imagine
You cannot afford to buy fresh fruit and vegetables for your children.
You can't afford the "affordable care" health insurance.
No one will hire you because your English isn’t perfect, you look different, or you're too old.
This isn’t a story from some faraway land - it’s America. And it’s the daily reality for millions—including thousands right here in North Carolina.
we believe
The beauty and meaning of handcrafted items can do more than inspire—they can transform lives.
Handmade for Change is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering vulnerable individuals—unemployed or underemployed adults, immigrants, people with disabilities, and those in recovery—through hands-on skills training, entrepreneurship, and market access.
Our programs teach sewing and textile arts, candle-making, jewelry design, and other artisan crafts, paired with essential business skills such as social media marketing, customer relations, and small business management. Participants gain the confidence and tools to create marketable products and earn sustainable income.
Every item crafted by our trainees represents more than creativity—it’s a step toward economic independence, community resilience, and self-sufficiency.
By turning craft into opportunity, we uplift communities, strengthen families, restore dignity through work, and give individuals the means to build brighter futures. Our website showcases participants’ progress and provides a platform to sell their creations—connecting their talent and stories with the world.
