Career Pathways for People with Disabilities

Sonoran Stitch Factory partners with the University of Arizona’s Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities (Sonoran UCEDD) to train youth on workplace skills through community based learning. Students from Amphitheater High School and Intermountain Academy have been able to work on kitting, fulfillment and shipping projects. Along with professionals from the Sonoran Center, students are able to get coaching on how to perform work activities.

The mission of the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities is to ensure that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the support they need to fully take part in the life of our community. Learn more at: https://sonoranucedd.fcm.arizona.edu/

We also partner with Workability, a UCP of Southern Arizona employment services program. WorkAbility is an individualized and supportive employment program dedicated to teaching and preparing people with disabilities for competitive, integrated and sustainable work opportunities in the Tucson area. Learn more at: Workability - UCPSA

Refugee Hiring Programs

 In partnership with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest’s Refugee & Immigration Services and the International Rescue Committee of Tucson, Sonoran Stitch Factory has provided meaningful employment opportunities to experienced sewers who have recently relocated to Arizona. Many of these individuals bring years of technical skill and craftsmanship with them, and this work creates a pathway to apply those skills in a stable, supportive environment while rebuilding their lives.

This collaboration helps ease the transition into a new community by offering consistent work, income, and a sense of continuity in their trade. At the same time, Sonoran Stitch Factory benefits from the depth of knowledge and global perspective these makers bring to the production floor. It becomes a mutually supportive exchange where talent is recognized, economic independence is fostered, and a more inclusive, resilient local manufacturing community takes shape.

College Internships & Experiential Learning

Students from Pima Community College and the University of Arizona have interned at Sonoran Stitch Factory, working across production, shipping, and office roles in sales, marketing, HR, and technology. We support University of Arizona independent study internships for college credit. 

We also engage in experiential learning. In the 2021–22 academic year, first-year students in the Eller MBA Advantage Program partnered with us in consulting teams to tackle projects in sales, HR, and operations.

In addition, we host tours and workshops for career and STEM exploration through partnerships with organizations like the Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership and local high schools, and we serve as a Pima County Summer Youth Program job sponsor for high school students.

Most recently, we’ve partnered with Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona’s adult re-entry program, providing job training for individuals re-entering the workforce. 

Workforce Training for

Industrial Sewists

 In 2021, the City of Tucson approved an agreement with Moonshot, a 20+ year-old non-profit business incubator program, and Sonoran Stitch Factory, to create and operate a workforce accelerator program in industrial sewn goods manufacturing. The first cohort launched in January of 2022 and trained approximately 250 people over 4 years, helping them seek employment in this growing industry sector. 

Courses were taught by instructors at the Sonoran Stitch Factory. These cohorts provided trainees with hands-on experience in industrial sewing machines including practice on walking feet machines, single stitch, serger, and cover stitch machines. 

As of 2025, the Arizona Stitch Lab was moved to Phoenix for further funding opportunities. To learn more, visit the Arizona Stitch Lab

Registered Apprenticeship Program Sponsor 

 Sonoran Stitch Factory is a registered sponsor in the Arizona Apprenticeship Program, a workforce development initiative designed to create structured, paid, on‑the‑job training pathways in skilled trades. As a registered sponsor, Sonoran Stitch Factory works in alignment with state and federal standards to provide hands‑on training, mentorship, and progressive skill-building for apprentices in sewn goods manufacturing. This includes clearly defined learning milestones, wage progression tied to skill development, and a commitment to high-quality training that prepares participants for long-term careers in the industry.

Being a registered sponsor also means Sonoran Stitch Factory plays an active role in strengthening the local manufacturing workforce and preserving technical skills that are often lost in outsourced production models. Apprentices gain real production experience in a supportive environment while earning income, making the pathway accessible to a broader range of individuals. At the same time, the program helps build a more resilient local economy by developing skilled workers who can support emerging brands and established businesses alike, reinforcing Tucson’s capacity for creative and ethical manufacturing.

Local fashion support

Sonoran Stitch Factory has sponsored and participated in multiple fashion shows across the Tucson area, including the TenWest Festival, Park Place Mall, and collaborations with Art State Arizona and Roche Diagnostics. These events create space for emerging brands to be seen, giving startups a platform to share their work, connect with audiences, and begin building momentum.

Beyond brand exposure, these shows also support the broader creative community. Local models, hair stylists, and makeup artists are able to gain experience, develop their portfolios, and find new opportunities through this work. In this way, each event becomes more than a runway. It becomes a shared ecosystem where designers, makers, and creatives grow together, strengthening both entrepreneurial pathways and the local economy.