Refugee Artisan Initiative
Refugee Artisan Initiative partners with refugee and immigrant women in Seattle to build economic mobility through artisan work. Founded in 2017 by Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman, RAI treats sewing as a universal language: women arrive with different histories and languages and find common ground at the machine. Artisans train in sewing and tailoring, practice English, get help obtaining a business license, and receive ongoing mentorship toward running their own microbusiness. The products they make are one of a kind and built from upcycled material, so the work advances a circular, waste free future at the same time.
Known For
Refugee and immigrant women turning sewing skills into microbusinesses, and textile waste into products worth buying.
Who They Serve
Refugee and immigrant women in the Seattle area who want to build income and independence around the realities of child care, transportation, and learning English.
How You Can Help
Buy the artisan-made goods, place a corporate or custom gifting order, volunteer your skills, or donate to fund training and mentorship.
Programs & Impact
Upcycled one-of-a-kind sewn goods, corporate and custom gifting, artisan skills training and microbusiness development, founded 2017 by Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman
Why Vantage Members Should Care
Skilled women arrive in Seattle and hit walls that have nothing to do with talent: child care, transportation, language, and no local work history. RAI removes those specific barriers instead of asking women to overcome them alone, and the flexible at-home model means a mother is not choosing between earning and parenting.
For Nonprofits
Submit Your Event to the Vantage Community
Have an event where Vantage members can volunteer, attend, sponsor, or donate? Submit it and we'll review it for the calendar.
How To
How to Support Refugee Artisan Initiative
A step-by-step guide to supporting Refugee Artisan Initiative, one of the Puget Sound nonprofits curated by Vantage.
- 1
Learn their mission
Refugee Artisan Initiative partners with refugee and immigrant women in Seattle to build economic mobility through artisan work. Founded in 2017 by Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman, RAI treats sewing as a universal language: women arrive with different histories and languages and find common ground at the machine. Artisans train in sewing and tailoring, practice English, get help obtaining a business license, and receive ongoing mentorship toward running their own microbusiness. The products they make are one of a kind and built from upcycled material, so the work advances a circular, waste free future at the same time.
- 2
Identify how you can help
Buy the artisan-made goods, place a corporate or custom gifting order, volunteer your skills, or donate to fund training and mentorship.
- 3
Visit their website
Go to https://refugeesarts.org/ to see current campaigns, donation options, and volunteer opportunities.
- 4
Make your contribution
Donate, sign up to volunteer, or share Refugee Artisan Initiative's work with people in your network who care about Nonprofit.
Frequently Asked
Questions about Refugee Artisan Initiative
What does Refugee Artisan Initiative do?+
Refugee Artisan Initiative partners with refugee and immigrant women in Seattle to build economic mobility through artisan work. Founded in 2017 by Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman, RAI treats sewing as a universal language: women arrive with different histories and languages and find common ground at the machine. Artisans train in sewing and tailoring, practice English, get help obtaining a business license, and receive ongoing mentorship toward running their own microbusiness. The products they make are one of a kind and built from upcycled material, so the work advances a circular, waste free future at the same time.
Who does Refugee Artisan Initiative serve?+
Refugee and immigrant women in the Seattle area who want to build income and independence around the realities of child care, transportation, and learning English.
How can I support Refugee Artisan Initiative?+
Buy the artisan-made goods, place a corporate or custom gifting order, volunteer your skills, or donate to fund training and mentorship.
Where is Refugee Artisan Initiative located?+
Refugee Artisan Initiative serves the Seattle area in Seattle, Washington.
Curated by Vantage
This listing is part of the Vantage Puget Sound Directory: businesses, nonprofits, and venues worth knowing.
Browse the full directory →