesis MA show.

The show will exemplify that craft and design can co-exist beautifully and can be experienced and even created for and from people of all walks in life.

After graduation, I plan to enlarge the vision by starting a community center for life skills, crafts, and entrepreneurship, called the Dream BIGGER! Academy.

The video below shows a related concept from a fashion knit brand abroad that employs "grandmas." Although my thesis will focus on working with women who are domestic violence survivors, the concept of providing a relaxing and nurturing environment of crafting and healing that also serves the purpose of creating new skills and a possible new stream of income for the women is the same.

Granny's Finest Motion Graphic from Granny's Finest on Vimeo.


I will work with a domestic violence organization located in Montclair, NJ called SOFIA (http://supportsofia.org/). I will host free leathercrafting workshops every Saturday in the month of January 2015 and I will document the experience here.
When the workshops end, I will offer the women the option of taking their new skills and applying them to products I design, paying them per piece.
The products  will be designed with women in their situation in mind, meaning they will be specifically for the healing, protection against, and prevention of domestic violence. I will call it the "Love Thyself Kit." The project will culminate with my MA Thesis show that will showcase the work of the women.
Stay tuned to learn more about the Love Thyself Kit, the progress of my thesis, and the Dream BIGGER Academy!