With the art studio well underway, it became apparent that there were more paths to reclaiming autonomy than just painting or drawing.

We have a houseful of women who can sew and a few who are professionals; in fact, wedding dress makers.

Once more, we turned to our generous donors to underwrite our sewing project. We have a well-stocked sewing center boasting sewing machines, fabrics, threads and a variety of theatrical costumes available for our stage productions, which we write, choreograph and build sets for ourselves.

With the rustling of fabrics; the precise and careful intention of snipping scissors; and the intermittent rhythms of sewing machines at work, the seamstresses are busy making tablecloths, dolls, and hand-painted, embroidered tote bags as well as mending and sewing for the other residents.

This old world skillset is not only practical but it also helps to cultivate an atmosphere of familial care. And while the Sewing Center was initially conceived as a way to create opportunities for individual autonomy, their contribution within the household has considerably enhanced our interdependence as a community.