In September, the Adorned in Grace Design Studio began a weekly after-school workshop for girls. In the past year, Adorned in Grace has held a number of special events that have attracted more than 50 girls, and these workshops, in addition to newly established monthly, all-day workshops, give these girls another place to go for guidance, mentorship, and a chance to creatively express themselves.
November Update
In September, the Adorned in Grace Design Studio began a weekly after-school workshop for girls. In the past year, Adorned in Grace has held a number of special events that have attracted more than 50 girls, and these workshops, in addition to newly established monthly, all-day workshops, give these girls another place to go for guidance, mentorship, and a chance to creatively express themselves.
Attracting teenage girls to want to learn, grow and eventually engage as leaders in their communities requires a hook: fashion mixed with food, music and fun has proven a successful first step. Currently, 15 designers, seamstresses and mentors from multiple churches, businesses and organizations volunteer their time through the Design Studio to help young girls in this neighborhood succeed. As we squeeze into the temporary training room that is home to hundreds of dresses, piles of fabric, nine sewing machines, and of course, girls, we are delighted that we can meet regularly while we wait for completion of the Design Studio.
One precious guest who has attended all of our first six weekly workshops is a 13-year old from the neighborhood. She has been in the foster care system for 6 years and her foster mother reported she has an extremely low IQ (59). However, to our creative artists it seems our young friend just wants and needs something she cares enough about to invest herself in, and it turns out she absolutely loves designing!
Due to these workshops, Adorned in Grace has been able to reach two lovely young women from Napal who visited a workshop because they “just need something to do.” The women are not enrolled in school and haven’t been able to find jobs but they would love to learn how to sew. After four weeks, they are now regular participants in our workshops and have become very dear to us at Adorned in Grace Design Studio.
Adorned in Grace was also visited by two girls who attend a local alternative high school. The two stopped by on a Monday afternoon to learn more about Adorned in Grace andCompassion Connect Executive Director, Milan Homola, gave them a tour of the training room and invited them back to the workshops. We are eager, and hopeful, to establish a relationship with each one and provide a source of encouragement for them as they navigate through their lives.
Thank you all for remembering the designers, mentors, snack providers and prayer warriors who have been so faithful to this work. Plans for the next Adopt-a-Dress contest as well as a Dress for FREEdom event are also underway!
While progress on the City permitting to continue construction on the training center has had its challenges, a commercial architect has stepped forward to take on this project! This is a huge breakthrough in providing a comfortable and safe place for girls to dream big and become advocates in the fight against trafficking rather than victims.
Thank you for helping Adorned in Grace connect with and serve these lovely young ladies!
Sincerely,
Linda and the Team
About Adorned in Grace Design Studio
The goal of the Design Studio is to raise awareness of the human trafficking issue among teenage girls in SE Portland and invite them to become advocates with us on behalf of their at-risk friends, family and classmates. They can learn more about “staying safe” at Design Studio workshops, have a fun place to bring others and learn valuable life skills via the fashion design events.
