Social Impact Partnerships
Our company is grateful to have a number of local & regional partnerships focused on increasing our social impact. Sonoran Stitch Factory is currently working on initiatives in:
- Workforce development for the sewing industry
- Career pathways for people with disabilities
- Refugee hiring programs with local nonprofits
- Entrepreneurial/economic development to support startups in fashion & sewn goods
- Internships & experiential learning for students in college & high school
Workforce Training for
Cut & Sew Employees
The City of Tucson recently approved an agreement with Moonshot, a 21-year-old 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 2022 and aims to train approximately one hundred people per year to help them seek employment in this growing industry sector.
Courses are taught by instructors at the Sonoran Stitch Factory. These cohorts will provide trainees with hands-on experience in industrial sewing machines including practice on walking feet machines, single stitch, serger, and cover stitch machines.
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To learn more, visit the Arizona Stitch Lab
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/
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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
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Refugee Hiring Programs
In partnership with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest's Refugee & Immigration Services and the International Rescue Committe of Tucson, Sonoran Stitch Factory has provided employment opportunities to a number of experienced sewers that have moved to the State of Arizona.
College Internships & Experiential Learning
Over the past few years, a number of college students from Pima Community College and the University of Arizona have interned at Sonoran Stitch Factory. Interns have worked on the manufacturing floor in areas such as production or shipping. Others have worked in our offices coordinating sales, marketing, human resources, or technology. Sonoran Stitch is also proud of some of our interns who have stayed after graduation to join us as full-time employees.
Sonoran Stitch has also offered experiential learning opportunities. During the 2021-22 academic year, first-year students in the Eller MBA Advantage Program worked in consulting teams to solve business challenges in sales, human resources, and operations.
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Our company has also hosted tours and educational workshops for a number of career and STEM exploration events for nonprofit or public partners such as Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership and more.
