INDIANAPOLIS — StitchWorks, an initiative of PATTERN, has launched a partnership with Project Lia and RecycleForce to train and employ formerly incarcerated women. Six women impacted by the criminal justice system will be trained to prepare for a job with StitchWorks or another company. The StitchWorks Industrial Sewing Operator training course’s first class of women from this partnership began the course on July 12. StitchWorks is located in the Circle City Industrial Complex on the east side.
StitchWorks is pursuing a mission to bring the industrial sewing production back to Indiana. It works by teaching people industrial sewing skills such as using a combination of machines and handwork to make clothing, accessories, bedding, tents and any product involving fabric. StitchWorks plans to employ several stitchers to produce sewn goods on demand.
Project Lia is a nonprofit social enterprise that works to address the many socioeconomic barriers preventing successful reentry after incarceration. It trains women to repurpose discarded material to create one-of-a-kind home decorations and accessories, providing workforce development to help with a successful transition into the labor market.
Similarly, RecycleForce focuses on the re-entry of incarcerated citizens by providing employment and training while also helping the environment through electronics recycling.
The StitchWorks Industrial Sewing Operator training course is now a registered apprenticeship program. The Apprenticeship State Expansion (ASE) grant from EmployIndy, Marion County’s workforce development office, awarded the program $15,000 in funds.
