PORTLAND — Through sewing lessons, sharing, and sensitivity, the Maine Stitching Academy is supporting the dreams of immigrant women to become a part of something bigger.
“We believe in celebrating, advocating, and assisting women locally and globally to achieve independence through vocational training and community connection. Preparing women for a successful career helps lift them up, offers security, and builds a more inclusive economy in Maine.”
The inspiring words of Adele Masengo Ngoy are more than aspirational, they’re a reality playing out inside the Maine Stitching Academy on 415 Congress Street in Portland. Ngoy is president and founder of Women United Around the World, a nonprofit that opened the academy in September to offer a nine-month training in professional stitching facilitated by master stitchers on commercial sewing machines, helping women gain the skills they need to obtain employment in the textile goods and fashion industries.
“Students are divided into three skill levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) and are promoted as they achieve mastery of essential skills,” said Ngoy. “Graduates will be prepared with the technical skills necessary to be a high-end tailor, clothing designer, or entrepreneur.”
Enrollment is undertaken on a rolling basis. The organization even collaborates with Maine businesses for job placement and will offer micro grants to students who complete the sewing program to assist them in purchasing a sewing machine of their own.
Though tailored to immigrant women, the course is open to any Maine resident interested in learning professional stitching as a career.
It’s a cause and organization that has inspired generosity from businesses and donors across Maine and beyond, including Norway Savings Bank, which donated $1,000 to the academy and its mission this month.
“This program is helping disenfranchised people prepare for and find jobs with local companies, creating meaningful change and breaking business barriers,” said Dan Walsh, president and CEO of Norway Savings Bank. “We’re happy to help this innovative program that is offering real assistance and guidance to participants that otherwise might not have the opportunity to translate their talent into gainful employment.”
“We are thankful for Norway Savings Bank for their belief in how large the impact of this program could be,” said Ngoy. “We want to expand our training options beyond stitching as well as offer mentorship opportunities for participants to improve their conversational English, computer literacy, and entrepreneurship readiness. Having partners in the community and business world who understand the importance and appreciate what we are trying to do means the world to us.”
Learn more about the program and other Women United Around the World initiatives at www.womenunitedaroundworld.org. To offer support, visit www.womenunitedaroundworld.org/support-us.
To discover how to enroll in the Maine Stitching Academy or if you know someone who might be interested, call 207-332-9750 or visit www.womenunitedaroundworld.org/maine-stitching-academy.
Founded in 1866, Norway Savings Bank is a leading mutual banking and financial services company headquartered in Norway, Maine. As of June 30 Norway Savings Bank had $1.912 billion in total assets; 24 branch locations; and divisions in trust and investment services, personal banking, and business banking. It has received an “Outstanding” rating for three consecutive Community Reinvestment Act Exams from the FDIC. Norway Savings has also received the Best Place for Working Parents designation in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and was recognized with the “Best Wellness Employer – Gold Certification” for the sixth year in a row by Wellness Workdays. BauerFinancial has designated the Bank the “Best of Bauer” for earning and maintaining its highest 5-star rating for 34 continuous years. For more information, visit www.norwaysavings.bank.
