Equity for Resettling Women Refugees

Income inequality

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Through our partnerships and voluntary workshops with resettlement agencies some of the biggest challenges women refugees face is integration into American society, work development and finding community. Ultimately, these factors have become perpetual roadblocks, trapping an entire demographic in this experience.
Through our programs we have experienced our team’s struggles first-hand. Our team members from Middle Eastern countries have never been encouraged to work and now they have been forced to become the breadwinners for their families. Language barriers and transportation are factors that add to these challenges. Our LGBTQIA members are survivors that have untreated PTSD due to the violence they have endured and are unable to integrate into society. Racial discrimination in work spaces and lack of support has left many people from African communities unemployed & helpless.

With our program we offer training, skill building workshops, as well as an individualized supportive approach based on language proficiency, experience, or unique circumstances. By creating employment we want to ensure that women resettling in Los Angeles have what they need to rebuild their lives. Resettlement agencies such as The International Rescue Committee, Program For Torture Victims, The Downtown Womens Center connect us to new arrivals, women resettling in the Los Angeles area in need of a job in a safe and supportive environment. Using familiar skills in hand embroidery, knitting, crocheting and weaving, we create products within our existing collections : Apparel, Home Goods, Accessories, Baby Goods, Gifts.
Our goal is to create equitable opportunities for women as part of their resettlement journey into the United States that allows them to work using familiar skills, get back their identity and live with dignity, creating products that showcase culture and traditional artistry. Each product tells the story of the artist behind it and through community effort we want to encourage people to shop local, support the local economy with made in the USA products that empower immigrants by welcoming their culture into the American landscape.

With the integration of different cultures comes a culmination of arts, handicrafts, cuisine & experiences. This is exactly what sets Los Angeles apart from other cities. Economists also agree that the effects of immigration on the US economy are broadly positive.
Our Neococo platform enables individuals to immediately start working and being self-sufficient which allows them to further their capabilities by investing in education.Equity in the sense of providing for their families, being self sufficient and a sense of belonging.This also allows for a smooth integration into society instead of being segregated into low income areas. Economic well being enables affordable housing which makes communities safer & healthier. Living in safer communities means access to better school systems as well.

We have two measures of success: -How many womxn have joined our program
-How has our program enabled each artisan, not just financially, but also emotionally, socially and psychologically. 1. All 6 members are on their paths to being self-sufficient and contribute financially to their families. Most have gotten off food stamps, contribute rent, groceries and pay for healthcare.
2. They are now proficient in English.
3. A Middle Eastern refugee who was sharing a studio space with her two sons can now afford her own living space.
4. A survivor of domestic violence is now back on her feet and supports her 3 year old. 5. A Latin American transgender woman has overcome a lifetime of discrimination and can now afford low income housing.
6. A woman from Uganda worked with us part time while she did a course to be a Sterile Processing Technician and is now looking for an entry level position. As a community, working together and having a support group enables our team connect and heal.