The DAH Sewing Academy's future depends on YOU. With your generous contributions, we can reach our goal of $29,000 needed to resume this semester. First, let's reach our $5,000 goal and, together, we'll continue to climb up to our ultimate goal!

Our Sewing Academy offers 100 hours of instruction with a professional seamstress, after which, each sister receives a brand new sewing machine that she can use to start her own business.

A seamstress in northern Virginia can make over $40,000 a year working from home.

      For a single mom who has to be at home to care for her little ones
      For the woman whose husband became ill…

A skilled seamstress can help provide for her family while working at home.

This year, we have expanded the program by providing a professional summer externship for our most advanced graduates.

Through this program, the women complete a commercial project for one of our community partners, under the supervision of the instructor. 

This gives them the professional experience of interacting with the client, discussing the project, taking the measurements, acquiring the material and completing the installation. It helps them build their resume and their confidence. 

Upon completion of the summer externship, the women receive preference for acceptance into our entrepreneurial workshop led by Empowered Women International (EWI), in which they will learn how to develop a small business plan. In the coming months, we will partner with the Crescendo Group, a social enterprise supporting refugee women, to bring hand-sewn goods from our graduates to market through web sales and local pop-up markets.

11 Semesters
144 Graduates
2 Commercial Installations
1 Educational Trip to NYC’s Fashion District

The DAH Sewing Program is creating opportunities that make our whole community stronger.