"The Social Justice Sewing Academy is much more than sewing machines and needlework. Founded in 2017 by then 18-year-old Sara Trail, the Academy focused on spurring and nurturing activism and youth engagement through sewing projects that included making quilt blocks banners with messages such as "Stop Police Brutality." The academy has since grown beyond that and now provides free services to neurodivergent adults throughout the Bay Area."
"Sabira Williams, Social Connection's program director, says the inclusive programs provide help with individual living skills, and has a goal of helping people get jobs, if they want them - and most do. But it goes beyond simple household budgeting and interview skills. Members can take courses aimed at getting a driver's license, improving computer knowledge and learning to manage public transit."
"The broader view divides interests into art, culinary, leadership and development, and technology and gaming. Members vote on what areas to explore and if enough people are interested in a certain topic, the Social Connection and Academy try to oblige. For example, Williams says, many of the members wanted to learn about 3-D printing, so they found someone who could bring in a printer and instruct on how to use it."
Thiago Robinson, 20, experienced homelessness and neurodivergence before finding the Social Connection while living in a San Francisco shelter. The Social Justice Sewing Academy, founded in 2017 by 18-year-old Sara Trail, expanded from activism-focused sewing projects into a broader nonprofit offering free services to Bay Area neurodivergent adults. Social Connection provides individual living skills, job-readiness support, driver’s license and transit training, and computer education. Programming is member-driven across art, culinary, leadership, technology, and gaming tracks. Instructors are brought in for member interests such as 3-D printing, enabling participants to produce and sell items toward greater independence.
Read at The Mercury News
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