Sewing with Heart is an innovative start up social enterprise, and produces a variety of quality nylon bags made by Coast members. From the classic tote to lunch, wine and yoga bags, these bags are durable and reasonably priced.
Customized orders are available.
Call to order your bag or come visit! Sewing with Heart at 604.675.2352 or email sewingwithheart@coastfmentalhealth.com.
Products
Our bags are handmade by individuals recovering from Mental Illness who participate in Coast Foundation Society Programs.
We recycle the colourful, durable nylon fabric, remnants from the production of flags and banners, into useful and sturdy multi-purpose tote bags. When using your Market Bags, know that you are helping to reduce waste flowing into landfills while supporting a collective of creative hardworking individuals, who are Sewing with Heart.
Our Goals
Directly creating jobs is essential for clients to have independence and the freedom to make
choices that come with improved economic status.
Goals of the Sewing with Heart program are:
- To provide income, work opportunities and skill development for people recovering from a
mental illness.
- To provide opportunities to work from home in a business venture that functions as a
‘worker co-operative’ engaged in an ethical business practice with community retailers
How we Started
Sewing with Heart started as a partnership between the Coast Employment Program and The Flag Shop with the intention of providing people with mental illness the opportunity to work from their homes, creating retail worthy products from The Flag Shop’s remnants. Now Sewing with Heart functions as a co-operative.
Our business venture hires participants in Coast Foundation Employment Programs. Th e collective is currently making and marketing colourful tote bags. Th e bags are retailed by community-minded retail businesses that are helping to ensure the workers are making a reasonable wage.
Partners and Supporters
- Enterprising Women
- Asset Development Demonstration Project
- Capers Markets
- Small Potatoes Urban Delivery
- Uprising Breads Bakery
- Vancouver Public Library
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- Mason Sewing Machine Company
- The Flag Shop
- Save-On Foods
ABOUT THE SEWERS
| General Client Profile |
Self-motivated individuals seeking to earn income and develop skills |
| Who Qualifies |
People 19 years or older, living with a persistent mental illness and are connected with a mental health care professional (psychiatrist, GP, or mental health team). |
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