With stems of roses and diplomas, the first batch of twelve graduates from the Dar Al Hijrah Social Service Department sewing program celebrated their professional growth in an event sponsored by Islamic Relief USA. Women ages 18 years and up can take classes in a step towards self-proficiency.
Graduates were gifted sewing machines upon completion of the course. Two were offered jobs to ?professionally design and create cloth decorations for homes?. ?Another student exemplified tremendous enthusiasm for the program and has been recommended for the position of Assistant Instructor for future sewing classes,? shares the Social Services Department at DAH.
The Introduction to Sewing Program assists women who may have a language barrier or are new to the United States and are seeking an opportunity to work from home and earn an income of their own. The class gives these women the confidence and skill set to start a small business or work on professional business projects from home. Recipients of Fairfax County Social Services ?Temporary Assistance for Needy Families" (TANF) or food stamps qualify, as does anyone who meets the criteria for 50 percent below AMI. Participants must be available to attend classes during the day time.
Classes are limited to twelve women, which allows for an intimate setting where the participants can socialize and form a close bond, according to Tahani Jabrin, Director of Social Services at DAH.
Sessions are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to noon or 12:15 to 3:15, at the Social Services Building located in the DAH compound in Falls Church.
According to DAH, the 100 hour course takes approximately four to six months to complete. Students learn how to sew on both consumer and industrial sewing machines. Each student is able to take a sewing machine home with them. The course fee is $300 which covers the cost of a sewing machine and all the materials needed for the sewing projects. There is a financial exemption application available for those who qualify for a fee waiver. The goal of the program is to end the dependence on public assistance by preparing the candidate for a job by helping with job readiness and skills training, vocational training and assisting them in finding and keeping a job or running a home based business.
Registration for the second session will run from November 5 through November 30, 2014 Classes are scheduled to begin on December 1, 2014. The program is always in need of volunteers as well as donors who can provide gently used or new sewing machines and extra sewing materials.
Please contact the DAH Social Services department at: socialservice@daralhijrah.net with any questions or to get more details on how to sign up.
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