Mike Williams introduced Lindsay Watson, Executive Director of Threaded Together, a Flagstaff 401(c)(3) not for profit. It is devoted to inspiring creativity and connection through textile arts programs that empower participants, enrich the Flagstaff community, and offer employment pathways for women and vulnerable populations.
Threaded Together was started operating in Flagstaff in March of 2020... just in time for the coronavirus. Volunteers and staff immediately went into action sewing masks and hospital gowns for local groups.
They have a series of programs to interact with the community.
The Sewing Squad is a program to work with the Boys and Girls Clubs, and court supervised teenagers to provide them a place to be artistic and creative. This program allows teenagers space to think and re-energize themselves in a positive manner.
The Step Program (Sewing and Textile Employment Pathway) is a vocational industrial sewing program. It partners with Northland Family Help Center, the Sharon Manor, and others to teach women in crisis employment skills in clothing. These students and graduates staff the workroom facility for other programs. It also has a contract to convert NAU fabric signs into the Tote bags for sale.
Create and Connect is a program that provides open sewing time and equipment to teenagers and adults wanting to learn how to sew. Its objective is to create a community of supportive and creative folks and to build social connections. This is the group that was making masks during COVID.
The final program is a Teen Mentorship program that is focused toward one-on-one mentoring teens with adversity in their lives such as in a foster home or homelessness. The goal is for the teens to use sewing as a way to express themselves and learn practical life skills.
Threaded Together is located at 2710 N. Steves Blvd., Ste. 2, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 in the Kachina Square Shopping Center
Tonya closed the program by noting this month's book "A Place to Belong" will be donated in Lindsay's name to the FFFC Reading Room.
