Support Immigrant & Refugee Women in Carpentry!
Did you know that Hammerstone partners every year with Open Doors English (ODE) to offer a free Basic Skills Carpentry class for Immigrant and Refugee women? This National Women in Construction Week, alongside International Women’s Day, we’re excited to celebrate this powerful initiative!
Hammerstone conceived this class in 2017 to support women from communities affected by the Trump administration’s immigrant bans. What started as a small act of kindness has now grown into a vital program that empowers women with valuable carpentry skills and fosters cross-cultural connections. To date, we’ve trained 62 immigrant and refugee women in basic carpentry!
Here's what past participants have shared about their experiences:
“I wanted to take the carpentry class because my daughter had been making things at home. Before the class, I didn’t realize how many women could do carpentry. It was so empowering to learn that women can do anything. Carpentry is an art, and it’s so rewarding working with wood. The Hammerstone team made us feel so welcome and taught us with patience and kindness. My best memory? All of us happily making our boxes!”
— Luz, from Colombia
“I joined the class to learn a new skill. Before, I had no experience with carpentry and never saw a woman doing it. The staff was friendly, respectful, and so passionate. My proudest moment was completing my box. The class made me more confident, and I’d love to do more carpentry projects. If it wasn’t free and for women, I wouldn’t have been able to join. I felt at ease and supported throughout.”
— Martina, from Germany
This year, we’re expanding beyond our ODE partnership and opening this class to more women in the community. We need your help to make it possible! Hammerstone is now a nonprofit, and we rely on donations to continue offering free carpentry classes and support to women from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. The total cost for this class (including lunch and free childcare) is $4,500. Can you help with a donation of any size to support Hammerstone?
What does my donation support?
Cover the cost of fees for students
Maintaining the space and updating tools for classes
Providing free lunch and childcare
Paying teachers and expanding outreach to reach more women and gender minority students
Examples of how your donation supports Hammerstone:
$13/month – Subsidizes a student’s sliding scale fee.
$30/month – Covers the full cost for a student in the free Immigrant and Refugee class, including materials, lunch, and childcare.
$50/month – Helps purchase new tools to ensure smooth class operations, including two drill and driver sets.
One-time donation of $4,500 – Funds a full class for immigrant and refugee women.
Every donation, big or small, makes a lasting impact. Join us in empowering women with the skills and confidence to succeed.
Donate today and help us keep making a difference!
