EcoEquitable is an amazing organization whose dual purpose of textile waste reduction and women’s empowerment intersect through the art of sewing.
As part of our SE spotlight series, CSED recently sat down with Julia Hunter, executive director of EcoEquitable, to learn more about their social enterprise programs and her perspective on the organization since joining in 2022.
What does EcoEquitable do?
EcoEquitable is a registered charity that encompasses two social enterprise programs! We have our Eco Fabric Boutique, that accepts 100% donated fabric, sewing supplies, sewing machines and notions, which are sorted and then resold to the general public at affordable prices. On average, we redistribute around 6,000 pounds of textiles and we imagine this number will continue to climb as we get our name out there more and more. Having the Eco Fabric Boutique enterprise also compliments our Sewing for Jobs program, that equips newcomer women and women experiencing barriers to employment with professional sewing skills and meaningful jobs post graduation. We are able to use the donated fabric and equipment in the classroom with our students and provide these resources to students who are completing paid work in the community.
Similarly, we also upcycle donated fabric through our second social enterprise program, our Public Sewing Classes! These classes run all year round and focus on topics such as Sewing for Beginners, Sewing for Teens, Repair classes, Serger classes, Fabric Painting, and more! All proceeds from the sale of our public classes goes back into our dual social and environmental mission. These classes are a great way to get people involved who are interested in sewing and learning more about EcoEquitable and sustainable fashion.
Tell us about the people and organizations you serve? How do they typically find you?
People typically find us online on Instagram or Facebook, or direct through our website. We also have a really strong volunteer base, which luckily for us means really strong word-of-mouth marketing. We have people come into the shop all the time who have heard of us through a friend of a friend, either looking to donate from their fabric stash, buy new fabric, or get involved in some way. People take pride in purchasing from us because it’s a win-win for people and the planet.
In terms of Sewing for Jobs students, we put a lot of effort into partnership outreach and connecting with other local organizations that serve newcomers or provide supports to women, who help us to further promote the program.
When did you join EcoEquitable? What’s it been like so far?
I joined in August 2022! At the time, Eco was between executive directors, and in many ways, the organization was also turning a new chapter after surviving the pandemic and reopening its doors.
I’ve been fortunate to have an amazing team who are always open to possibilities, ideas, and change. We’ve really been able to hit the ground running on exciting initiatives… Always striving to make Eco the best it can be for the people we serve.
What are some of your insights and lessons learned since joining the organization?
Oh gosh – so many things! We’re big manifesters here at Eco. I’d say that’s taught me a lot in and of itself – the power of mindset. To do the little things right every day and the big things will fall into place. To enjoy each other’s company and not take life too seriously, it’s so important to have a little fun along the way.
What makes you most proud?
The women that we serve every day – being able to get to know them, witness their journeys, and celebrate them along the way makes me so proud. People come in as strangers and leave as friends. It is really so special to be a part of and a privilege. It inspires me every day.
What keeps you up at night?
Funding for sure, says every ED ever. Relying on annual funding is tough, so getting used to living in the uncertainty while still planning for big goals is always a push and pull. Impact and equity is another big one for me. Considering what we could do better, how we could push the status quo further. It’s challenging work but I think it’s our greatest opportunity.
What advice do you have for someone stepping into the ED role?
Build a network, connect with other EDs in your community. Find a mentor or hire a leadership coach to support you. It’s easy to feel alone in the ED role, so building in regular reminders that there are thousands of others going through what you’re going through, is important to keep perspective and a level head.
What’s next for EcoEquitable?
2024 will be another big year! We’re looking to expand our new Job Referral Program that we launched last year, in order to continue to provide meaningful employment opportunities in partnership with local organizations and businesses to our Sewing for Jobs graduates. This will also mean more opportunities for paid internships for our Level 3 Advanced Class – where students work together in-class on a real client project and gain valuable business skills, with in-house coaching and support.
We’ll continue to grow our Eco Fabric Boutique, Public Class offerings, and Sewing for Jobs program, guided by the impact measurement and communications work currently underway. By the end of 2024, we will also be due for a refreshed strategic plan, which I’m really excited about for the future of Eco. Stay tuned!
