“Two hours a week is the best for me,” says Raida Albakosh. “It changed my life”.
Raida is talking about the Parkwood Hills Women’s Craft Group. The group chooses the projects they want to work on—and there have been many. When Syrian refugees arrived in this west end neighbourhood, the group organized a potluck and presented the newcomers with handmade clothes.
During the 3-4 years since the women started the group, they’ve also had sewing skills lessons, food safety and preparation workshops from the City of Ottawa, and sales of crafts and food.
The women are building skills, connections with others and making their community a stronger place. The skills they are building are also helpful in the working world. For example, Raida says the she had previously been nervous about job interviews. iSisters ran a resume building workshops and Raida now has two jobs. Additionally, several of the women’s volunteer placements have helped them get paid work.
The Parkwood Hills Women’s Craft Group gets together every Thursday from 11 am to 1 pm at 1143 Meadowlands Drive (near Chesterton) in the Minto Party Room, in the Police Recreation Building that is in between Seneca and Huron Towers. New people are always welcome. Learn more about the meeting time and location here.
The group is supported by the Community Development Framework, including strong partnerships with the Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode Community Resource Centre; Minto; City of Ottawa; United Way Ottawa; and South Nepean Satellite Community Health Centre.