At Threaded Together we strive to create an environment filled with continual learning and improvement for all participants and staff. And this doesn't just apply to our craft. We are constantly educating ourselves about the ways in which we can better serve our community and create a more inclusive space. Using our knowledge and growth over the past couple of years, we have decided that our mission statement needs an update.
Moving forward, we are committed to focusing on using asset-based language and we have updated our mission statement to reflect this change. Asset-based language removes the focus from the negative effects of institutional oppression on individuals and communities and instead shifts the attention to individual and community assets and potential—and to the systems in place that have caused the harm. This is important to us and to the growth of Threaded Together as we seek to serve all peoples in our community and work to build an inviting space where everyone feels welcome.
As a women-led organization, we originally identified women in our mission statement. However, we have always wanted to nurture an inclusive space. A place where everyone is not only welcome but can belong. A place where everyone is made to feel important, seen, cared for, and a part of something bigger. All gender identities and expressions are welcome and valued in our programming—full stop.
We are always doing our best to listen to the populations we partner with, and we are prepared to pivot to better reach our goal of making the world a better place through textile arts programming. That means we’ll make mistakes. It also means we are truly committed to doing the work.
So, without further ado, we’d like to introduce our new and improved mission statement:
“We are dedicated to inspiring creativity and connection through textile arts programs that partner with participants to nurture inclusive communities, cultivate agency, and develop employment pathways for people who have faced personal challenges and institutional injustices.”