Erie County Legislator Joe Lorigo recently toured the Stitch Buffalo store and workshop on Buffalo’s West Side.

Stitch Buffalo was founded in 2014 with the goal of advancing social justice for refugee women in Buffalo. Since its founding, Stich Buffalo has grown into a community of over 55 women from Bhutan, Burma, Nepal, Thailand and Angola. Every week, these women come together to sew handcrafted goods to be sold back in the community. Stich Buffalo aims to empower these women while providing them with purposeful work for a fair wage.

Legislator Lorigo said, “The Stich Buffalo organization does wonderful things not only for refugee women, but also the community. I was so impressed with the workshop and the beautiful handcrafted textiles that were created within those walls. Many, if not all, of these women have been dealt a tough hand, but Stitch Buffalo gives them a second chance by providing them an opportunity to hone their skills, earn some money, and be part of something—all while benefitting the community.”

Click here to learn more about Stitch Buffalo.