The integration workshop Des femmes en fil offers contracts ranging from 4 to 24 months, renewable 3 times depending on the difficulties and objectives to be achieved, aimed at women.
To participate, several criteria must be met, such as being long-term unemployed, a single parent, or having a disability. “It is also important to measure the interest in sewing or at least to see that the person has manual intelligence,” emphasizes Farida Abid.
Many of the participants do not speak French or have been victims of violence. This is where comprehensive support allows for consideration of all aspects of the person to provide the best help. For example, during group sessions, interviews with psychologists, and coaches.
“Sewing is a magical support that has many therapeutic virtues, helping to stop compulsive thinking,” says Farida Abid. “Making something yourself is also very rewarding and quite quick. In one day, you can already create a whole object or at least a part of it.”
“When these women arrive, they are rough diamonds, and we allow them to refine and dust themselves off, and to truly see what their desires and dreams are, and to exist for themselves. This is also what they learn with us; it’s a professional posture, but also an inner posture.”
