“This program is very good,” Mursal Alemi said when we spoke last year. “I like it. All people who are coming to this class like it.” 

The program Alemi was referring to is the Sewing With Purpose classes, a ministry of Kent Hillside Church of the Nazarene in Kent, Washington, World Relief Seattle, and community volunteers. Women who have come to the United States as refugees participate in the class to learn to sew, but also to learn English and build relationships. Kent is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States, and the church wanted to reflect that reality. The classes initially began when community members shared that an English class for refugee women would be particularly helpful. 

Like most things this year, Kent Hillside’s ministries have been impacted by COVID-19. The pandemic started in the middle of the 10th cohort taking the class, and they had to stop meeting right away. Debra Voelker, Glocal (Global and Local) Missions Pastor at Kent Hillside, says this was particularly difficult because they couldn’t say goodbye to the women. 

But there is good news as well: seven of the program’s past students were employed to make face masks by a Washington-based home and clothing brand called ADI Collective, which was started to employ women living as refugees in the Seattle area. Alemi says that she has made more than 1,700 masks. 

Adi Collective is a ministry of World Relief Seattle

While classes are tentatively scheduled to begin again in September, Voelker adds that they are being cautious and creative to account for social distancing. “We value the sewing program and will do whatever we can so that we can continue to provide this needed service …” she says. 

During the break in classes, the teachers and volunteers were able to complete a detailed sewing curriculum. Head teacher Sandy Appl and Americop Intern Erin Baker meticulously took photos of every step of the projects they regularly teach, which include oven mitts, tote bags, baby blankets, and more. 

What makes this curriculum particularly useful is that it incorporates the English-learning objectives for each class alongside the sewing projects. Tahmina Martelly, Resiliency Programs Manager at World Relief Seattle, and Voelker both also added to the project. 

“It is very thorough,” Voelker said. “Anybody, anywhere will be able to pick up the curriculum and have a successful sewing ministry. It’s been a big project.” 

Kent Hillside has two other major ministries that have started in response to COVID-19. The first is a distribution spearheaded by Martelly and World Relief Seattle and in partnership with Northwest Harvest, Union Gospel Mission, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, and other local organizations. At the weekly distribution, more than 800 families can regularly stop by the church for food staples, hygiene items, diapers, and other necessities.

The second ministry is a Care Fund, which was built strictly on donations from the Kent Hillside congregation. Combined, they donated more than $20,000 to distribute to families who needed help with utilities, food, and housing due to loss of income during the pandemic. 

Read more about Sewing with Purpose in NCM Magazine.

Photos by Beau Chevassus, Knok Studio