The Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, today announced an investment of more than $260,000 through the Labour Market Partnership Program to support Newbornlander’s innovative Sewing Hope initiative.

This two-year initiative provides refugee women with sewing and English as an additional language training, equipping them with the skills needed to build brighter futures for themselves and their families and explore future employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. The first group of Sewing Hope participants began their training this month and are on track to complete the initiative by summer 2025.

Newbornlander, a local social enterprise specializing in sustainable and ethically manufactured accessories, has also partnered with the Northpine Foundation, which has contributed $465,000 in funding to the initiative.

Now operating for seven years, Newbornlander is committed to empowering refugee and other newcomer women by addressing barriers to employment, such as language proficiency and limited Canadian work experience.

By investing in programs like Sewing Hope, the Provincial Government continues to recognize the vital contributions immigrant entrepreneurs and skilled newcomers make to the economy and community.

This funding supports the Provincial Government’s efforts to introduce empowerment-focused employment initiatives for newcomer women and positions the province as a national leader on newcomer settlement and retention.

Quotes
“Empowering refugee women is a critical step towards building a stronger, more inclusive workforce in our province. Through the Sewing Hope program, we’re not only equipping women with essential skills but are enabling their future financial independence and growing our economy. We are proud to support Newbornlander’s efforts to reduce barriers faced by immigrant and refugee women.”
Honourable Sarah Stoodley
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

“We are thrilled to partner with Newbornlander on this vital initiative. This program provides refugee women with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the workforce and addresses the isolation and disempowerment they often face. By investing in social enterprises like Newbornlander, we are also bringing communities closer and strengthening the local economy in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Bayan Khatib
Impact Director – Refugees, Northpine Foundation

“Newbornlander is a social enterprise founded by immigrants, dedicated to empowering women to dream big, build meaningful connections, and make a difference in their communities. With support from the Northpine Foundation and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, we equip refugee women with the skills and confidence to succeed in the workforce. We invite the private sector to embrace the potential of refugee women. Trained by Newbornlander, they are ready to make a meaningful impact, fostering innovation and creativity within your organization.”
Constanza Safatle Ferrari
Newbornlander Founder and CEO

-30-