Furnishing Hope is designing a program in which recipients of our programs can participate in the Pillow Project to produce additional income while at home. Our recipients who receive home furnishings from Furnishing Hope are low-income families receiving HUDD VASH housing, employed and earning a minimum wage of approximately $22,880.00 a year. The low-income level in Orange County is $61,250 for an individual and $92,700 for a family of 4. When you look at the finances it’s understandable that so many families struggle to survive in Orange County.
Furnishing Hope will provide recipients with a sewing machine, supplies, (thread, bobbins, zippers) and beautiful fabric from local design showrooms in Costa Mesa and Laguna Niguel. We will teach them to sew! We will pay them monthly to make pillows which will be sold in our store in Westcliff Plaza, Newport Beach. Each participating recipient must become certified in the art of the perfect pillow:
- Level one, pillows with zippers.
- Level Two, welt and pillows with zippers,
- Level Three, welt and ornamentation.
When proficient, a recipient should be able to sew 1 pillow in 20 minutes. In one hour, after the kids go to bed recipients should be able to sew 3 pillows an hour earning $30.00 per hour. We anticipate most participants earning $100 a week or $400 per month. This is a car payment and a phone bill, a month of groceries or funding for one of life’s unexpected events. This program will empower them to become self-sufficient and provide a better life for their families.
We are looking for volunteers who will mentor our recipients as they become seamstresses. If you are interested in becoming involved in the Pillow Project please email Beth@furnishinghope.org
