Stitch Buffalo, a Textile Art Center Empowering Refugee and Immigrant Women Through the Sale of their Handcrafted Goods, Expands Community Impact on Buffalo’s West Side
ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County Cultural Capital grants, awarded to cultural organizations to spur capital improvements they might otherwise not be able to conduct on their own, are having a positive effect on communities across Erie County. Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz today joined the Executive Director of Stitch Buffalo, Dawne Hoeg, and Stitch Buffalo’s Board President Patricia Watson, along with personnel from the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning, at Stitch Buffalo to review the work done there.
With the support of the $200,000 Erie County Cultural Capital Grant, along with funds from private foundations and individual donors, Stitch Buffalo transformed a vacant West Side building into a bright and spacious facility that meets their growing needs for retail, classroom, and studio space. The investment allowed Stitch Buffalo to expand operations in their Refugee Women’s Workshop, increase the capacity of Community Classes, and enhance the reach of their Second Stitch program for sustainability.
“These improvements at Stitch Buffalo are emblematic of what our cultural capital grants are intended to do: help cultural institutions augment their offerings, employ and empower more people, and strengthen our community overall,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “These grants are investments not only in our cultural organizations, but in our people and in a stronger Erie County.”
“Funding from Erie County at the beginning of our capital campaign was integral to building momentum in our fundraising efforts. Knowing we had the confidence of the County encouraged other funders to support our big vision for the future of Stitch Buffalo as a comprehensive textile center to serve residents of all ages and skill levels,” said Dawne Hoeg, Executive Director of Stitch Buffalo. “We are grateful for Erie County’s investment in making Buffalo a vibrant home for the arts—and a place where building a diverse community matters.”
Stitch Buffalo’s Refugee Women’s Workshop, which empowers resettled refugee and immigrant women through skill development and economic opportunities, now serves a larger number of participants. The expanded space allows for improved community building, expanded instruction opportunities, and a retail area that maximizes the sale of goods created by these talented artisans. Their Community Classes have also seen significant growth, with increased offerings and capacity for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including underserved populations and students from local schools. The new facility accommodates multiple classes simultaneously, provides essential studio space, and fosters meaningful interactions among community members—all of which contribute to the well-being and creative development of class participants. Additionally, the expanded space for Second Stitch has improved their ability to process and offer low-cost, sustainably sourced supplies, serving a wider community of local creatives who rely on these resources. The dedicated retail area now accommodates daily access to a full range of textile materials, supporting both individual makers and larger community-based projects.
For more information:
About Stitch Buffalo, visit https://www.stitchbuffalo.org/
About the EC Department of Environment and Planning, visit https://www3.erie.gov/environment/
# # #
