Just a few weeks after the City Council approved an ordinance creating a new village zone in Apponaug, The House of Hope Boutique at 3190 Post Road held its grand opening yesterday, adding to the vibrancy of the area. The store offers unique merchandise from around the world, which supports various missions.

In fact, the boutique serves as a means for formerly homeless women to join the work force, as many of them crafted totes and other bags sold there after they completed a state-funded six-week sewing program through House of Hope CDC. The money generated from sales is given back to the program so more women can participate.

“I’m one of the women who lived in the House of Hope homeless shelter [in Warwick], and it’s been an honor because I found out things about myself that I could do to keep going on,” said Darlena Diarra, who held up one of the bags she created as she spoke to the group of nearly 50 people at the opening. “Sewing is a really good thing for me. It gives me peace of mind. This bag is very unique because there is not another one like it. It is a piece of my imagination.”

When she learned about the sewing class, which was developed more than four years ago, she said she was “ecstatic” and looked forward to going every time. This fact pleased sewing instructor Christine Hedenberg.

“It makes me happy that they can get back to a place where they are competent,” she said following the event. “It gives them validation and a sense of autonomy about who they are. There are very talented ladies working in the program.”

Jean Johnson, the Executive Director for the House of Hope CDC, credited Hedenberg for her “great instruction.” She explained how the sewing program was stitched together in 2007.

“We had these lovely women who were coming to us and they had nothing to do in the daytime [other than] wait for documentations to come in and wait to see doctors,” said Johnson. “We wanted to keep them happy and busy so we decided to start a crafts day.”

But it wasn’t long before Johnson realized it wasn’t just occupying their time. Rather, the women were getting the chance to better themselves.

“They began feeling good about their lives,” she said. “We also found out they had a lot of talent, and we wanted to put that talent to good use, so we created the sewing program. Our ladies or any women experiencing homelessness can participate. Not only are the women feeling good about themselves and bringing money back to the program, they’ve given other women throughout the world a chance to do the same thing because the items in this store come from around the world. I think women can save the world.”

Christine Foisy, the business manager for the boutique, said the store was the next logical step. Sewing program graduates who wish to learn retail operations, as well as House of Hope CDC staff and volunteers, are employed there.

“They’ll learn skills that will help them rejoin the work force,” she said. “To see these women being empowered by doing something as simple as sewing a bag is great, and now their product is in a store.”

All the products, Foisy said, are eco-friendly and made from recycled goods. She talked about some of her favorite items, including the bags made by Hope of Hope women, as well as jewelry, pillows, key chains, wine bags and even packaged organic tea.

“Some of the jewelry is made from tagua nuts, which is a nut in Columbia that takes three months to grow,” said Foisy. “The mission for that is to save the rain forest and provide the people of Columbia with fair-wage employment. From War to Peace is another favorite. They take disarmed nuclear missiles and make jewelry with the metal. The Teatulia Tea is $1.25 a bag, but you can use it up to three times.”

She also said the Peace Corps use parachutes as well as buttons from military uniforms to create bracelets. The proceeds go to men and women in the military and women in Afghanistan.

Roberta Bianco, a retired teacher who is a member of the Warwick General Federation of Women’s Clubs, left the opening with an armload of merchandise. She said the group donated a Serger Sewing Machine to the program a few years back and is thrilled to help.

“They really impress all of us.” Bianco said. “This gives the women a sense of pride and a feeling of self-worth.”

But Johnson said the initiative would not have been possible without funding from New Roots Providence, a non-profit organization that supports other non-profits with grants from the federal government. Director Marti Rosenberg attended the celebration and spoke on behalf of New Roots.

“When we saw the application for House of Hope we knew it was the perfect mix of helping a non-profit help its clients get to a new place,” said Rosenberg. “It was our very deep pleasure to help, and we’re so glad it came to fruition. I know my Facebook status will be a picture of the earrings I bought. I think everyone should do that. It needs to be a community venture to make it go on forever.”

Unfortunately, she said the grant program is coming to an end. However, she plans to fight to keep it alive.

“Things like this give me more of a push to go back to the federal government and say, ‘You cannot end this because look at what these folks do,’” Rosenberg said.

In addition to thanking Rosenberg, Johnson acknowledged the 20 House of Hope CDC board members, plus staff, interns and volunteers.

Just before the ribbon was snipped, Carol Rooney, one of the founding members of the board, expressed gratitude to Johnson for all she has done.

“You’re the heart of this, so thank you,” Rooney said.

Diarra agreed. She is appreciative for the opportunities the initiative has brought her.

“I knew a little bit about sewing, but when I got to the program it showed me what I really can do,” she said. “They helped me get back on my feet. It’s just so unbelievable.”

In a press release, Mayor Scott Avedisian said, “It’s always great to see new local businesses flourish in our community, especially those with a mission.”

Store hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 to 4. It is also open off-hours by appointment. Credit cards, cash and checks are accepted.

House of Hope CDC was established in Warwick in 1989. There are 36 units of supportive housing within the city and 116 shelter beds throughout Warwick, Cranston and Providence.