CEW ( Creatively Empowered Women) Design Studio

CEW began in 2012 as a grassroots project to serve refugee and immigrant women who attend the Adult Day Service program at Hamdard. The women served by CEW face challenges entering the work force or growing their social networks due to language barriers. Several women cope with mental illness as well as Post Traumatic Stress after witnessing extreme violence in their former homelands. Over the past year, CEW participants have been involved in every aspect of studio development. Some of the women have assumed leadership roles, teaching other participants new skills, or taken ownership of the project, helping shape its future.

CEW studio fosters an envioronment of cross-cultural communication, expression, and instruction for older adults. Artisan participants also have the opportunity to capitalize on their artistic and craft skills to earn supplemental income. While working together, the participants share stories of their everyday lives, as well as insights into how crafting has been a means of coping during difficult times: the stress of relocating, the experience of war, violence and genocide. CEW is a participant-guided space where the women creatively engage in supporting each other, share their skills, find hope, help, and healing for one another.