** Our new target is $50,000! **

The SisterWorks family is ecstatic to have reached our target goal of $30,000. Thank you so much to everyone who has pledged their support and made this possible!

Our new target is now $50,000. With an extra $20,000 we would be able to replace more of our worn out equipment and further develop the new Creative Cooking & Catering business.

Having run our own Design Lab for almost a year now, we have realised the importance of training the women on a uniform set of sewing machines. Our current sewing machines are different models and ages and in constant need of repair, making training and progress difficult. The women also need access to a refrigerated transport vehicle and a food business manager to guide them with the new Creative Cooking & Catering business and the associated Food Safety requirements.   

Develop the Sisters Businesses

Who we are

SisterWorks is a non-profit social enterprise 'Handmade with Love in Melbourne' that supports women who are migrant, asylum seeker or refugees to become financially independent and happily settled in Australia. We achieve this by supporting and mentoring the women to develop their own businesses in craft or food.

Every woman has experience, skills and knowledge, but for those with migrant, asylum seeker or refugee backgrounds gaining employment is difficult because of language barriers, lack of Western culture knowledge, poor employment skills and being the carer of their families. We firmly believe that Work Empowers Women and our social mission is to help as many of these women as possible into work.

In February this year, SisterWorks opened its first premises at 393 Swan Street, Richmond which gave us vital space for:

• our own retail shop 
• central hub and meeting place
• small children’s play area
• a Design Lab 
• a Business Lab

With the support of the local council, SisterWorks has also gained access to kitchen facilities for the women to train for the new Creative Cooking and Catering business.

Why we need your support

Much of the existing equipment currently being used by the women to make their products need to be replaced as they are nearing the end of their working life. We also need access to a commercial kitchen for the women to run their Creative Cooking and Catering Business from. Your donation (tax deductible for donations over AU$2) will go towards purchasing new items such as sewing machines, craft materials and cookware, as well as the rental fees for a commercial kitchen.

Win a handmade quilt simply by referring your friends & family!

From 8 December 2016 until the end of the campaign (19 January 2016) we are holding a Referral Competition where the winner gets to take home this beautiful handmade quilt (currently on display in our shop window at 393 Swan St, Richmond VIC).

How does it work? The winner is the person who brings in the highest amount of donations through their referrals (total dollars, not number of donors) by the end of the competition period (8/12/16 – 19/1/17). The winner will be announced on 20 January 2017.

How to enter:

1. Register and Share: Register your name, email address and contact number with [email protected]. Share the crowdfunding campaign with all your friends and family.
2. Have your friend or family member contact SisterWorks when they make a pledge ([email protected]). Ask them to include in their email message that they have been referred to the campaign by you (your full name and email address).

Contact [email protected] for more information and full Terms and Conditions.

The SisterWorks Journey - From Humble Beginnings...

The SisterWorks journey began three and a half years ago with a lot of human investment and little money. 25 women, new to Australia, found they each faced the same obstacles; how to earn an income, learn English, make friends and build ties with their community. By working together and supporting each other, they began selling selling their handmade crafts around Greater Melbourne.

Operating as a non-profit social enterprise, SisterWorks also receives support in the form of grants, donations and philanthropy. Public support has given SisterWorks the opportunity to build a sustainable business framework, which in turn has seen revenue from the womens businesses grow steadily each year that can then be re-invested into the organisation.

What started out as 25 women making handmade crafts from each others homes and selling them in markets and stores across Greater Melbourne has now become a respected Melbourne social enterprise known for providing support and meaningful financial development for women new to Australia.

Through the hard work of our 57 volunteers, 4 part-time staff and support from the community, SisterWorks today has:

• 88 women regularly participating in our program
• 35 women selling their products or services through us
• 18 women generating and managing their own work opportunities outside of SisterWorks
• 4 women have moved into paid employment or internships in their field
• Our own retail space to sell and showcase the womens best products, increasing their work opportunities and giving them the opportunity to gain practical experience in a retail setting
• A Design Lab where our group of skilled volunteers support the development and innovation of the womens products
• A Business Lab where the women can work on their business skills using our 'learning by doing' approach
• Access to kitchen facilities for training purposes provided by the local council for the new Creative Cooking and Catering business venture.

• Two industrial sewing machines: $3,000
• One industrial overlocking machine: $1,500
• Three height-adjustable work benches: $1,500
• Quality craft supplies - 
  • 20 yards of ethically sourced hemp: $400
  • 100% wool yarn (50 colours, 100gm): $500
  • 15 litres of screen printing paint (15 colours): $525

  • candle making materials (75kg soy wax $375, 8l fragrance $300, 250 jars $375, 250 wicks $40, jar labels $20): $1,110

• e-commerce software & development for one year: $5,000
• Cooking sets and measuring tools: $7,500
• One year's rental fees for a commercial kitchen for the Creative Cooking and Catering business (average of 5 catered events per month = $1,000 per month x 12 months): $12,000 
• Total:  $31,610

** How The Funds Will Be Used If We Reach Our New Target **

• Five heavy duty domestic sewing machines: $2,500
• One year's rental fees for refrigerated van for transporting food (average 5 catered events per month = $500 x 12 months): $6,000
• 6 month's salary for an experienced food business manager: $18,000
• Total: $26,500 

• Grand Total: (Initial target %20 new target) $57,210

By 2020 SisterWorks aims to:

• create pathways for 200 women to move into employment and entrepreneurship
• have at least 30% of the SisterWorks income to come from the revenue generated from the womens businesses
• develop a strong business model to allow SisterWorks to develop other social enterprises

Based on our performance to date and current projections these goals are within our reach. By helping SisterWorks to purchase new equipment and supplies for the women to work with, you will bring us closer to achieving our 2020 goals and ultimately support more women in finding financial independence, confidence and happiness in their new home.

To learn more about us and the Sisters visit our website; SisterWorks, or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/sisterworksinc).