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By Sarai Murdock
Esperanza Threads, a non-profit organization founded in 2000 by Sister Mary Eileen, provides sewing and fashion skills training to refugees, formerly incarcerated individuals, and low-income families. Located on Cleveland’s west side, the organization aims to build a diverse community where individuals can learn new skills and share knowledge.
Although Sister Mary Eileen officially retired in January, she continues to volunteer with classes. Emily Tiell, the current executive director of Esperanza Threads, began her career as a caseworker at Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland’s Migration and Refugee Services.
There, she helped refugees find employment, and her connection to Esperanza Threads began when one of her clients took a class there and later secured a job in a sewing manufacturing company. In 2021, Tiell became the executive director of Esperanza Threads.
“Sewing is a great skill for people who don’t have strong English skills,” Tiell said. “It allows them to support themselves and their families, and even create their own businesses.”
A Safe Space to Create
Charles Poindexter, a 46-year-old student of Esperanza Threads, first connected with the organization through Emily Tiell at the Tremont Art and Culture Festival, where he was a vendor for his boutique, U.C. ME Boutique. Tiell suggested that he take sewing classes at Esperanza Threads, and Poindexter enrolled in the program.
“The space was more than just a place to learn—it was a space of art, connection, and unity,” Poindexter said.
Poindexter’s involvement with Esperanza Threads had a significant impact on both his career and family life. He often involves his children in his work, and his life partner, Amanda, started a small business creating crystal jewelry inspired by his passion for fashion.
After completing an eight-week sewing program, Poindexter began volunteering at Esperanza Threads and later became a board member. This role allowed him to help guide the organization’s direction, support fundraising efforts, and improve the curriculum. He also launched his own upcycling and sustainable fashion brand, Cloud Nine Couture, in November 2023.
“Collaboration is where my drive is now,” Poindexter said. “I want to keep learning, sharing knowledge, and building a community of designers, artists, and crafters.”
A Transformational Experience
Joseph Vuga, a 52-year-old fashion designer from South Sudan, enrolled in a three-week refresher course at Esperanza Threads to sharpen his sewing skills. Vuga, who had prior experience in sewing, found that the training at Esperanza Threads helped him integrate into American society and advance his career.
After completing the course, Vuga received a certificate and a partially subsidized sewing machine. He secured a job as a tailor at Basony and later transitioned to a role at FlexJet, a luxury private jet company. Vuga also designs and sells African garments in his personal time.
Vuga volunteers at Esperanza Threads, sharing his knowledge with current students. He emphasized the organization’s ongoing support for students even after they complete the program, noting that he still receives guidance, support, and mentorship.
“Esperanza Threads is like a family,” Vuga said. “They listen to your concerns and are always there to help you succeed.”
Collaboration and Community
Esperanza Threads collaborates with organizations like Fashion Talks, a Cleveland-based fashion agency that hosts an annual show attended by over 700 people. In 2024, four Esperanza Threads students participated as designers in the Fashion Talks show.
Vuga participated in Fashion Talks and emphasized the importance of building connections and giving back to the community. “If people open up to me, what can I give back to society?” Vuga said.
Accessible Learning Opportunities
Esperanza Threads offers daytime and evening classes, as well as one-on-one workshops. Daytime courses focus on industrial sewing skills, providing students with machines and training for industry jobs.
“Instead of buying an industrial machine that costs around $1,000, we provide the machines so students can learn and decide if this is the path they want to pursue,” explained Chris Horne, a training director at Esperanza Threads.
Evening classes cover specific areas of sewing, such as purse making and quilting. Students come to Esperanza Threads for various reasons—some want jobs, others are pursuing fashion, and some use sewing as therapy.
Open to the Public
Esperanza Threads hosts open sewing sessions on the first and third Saturday of every month. These sessions allow the public to work on projects, receive assistance, and use the equipment in the building.
The organization also operates a fabric store that supplies materials for classes and is open to the general public. Donations of clothes and materials are accepted, and items are offered at affordable prices.
Esperanza Threads plans to expand its space to include all forms of art, creating a community where individuals can thrive. For more information, visit Esperanza Threads.
https://www.esperanzathreads.org
Sarai Murdock, born in New York and raised in Cleveland, is a local journalist, multi-disciplinary artist, and the young author of Bully Free Zone: How to Stand Up for Yourself.
