RIO GRANDE – For those experiencing homelessness or are at risk, Cape Hope hosts a sewing workshop, called Hope Sewn In, every Tuesday to help attendees develop skills, create tangible items, and “experience a beauty they may not have experienced in a long time.”

That’s a quote from Chaplain Denise Venturini-South, Cape Hope president and CEO. The program is based on one of the organization’s founding principles, which says that learning enables people to forge a path upward.

“Cape Hope is looking to find solutions, not band-aids,” she said, “and this program is designed to give attendees a skill, dignity, and promote encouragement. Attendees are realizing they can make something beautiful, which they may not have experienced in a long time.”

The sewing workshop, called Hope Sewn In, started in August and meets every Tuesday at 4:30 pm. at the Cape Hope office in Rio Grande. Participants learn how to sew on donated machines using pre-loved fabric and supplies. Volunteers cut patterns of aprons, pillows, pot holders, oven mitts, cell phone holders, and other items that are made and eventually sold at fundraisers and Cape Hope events.

“We all have talents, and this workshop is designed to pull out those talents,” Venturini-South said. “Programs like this give people a skill, and hopefully it helps them to gain employment.”

Cape Hope is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides services like emergency shelter, transitional housing, case management, employment assistance, and education opportunities for those experiencing homelessness or at risk. They advertise their programs through flyers, social media, local churches and other non-profit organizations.

At a meeting at the Seashore Community Church Oct. 13, Venturini-South and others discussed the “crisis of homelessness” that persists on the Cape May peninsula and shared details on two planned homeless shelters spearheaded by the group. The underlying theme of the night was that Cape May County, as a government entity and as a community, is not doing enough to address the situation.

So far only women from the community have attended Hope Sewn In, but Venturini-South said anyone can join. Most of the women are in their mid 40s, but seniors over 65 attend as well.

The group will take orders for specific items. Send requests to capehopecares@gmail.com. There are no prices on the items as they are sold for donations. Items will be next available at Cape Hope’s Community Dialogue on January 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Erma.

Contact the reporter, Karen Knight, at kknight@cmcherald.com