Mission & Model
Equipping refugee women for long-term success through vocational training, personal development, and fair wages.
Explore our model.
An innovative response to social injustice.
Women who have fled war & persecution deserve the opportunity to thrive.
Traditional job training models provide only job skills, but refugee women need additional support to successfully enter the workforce and successfully navigate life in the U.S.
The top barriers to employment for refugee women include:
- Language
- Education
- Transportation
- Childcare
Our approach addresses each of these barriers, increasing chances for long-term success and thriving. See how the model works below.
Holistic Model
We serve the whole woman, in order to watch her thrive.
- Holistic programming helps to fill skill and education gaps through a culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed approach.
- Paid training builds financial security and provides basic needs for their families.
- Work shifts during school hours reduces childcare costs.
- Central location in refugee neighborhood allows women without transportation to walk to work.
The VTC Graduate
Refugee women deserve more than jobs. They deserve to thrive as self-sufficient and engaged community members.
- Job placement tailored to their individual interest and skill level increases job retention.
- Job retention provides increased income and stability, supporting families and creating generational impact.
- Language proficiency and cultural savvy allow them to navigate everyday life with confidence.
Graduation
This is the first graduation ceremony for many of our Associates, and after 21 months of focused training, they deserve to be celebrated.
Graduation means that we're confident they can navigate life in America and that employers can be confident they are qualified professional seamstresses.