bridge.Builder

Fight Poverty with Craft

Posted for: Katy Romita
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I'm working on a project called By Many Hands aimed at helping
low-income New Yorkers close the gap between what they earn at their
jobs and what they need to survive.

Over 20% of all New Yorkers live in poverty, using the national
poverty line. This number includes people who are working. For
example, a single mother earning $7.15/hour (35¢ above the minimum
wage) can only cover 34% of her family's expenses. Despite working,
this woman is still making tradeoffs between rent, food, and health
payments.

By Many Hands is a demonstration project, re-establishing cottage
industry in New York City and helping the working poor close the gap
between the money they currently earn and the money they need to live.

I've teamed up with some really motivated and creative low-income
women who are interested in starting their own business and I've also
teamed up with some fashion industry experts. We're putting together
a social enterprise program, selling hand crocheted and hand
embellished products. We've had a few classes, held at the American
Folk Art Museum, and the women make very marketable stuff.

Finding outlets for sales is the big next step! We're going to test
the waters by selling some products at the Spring Street market in
November. We'd also love to partner with some retail outlets.

I'd love to have BRIDGE members involved - both in brainstorming
growth strategies as well as implementing real strategic solutions.
There is a lot of energy in the group about this project and I think
it would be a really fun project for people to be involved in.
Specifically, I'd like help in the following areas:
- opening up distribution channels
- building an advisory board
- and/or pursuing the great ideas that BRIDGE members come up with!

For next steps:
a.) I hope to hear ideas on this blog for how to grow By Many Hands.
I'm happy to have this venue for brainstorming!
b.) If there is interest, I'd also love to hold an in-person meeting.
At the meeting, I'd like to determine what people what people are
interested in - both in terms of project type and time committment -
and go forward from there. There is a lot of room in this project for
different interests.

posted by Sesha @ 19:34