Our Programs
Cleveland Sews partners with various local organizations to develop trade skills, interest in sewing, and knowledge of sustainable manufacturing within Cleveland.
Cleveland Public Library
The Cleveland Public Library is our partner for Cleveland Sews community-based programming. Through the generosity and support of CPL, community-based programming is free and open to all the public.
Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland
PLAN Of Northeast Ohio
Cleveland Sews sewing program is partnered with PLAN, a unique social membership program for adults living with mental illness including special programming for individuals on the Autism spectrum through the Carol and Marv Lader Journeys program.
Scholar House
Thanks to funding support from The Roslyn Z. Wolf Award and the National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Sews expanded programming to serve an intergenerational community of learners, serving the residents of CHN’s Scholar House.
Sew-A-Thon 2024
Thanks to funding support from local community members, business and institutions, Cleveland Sews Sew-A-Thon brought together close to 100 people, gathering in the former hospital rooms to transform the inpatient hospital drapery into reusable tote bags for St. Vincent Charity Community Health Center’s food pantry, Mission Kitchen.
The Urban League of Greater Cleveland
Cleveland Sews educational program in collaboration with the Urban League, and launched in partnership with East Tech, teaches sewing as sustainability and transferable skills with a focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) and social-emotional education.
Thank you to the generosity of the Roslyn Z. Wolf Award and the National Council of Jewish Women, along with St. Vincent Charity Community Health Center and the Sisters of Charity Foundation, Cleveland Sews successfully activated a number of programs in 2024 and 2025 focusing on the Central neighborhood.
Upcycling Center
During Cleveland Sew-A-Thon, 2024 Community Sew-A-Thon, St. Vincent Charity Community Health Center generously donated space to Cleveland Sews to divert over 600 lbs. of inpatient privacy curtains from the landfill. The project was catalyzed by further support from The Roslyn Z. Wolf Award and the National Council of Jewish Women and The Sisters of Charity Foundation diverting 3,031 lbs. of organic cotton materials; 2,104 lbs of fabrics; and 457 lbs. of reclaimed tee shirt material. Through a partnership with The HELP Foundation, funding providing programming and materials were sorted and shared with the community or allocated for programming and future projects.
PEP Chestnut Positive Education Program
Cleveland Sews develops trauma-informed programming that is equitable for all youth. Through project-based learning, troubled youth discover transferable skills needed for future employment. A collaborative approach gives students an outlet for creative expression and self-regulation, while building self-sufficiency and workplace skills.
Friendly Inn Settlement
Generosity from The Roslyn Z. Wolf Award and the National Council of Jewish Women provided programming for summer youth, developing their skills in creative fashion design and “hands-on” upcycling.
Cuyahoga County Sustainable Stores
As the result of all of these culminating partnerships, Cleveland Sews was able to catalyze the momentum from Sew-A-Thon, leveraging contracts with Cuyahoga County to produce and distribute bags for 9 community partners, retailers and food pantries. The program is continuing to evolve around community workforce development training.
Our programs are only possible because of our partnerships and your support
Some of our past programs and partners
Cleveland Sews the Circular Economy
Through a partnership with the NFL Green, Cleveland Sews diverted 920 pounds of banner material from the Draft in Cleveland. What evolved is the systems development of a re-manufacturing hub, including community development practices and regenerative agriculture.
Queen I Am
Cleveland Sowed Queens through a partnership with this small grassroots non-profit, empowering young girls to see the beauty, strength, and talent within themselves. From hand-sewing and embroidery, this program developed creative skills while fostering fine-motor skills to build a strong sewing foundation. Founded by Dameyonna Willis, Queen I Am seeks to encourage self-love, self-respect and self-understanding.
May Dugan Center
Cleveland Sews programming partnered with May Dugan's Seniors on the Move Program, which provides the tools to help older adults stay active and engaged in their community. The program supports their emotional well-being as well the deepening of social connections to help support aging in place.
University Settlement Adult Wellness Program
Cleveland Sews partnered with University Settlement's Adult Wellness Program which serves adults that are 60 years or better and individuals that are 18-59, that have a disability. The focus of the program is to empower seniors and participants to see their personal worth, discover a new hobby, and explore entrepreneurial income generating activities for themselves.
Urban Community School
Cleveland Sews works with the Urban Community School (UCS) Aftercare Program, serving Cleveland's near west side children by providing a 'Young Designers' curriculum and introducing students to design through creativity, upcycling, and reuse. UCS is tooted in the Ursuline Sisters’ tradition of faith, character, and educational excellence, which aligns with Cleveland Sews' mission and vision.