A.M.F.A. Sewing Class for Chattanooga Refugees is a sewing class that teaches ladies a skill but also helps them adapt to their new home and connect with other people in their new community and fellow refugees.

Their sewing skills are then used to create bags and other items that later get sold.

I spoke with one woman, Randa Itein, who started in the program 5 years ago, not knowing English, is now a citizen, has her G.E.D. and is working to become a nurse, currently studying at Chattanooga State.

Randa says after everything she has been through this program has helped her adjust to the US, while benefiting her financially.

We've been suffering from a lot of things back there and we came here looking for a better life. And there's a lot of opportunity, but we really need people to show us and push us to do this. Yes, we are very thankful we're here with this beautiful community.

All of the fabrics and samples were donated from Associated Fabrics and Wilson's Sew Much Fabric & Upholstery.

When it comes to this program, the volunteers are what keep this class going.

Jeannine Walter, one of the volunteers for the program says,

We sometimes need volunteers that will come in to help organize fabrics, or if we get eight large garbage bags full of fabrics that we need to take time to fold it and sort it through by color. So sometimes we need volunteers for that. We're always looking for volunteers that know how to sew that can help with one on one teaching.

Volunteers help teach the ladies how to sew, but also give extra help cutting fabric, finding belts to use as straps for the bags.

The ladies make these handbags, and we like to have the opportunities to sell them because they are all donations to help the ladies. And what we do in our best effort is when it's a one on one contact with people that you know, and we'll bring all of the items to people's house. And we can sell these right there for you. Or we'll do Church events like this, or Mother's Day or Christmas, you name it, Walter says.

All volunteers don't just donate their time, some volunteers have taught the refugees how to drive or teach the kids how to swim.

If you would like to host a purse party, become a volunteer or donate any items, please contact Jeannine Walter, jeanninewalterllc@gmail.com.