Something is being altered in an upstairs room near the courthouse square in Cleveland, Tenn. Walking up the stairs to the offices of Free2Fly, the sounds of women's voices and a sewing machine can be heard. These alterations have something to do with the sewing, but are more the result of the joining of the women's voices.
Hailey Johnston started Free2Fly in January to train women to sew and to make products for sale, such as purses, key fobs, wallets and bags. The nonprofit organization was formed to help women who find themselves in difficult situations, such as homelessness, divorce or unwed pregnancy, to support themselves.
Another goal is growth, with hopes for a retail storefront offering more jobs and a funding stream that will allow scholarship grants to help clients reach the goal of self-sufficiency. To this point, Free2Fly has hired three clients referred by local agencies that offer aid to families.
Fundraising began last year with a series of community sewing classes taught by women like Sarah Suits, a retired mortgage banker. She and others now teach sewing to client/employees, and Free2Fly sells the products they make online and at events.
"These women are in a situation where they don't necessarily have life skills or have the ability to go out and get a job," Suits said. "We are teaching them to sew, which will enable them to seek employment either here or in the community."
But the lessons are more than just how to operate a sewing machine.
"We are all retired. We are of that certain age where we've had life experiences," Suits said. "In the process of teaching them to sew we can also talk to them about life, talk to them about what to expect in marriage, how to deal with their children, all of these things that you face in life. What I always tell the young ladies that used to work for me, my children, my grandchildren, is that you need to be able to support yourself because you never know what's going to happen in life."
Young folks today often don't have the extended families so common in the past.
"I know we (the teachers) all had the parents and grandparents who were there, who taught us to sew, who taught us to cook, who taught us what to expect in life. We saw the marriage unit and how the family unit worked. Today you don't see that as much."
Free2Fly aims to make a difference in the world, she said.
"We start with one person and we make this girl strong, so she can teach her children. Her children can be strong, and that's what you're looking for.
"Intentions have to have feet. You have to put feet and hands to your intentions. People talk about that they want to make a difference in the world. If you don't do anything about it, it doesn't make a difference. Well, sometimes, to make that difference it takes helping one person, or one act of kindness. Or paying it forward one time."