The YWCA Westmoreland announces the launch of the new YWCAmakers program. The concept of the program is to “connect and strengthen the Maker community” of Westmoreland County.
The Maker community is made up of individuals located within Westmoreland County that create handmade crafts. The one-of-a-kind items they make include a variety of everyday items from jewelry to furniture, etc.
The program is set forth to remove racism and empower women which follows the mission of the YWCA. The makers program will put forth these actions by providing more opportunities for job growth and economic development for the Maker community in Westmoreland County.
“One of the needs we saw in the county was that people were making beautiful crafts,” said Alexis Hough, YWCAmakers program specialist. “The program is intended to equip these individuals with business skills to have a chance to create a sustainable business.”
Jan. 27th, the first rounds of application for cohorts opened and the application process will close Feb. 19th.
The program is a cohort-style crash course that features, Maker-to-market business skill workshops. Members of the cohort will have the chance for networking opportunities as well as their own featured selling space in the YWCA Thrift Shop located at 221 S Maple Ave in Greensburg.
The Maker community will be connected by the program through the meetup.com group MakersMeet Westmoreland, at no cost. This group will meet throughout the county to network the Makers with community members.
“These individuals will go through 12 weeks of business courses,” Hough said. “The courses are primarily the need to know things such as marketing and branding.”
The 12-week business courses will take place at the YWCA location; 424 N Main St., Greensburg, Pa. The business skills workshops will take begin March 4, 2020 every Wednesday evening from 6-9 p.m. and end May 20, 2020.
“The program is open to all kinds of creations, big and small,” said Hough.
Makers 18 years and older located in the Southwestern Pa. region are eligible to apply. Residents located within Westmoreland County shall receive priority during the application review process.
The first YWCAmakers cohort will receive 50% off tuition for the program. The tuition covers workshops and materials covered through the 12-week course and also 30 days consignment for the Maker’s goods in the YWCA Thrift Shop, YWCA Westmoreland County membership and a digital profile on the program’s website.
The members of the program will be the first to join the YWCAmakers Alumni Network.
Interested Makers can apply at ywcamakers.org. For more information visit the website, email Alexis Hough atAlexisH@ywcawestmoreland.org or give us a call at 724-834-9390.
Make sure to give this new program a follow on their Facebook and Instagram.
