UB graduate students from social work, management, and arts and sciences meet with Stitch Buffalo’s founder, Dawne Hoeg, to learn more about how the UB Social Impact Fellows program can help refugee women.

In addition to selling their one-of-a-kind crafts at Stitch Buffalo’s physical storefront on Niagara Street and through their online Etsy store, the refugee women artisans also embellish clothing on commission and create items for corporate gifts and bridal parties.

Upcycled materials are donated by the community and provided to Stitch Buffalo refugee women artists at no charge.

UB social work student Kristie Bailey (far right) and Xingyu Chen (center), a PhD student in Global Gender Studies, look over inventory at the Stitch Buffalo storefront on Buffalo’s West Side.

Hand-embroidered peace pins created by Buffalo’s refugee women symbolize the unity of all people, a perfect message for an organization that helps advance social justice and build stronger communities.

Buffalo supporters share the “Buffalove” with these one-of-a-kind heart pins, hand-embroidered by the refugee women at Stitch Buffalo. These pins have also become popular with residents of the Buffalo Bayou region of Texas.

UB social work student Kristie Bailey (left) and Xingyu Chen (center), a PhD student in Global Gender Studies, review their recommendations for Stitch Buffalo.

Stitch Buffalo’s refugee artisans hand-embroider elephants to symbolize success, wisdom and companionship. All items are available for sale at the organization’s storefront at 1215 Niagara St., Buffalo, and at their online Etsy store.