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We want to take a minute to formally introduce our

We want to take a minute to formally introduce our newest team member, Holly Greenhagen! Holly joined our team in February as a Technical Account Manager, while also remaining one of our client partners with her company, The Fair Shirt Project.
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She's spent 15+ years working in the industry, and she currently volunteers her time as the Chicago city lead for Fashion Revolution USA. Her experience and love for the industry make her well equipped to support the designers and brands who manufacture custom products with us.
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If you are interested in working with us and would like to schedule a meeting with Holly directly, you can drop us a line at hello@workshelter.co.
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#workshelter #ethicalmanufacturer #fairtradefashion #meetourteam #weloveouremployees #technicaldesignmanager

At WORK+SHELTER, we love working with people to tu

At WORK+SHELTER, we love working with people to turn their product ideas into tangible items. Pictured above is our lovely Director of Client Services, Amanda (right), and patternmaker Xochil Herrera Scheer (center), reviewing fabric swatches with one of our client partners.
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The truth is, a lot of work goes into developing a quality product, and whatever your experience level, we work hard to ensure the process is as easy and seamless as possible. Whether you're starting from scratch with just an idea, almost production-ready but need help buttoning up final tech pack or pattern details, or somewhere in between, our design team is here to assist with all phases of product development.
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Not sure where your product fits into the mix? Check out our blog posts at the ✨LINK IN BIO✨ for a more in-depth look at the custom product development process, or drop us a line at 💌hello@workshelter.co💌
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#workshelter #ethicalmanufacturer #fairtradefashion #productdevelopment #custommanufacturing #customproductdesign #patternmaking #techpackcreation

Look at these lovely people who planned a fun pane

Look at these lovely people who planned a fun panel for you today! Our Technical Account Manager, Holly Greenhagen seen with Apparel Industry Board, Inc.'s Member Services Coordinator, Kat Anderson. Kat will be moderating a panel with Holly and our CEO, Theresa VanderMeer today to talk about best practices when working with cut and sew contractors (like us😁). The panel will begin at 5:30pm CST, meaning there is still time to grab tickets at the ✨LINK IN BIO✨
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These photos are from a fieldtrip our team took to AIBI last week, where we learned more about how they are specifically dedicated to the needs of the sewn products industry in the Greater Chicago area. Additionally, we checked out the machinery and other resources that they offer to their members. We'll be posting a more in-depth look at the visit on our stories today, so stay tuned!
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#workshelter #apparelindustry #apparelindustryboard #aibi #aibichicago #ethicalmanufacturing #fairtradefashion

☝️UPDATE☝️ We’re back in business (part

☝️UPDATE☝️

We’re back in business (partially)! Thank you to all who have been patient with us and supported our employees throughout such a difficult time. We’re excited to open at partial capacity and producing as much as we can with many new COVID safety protocols in place, keeping the women safe + healthy.
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If you have questions about the current status of your order or you’re looking to place a new order, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at hello@workshelter.co for more info.💜💗
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#workshelter #ethicalmanufacturer #fairtradefashion #covidcrisisindia #covidrelief

We are so excited to announce that we not only met

We are so excited to announce that we not only met our goal of $25k, but we smashed it! And it's all thanks to YOU + your generous donations. We currently have raised over $33k via multiple campaigns.
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These donations have already made a HUGE impact, and continue to be distributed swiftly and thoughtfully on the ground where it matters most. The funds collected so far are going directly towards:

+ Continuing to pay each woman her full salary throughout lockdown, whether she is able to work from home or not
+ Purchasing electricity-free sewing machines for the women to make masks from home
+ Providing free, healthy meals to people in our neighborhood, COVID patients and medical staff
+ Covering costs of medication, equipment, and other healthcare expenses
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We will continue to collect funds throughout the duration of lockdown to ensure that all of the women of WORK+SHELTER, their families, and our neighbors have everything they need to stay safe and healthy as we ride this out.
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Click the ✨LINK IN BIO✨ to donate today or learn more about our campaign!
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#workshelter #covid_19 #covidcrisis #covidcrisisindia #covidsupport #covidrelief #covidreliefindia #fairtrade

Shown above is our Founder + CEO Theresa VanderMee

Shown above is our Founder + CEO Theresa VanderMeer with our Strategic Projects Manager Nitu Choudhary, enjoying their time together in India back in 2019. Now, we fast forward to 2021 and things are looking much different as India continues to suffer through another terrifying wave of COVID-19.
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Join Theresa and Nitu this upcoming Monday 5/17 at 10am CST as they’ll be hosting an Instagram Live to share more about what’s currently happening on the ground in India. Nitu, will talk us through the following topics:

+ How the crisis is affecting our employees + community
+ Why we've decided to momentarily pivot into providing humanitarian aid in addition to our usual income generation activities
+ Updates on how the donated funds are being allocated
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You can click the ✨LINK IN BIO✨ to add this event to your calendar. See you there!
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#workshelter #covid19 #covidcrisis #covidcrisisindia #covidsupport #covidreliefindia #fairtrade

At WORK+SHELTER, it’s all about the people behin

At WORK+SHELTER, it’s all about the people behind the product and right now those people are in-trouble. We ask for your continued donations and support as we raise funds to provide COVID relief throughout India.
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One thing that we love most about our client partners is that they’re drawn to us through their desire to support our mission— it’s the most valuable thing that we offer at WORK+SHELTER, the opportunity to support women in-need in India through purchasing our ethically-made products.
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Sana Javeri Kadri, founder + CEO of @diasporaco is a perfect example of this. Her company’s mission focuses on building a better spice trade by working with farmers in India, who, similar to WORK+SHELTER, are paid a fair, livable wage to harvest these spices, which is on average 6x more than the commodity price.
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Under normal circumstances, we’d be busy producing the next round of bright yellow Diaspora totes, but with lockdown in full swing and production on pause we’re focusing our efforts elsewhere. The women who are capable and remaining healthy are using the leftover fabric scraps from the tote bags to make masks at home for the local community (swipe to see).
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We are so grateful to work with client partners who care so deeply about our mission and the strong women behind it all. Thank you.💗
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#workshelter #diaspora #covid19 #covidsupport #covidreliefinIndia #womensupportingwomen #fairtrade

India is in crisis. I’m sure you know that alrea

India is in crisis. I’m sure you know that already. COVID recorded deaths and cases have been explosive, jumping by 47x in just two weeks.

In February NPR wrote about the mystery of India’s low case count. I had been wondering about that too.

In the US, I watched how even very cautious people got sick and died, including one of our beloved WORK+SHELTER advisors.

And so when I thought about India, drawing from half a decade of experience living there, I too wondered how these stats could be true.

I thought about the large households living together, and how the sense of family is so much beautifully broader and closer than what we experience in the US.

I thought about how much people rely on one another, sharing food with neighbors, and how many households have a division of labor that includes outside help.

But things seemed to be ok.

Now we know that even if they were, they aren’t now.

“People are dying everywhere.”

This is a direct quote from my head staff in India. Our colleagues in Delhi are scared. They’re all quarantining at home, some are sick and resting while others are keeping busy sewing masks to give away.

As always, the health and well-being of our employees in India is our top priority. But at this moment we are adding to that list of priorities - we are expanding to their communities, communities where safety nets are weak and where income has totally disappeared.

Here’s the part where I ask you to help with that. Please give to our artisan and community fund. Every single penny will go direct to folks who need help RIGHT NOW.

https://workshelter.org/support/

We will share more about where the funds are going, but know medical care and cash distributions in our community are at the top of the list.

Thank you. I love you. Be safe.

Theresa VanderMeer
Founder and CEO

Photo credit: NY Times

WORK+SHELTER may not be here today without Allyson

WORK+SHELTER may not be here today without Allyson Dykhuizen.
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When we first began nearly a decade ago we started by knitting products because sewing machines were expensive, and knitting needles were cheap. Allyson, a master knitter and designer, developed them. She also sold those patterns on the internet and donated all of the proceeds to WORK+SHELTER, a huge lifeline for us in those early years.
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As many of you may have seen in the news, the COVID crisis in India is continuing to worsen and they are in dire need of help + supplies. One easy way that you can contribute is by participating in Allyson’s De-Stash Fundraiser (@allysondykhuizen_destash) on Monday, May 3rd, where she’ll be selling a selection of her beautifully handmade garments and donating the proceeds to WORK+SHELTER.
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Our main concern is the health and safety of our employees and their families. All of the funds we receive will go directly towards supporting the women of WORK+SHELTER during this critical time. Keep an eye out for additional ways to contribute in the next few days.
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#workshelter #covid19 #covidsupport #womensupportingwomen #fairtrade

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