MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Every Tuesday as part of our Greater Memphis on a Mission series, we highlight organizations making Memphis better. This week, we caught up with a group that believes in sewing love.

The Sew Much Love program, operated through the Blues City Cultural Center, means the world to Brenda Jackson.

“I love the friendship. I love these ladies. They’re like family,” said Jackson.

Sew Much Love is an arts-based social enterprise that offers a safe and secure environment for homeless and vulnerable women during the day through the art of sewing.

Ayana Williams is the executive producer.

“They are able to release a lot of stress that is within them on their hearts to let that go. They’re able to then use their hands to make products and they take untraditional items and make it into sellable art,” Williams said.

Carol Sharpe heard about the Sew Much Love program while she was staying at a homeless shelter.

“I was taught by a wonderful lady how to make dolls. And I’ve been teaching all the rest of the women since I started doing it. And I made these two purses here,” said Carol Sharpe. “It’s helped me learn a lot through the arts, how to maintain an income if you really wanted to. And we opened up a shop on Main Street and we sold a lot of our things and it was just a beautiful experience.”

Even though Sharpe has been in her own place for the last eight years, she still gives back to Sew Much Love. Brenda Jackson says she has been in her own place for the last three years and is managing everything on her own.

“If it wasn’t for Sew Much Love, I don’t think I would have made it as far as I’ve made it, because of the encouragement,” said Jackson.

That is why Brown Missionary Baptist Church and the Mid-South Genesis CDC donated $1,000 to Sew Much Love. Because when you sew love and make art, it will always build a strong community for all.