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The Hilde Project: Empowering Wyoming Women

Campaign Introduction:

Help us provide a community for women which includes a safe, inspiring space, project supplies and skill development that lead to gainful employment. Your gift will help pay for instructors, childcare, much needed sewing machines and sergers, sewing machine repairs and supplies needed to continue the classes.

$7,248

Funds Raised

$7,000

Funding Goal

Oct 2017

Ended

This campaign was successful! 😃
Or purchase a reward below if available!
Raised Percent :
103%
Location:
Share Campaign:

$7,248

Funds Raised

$7,000

Funding Goal

Oct 2017

Ended

Raised Percent :
103%
This campaign was successful! 😃
Or purchase a reward below if available!
Campaign Location:
Share Campaign:

Campaign Story

THE NEED

Women in Wyoming earn just 64 cents for every dollar earned by a man, according to Census data from 2016. Job opportunities in rural communities are often minimum wage and without benefits. There are many barriers that rural women face in finding and keeping employment, ranging from lack of education, job skills and training opportunities to the lack of dependable transportation and child care options.

THE HOW

The Hilde Project educates, mentors and inspires women to support themselves and their families financially. We utilize recycled textiles and locally sourced wool and work with fiber artists to design products. We are creating a retail network for distribution of useful, beautiful wearable art.

THE IMPACT

The Hilde Project empowers women by teaching sewing, crocheting, felting and dyeing textiles. We have developed a welcoming community of women from every socioeconomic group. They motivate and support each other, gain self-confidence and share their lives through stories and actions. Hilde provides an inspiring space, childcare, supplies and skill development that prepares women for working in textile manufacturing or to create their own personal projects. They gain experience and have the opportunity to supplement their income through The Hilde Project. Our current products include: wool mittens, hand dyed silk scarves, produce bags made from recycled t-shirts, and crocheted items.

OUR PARTNERS

St. Matthew's Cathedral has generously provided the Hilde Project studio space, and we share the Prayers & Squares sewing studio. With funding from the Ellbogen Foundation and Allstate we have experienced a successful first year. We’ve been fortunate to have the Clothing Cottage and community members donate fabric, sewing machines and supplies but they only go so far. We are very optimistic that in the future we will sustain the project through product sales, but we need your help to keep the project going!

GIVING

Please help us by spreading the word and giving what you can. Whether you have $5 or $1000, your generous contribution helps us continue to support and empower local women in Laramie. With the success of The Hilde Project in Laramie we hope to spread to other cities in the region.

THANK YOU for supporting The Hilde Project!

Campaign Contributions

Name Location Date
St Matthew's Cathedral Laramie, WY October 25, 2017
Nadia Kaliszewski Laramie, WY October 24, 2017
Dena Bijold Laramie, WY October 24, 2017
Dena Bijold Laramie, WY October 24, 2017
Dena Bijold Laramie, WY October 24, 2017
Alysha Robison Laramie, WY October 23, 2017
Alysha Robison Laramie, WY October 23, 2017
Michael Conti Boulder, CO October 23, 2017
Anonymous Laramie, WY October 23, 2017
Marilyn Thelen Laramie, WY October 23, 2017
Richard Waggner Laramie, WY October 23, 2017
Rhonda Storm John Laramie, WY October 23, 2017
Diane Wolverton Laramei, WY October 23, 2017
Diane Wolverton Laramei, WY October 23, 2017
Tana Libolt Centennial, WY October 18, 2017
Regan Rose Joplin, MO October 17, 2017
Tricia Courtney Joplin, MO October 17, 2017
Tricia Courtney Joplin, MO October 17, 2017
Linda Goldman Arvada, CO October 16, 2017
Deacon Lyndie Duff Laramie, WY October 16, 2017
Patricia & Stephen Askew Laramie, WY October 16, 2017
Linda Goldman , October 16, 2017
Barbara Bogart , October 16, 2017
christer lindstrom gavle, other October 15, 2017
Tina Giebel Joplin, MO October 15, 2017
Shaina Wiens Phillipsburg, KS October 14, 2017
Liz, Bethany, and Family Williams Centennial, WY October 14, 2017
Ray Barkhurst Encampment, WY October 13, 2017
Emily Greaser Laramie, WY October 13, 2017
Jimena Caama̱o Villa Carlos Paz , other October 12, 2017
Glenda Earl Laramie, WY October 12, 2017
Mildred Morse Joplin, MO October 11, 2017
Sonya Moore Laramie, WY October 11, 2017
Samira Caamano Laramie, WY October 11, 2017
Peggy Parolin Parkville, MO October 11, 2017
Peggy Parolin Parkville, MO October 11, 2017
Peggy Parolin Parkville, MO October 11, 2017
Mary Garland Laramie, WY October 11, 2017
Cole Ehmke Laramie, WY October 11, 2017
Sarah Gorin Laramie, WY October 11, 2017
Rory Lee Fayetteville, AR October 11, 2017
Leslie Johnson Saratoga, WY October 10, 2017
Linda Brown Craig, CO October 10, 2017
Kim Vincent Laramie, WY October 10, 2017
Kim Vincent Laramie, WY October 10, 2017
Margie Bates Laramie, WY October 10, 2017
Andrea Hayter ARLINGTON, TX October 10, 2017
Robin McIntyre Laramie, WY October 09, 2017
Robin McIntyre Laramie, WY October 09, 2017
Jenn Mitchell Estes Park, CO October 09, 2017
Janis King Cumming, GA October 09, 2017
Jessica Romero Casper, WY October 09, 2017
Anne Mason Laramie, WY October 09, 2017
Anonymous Laramie, WY October 09, 2017
Alison Doherty Laramie, WY October 09, 2017
Cody Dugger Baxter, TN October 09, 2017
Jennifer Atnip Webb City, MO October 08, 2017
Anonymous Laramie, WY October 07, 2017
Nancy Hoffmann Joplin, MO October 06, 2017
Megan Johnson Laramie, WY October 04, 2017
Anonymous Laramie, WY September 29, 2017
Melanie Shovelski Cheyenne , WY September 28, 2017
Dino Wenino Casper, WY September 28, 2017
Jennifer Jensen Cody, WY September 28, 2017
Lindsay Olson Laramie, WY September 28, 2017
Suzanne Lewis Laramie, WY September 27, 2017
Sher Aanenson Laramie, WY September 27, 2017
Claire Jones Laramie, WY September 26, 2017
Lydia Dambekalns Laramie, WY September 26, 2017
The Clothing Cottage Laramie, WY September 26, 2017
Jennifer Chism Simpsonville , SC September 26, 2017
Jennifer Chism Simpsonville , SC September 26, 2017
Chris Lowry Laramie, WY September 25, 2017
anonymous Laramie, WY September 25, 2017
Shirley Miller Encampment, WY September 25, 2017
Birgit Carlson San Antonio, TX September 22, 2017
Kerry McIver Encampment, WY September 22, 2017
Matthew Nichols Rosamond, CA September 21, 2017
Laurie Edwards Laramie, WY September 21, 2017
Laurie Edwards Laramie, WY September 21, 2017
Madeline Dalrymple Laramie, WY September 21, 2017
Davona Douglass Laramie, WY September 20, 2017
Doyce Deas Tupelo, MS September 20, 2017
Debbie Gorski Laramie, WY September 19, 2017
Andrea Graham Laramie, WY September 19, 2017
Wendy Bredehoft Laramie, WY September 19, 2017
Jack Wieczorek Longmont, CO September 18, 2017
Teresa Sherwood Laramie, WY September 18, 2017
Dave Benson Vista, CA September 18, 2017
John Thorn Victor, ID September 18, 2017
Anonymous Laramie, Wyoming September 18, 2017
Barbara Deshler Laramie, WY September 18, 2017
Corrie Blissit Brooklyn , NY September 16, 2017
Charles Williams Tupelo, MS September 16, 2017
Lisa Wagner Buffalo, WY September 14, 2017
Emily Parsons Laramie, WY September 14, 2017
Ryan Phillips Laramie, WY September 14, 2017
Regan Rose Dublin, none September 13, 2017
Georgia Rowswell Cheyenne, WY September 13, 2017
Maryalice Snider Laramie, WY September 12, 2017
Gayle Woodsum Laramie, WY September 12, 2017
Christine Porter Laramie, WY September 11, 2017
Meredith Pratt Laramie, WY September 11, 2017
Anonymous Laramie, WY September 11, 2017

Campaign Updates

  • 20-09-2017

    Testimonial from a Hilde Woman

    We are SO fortunate to have some wonderful women in our Hilde community. We are even more fortunate that some of them want to share their experience with you! Dena has been a wonderful presence here at Hilde! She is a lovely person that always comes in with a positive attitude that encourages others. She began just learning to crochet at Hilde, and now she is creating the most amazing clothing, accessories, dolls and blankets we could have imagined!

    Thank you Dena for sharing your heart and telling the community what The Hilde Project means to you!

  • 27-09-2017

    Testimonial from a Hilde Woman - Amanda

    Hello,

    We want to share Amanda’s thoughts about The Hilde Project with you! Please take a moment to view the video via the link below. We want you to understand the impact our project has had on the women that come to our classes. This is why we do what we do! Please consider a contribution to help us continue and expand The Hilde Project.

    Thank you to Amanda for sharing your experience, we love having you!

  • 04-10-2017

    14 Days & a Testimonial from Cindy!

    Hello!

    We wanted to send a friendly reminder that we only have 14 days left in our campaign!

    We also wanted to share Cindy’s story about The Hilde Project. We are so thankful for the women that have joined us EVERY WEEK!

    If you live in Laramie you know that we had our first snowstorm on Monday!

    Monday mornings we offer open studio. The women in the project can come in and use our supplies and space to create Hilde products to earn some extra money, or they can work on their own projects.

    Well, that morning I (Rachelle) woke up thinking, maybe we should cancel…it’s suppose to snow allll day, it’s cold, I want to be cozy inside by the fire, etc… So, I sent out a few texts and it seems like no one else wanted to cancel. I went in and before I knew it, EVERYONE showed up! (Everyone that can make it on Mondays that is!)

    Do you know WHY?

    Because…..
    They are educating themselves.
    They are doing something for themselves.
    They need an extra push to accomplish a goal.
    They want to be a part of this community.
    They can earn a supplemental income.
    There are job possibilities after training.

    These women are what motivate us to: Continue the project, add more classes, educate more women, and help them create the lives they deserve!

    Please consider a donation to The Hilde Project!

    Thank you!

  • 10-10-2017

    One Week Left to Donate!

    Hello!

    First, we want to thank those of you who have contributed to our campaign! We are over halfway there!

    We have ONE WEEK LEFT to reach our goal! We simply ask for any donation you are able to give or to simply share the campaign with your friends!

    If we reach our goal, that means more FREE education for the women in our community. It also means we can continue to provide childcare, to help the women earn some extra money through Hilde product sales and we will finally be able to repair all of the sewing machines that need some love!

    This is Storm, she is not only a student, but a volunteer! We are so grateful to have some of the women in the project taking on more responsibilities to help us succeed. This is what community is all about!

    Thank you for sharing your experience Storm!

    PS – Christmas is right around the corner, shop early from our “Rewards” and get some wonderful products made by The Hilde Women!

  • 17-10-2017

    Campaign Extended & Pop-Up Shop in Laramie!

    Hello!

    After speaking with our community members we have decided to extend our campaign for an extra week!

    For those of you who have donated and received a reward, we would love to meet you in person and give you the opportunity to pick out your favorite design!

    Come see us in Downtown Laramie!

    When: Saturday, October 21st
    Where: Downtown Main Street Alliance Office – 207 E Grand Ave.
    Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm

    If you haven’t donated, but would like to shop, please come and see us! We will have Mittens, Scarves, Hats, Prayer Flags, Bags, and more!

    Thank you to everyone for all of your support! It means so much to us that you have donated so generously!

    YOU are the reason we can continue to educate and empower women in Laramie.

    – The Hilde Project Women

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Rewards

$5

Baby Bibs
Handmade handkerchief baby bib or dog accessory! Snap closure, made by the women at the Hilde Project.

0 backers
5 rewards left

$7

Reusable Bag
Upcycled T-shirt bag made by the women, who have learned to sew, at the Hilde Project. Keep old T-shirts out of the land fill and in use. Each bag is unique! Come to the Hilde studio to pick your reward or we will send photos for you to choose from.

0 backers
20 rewards left

$10

Community Supporter
A heartfelt thank-you! We'll add you to our email list to keep you posted and up-to-date on all that is happening with The Hilde Project. Thanks for being a part of the community!

0 backers

$10

Paper Punch Shapes Animals
ANIMAL PAPER PUNCH designs in a set of 4 - 1 each of: Dinosaur, Frog, Elephant, Whale. Safe and fun for crafting, scrapbooking, and play for kids ages 6 & older to adults. Make your own cards, crafts, scrapbook pages and more. Approximate 10mm punch size. Donated by Roanna Rose of Creative Living Today.

0 backers
2 rewards left

$10

Cell Phone Case
Pink, hand knitted case with crocheted flower and velcro closure. 5.5"L x 4.5" W. Made and donated by Linh Phan, a Hilde Project participant.

0 backers
1 rewards left

$10

Cell Phone Case
Handmade, orange crocheted case with crocheted button closure. 4.5"L x 3.25"W

0 backers
1 rewards left

$10

Paper Punch Shapes
PAPER PUNCH designs in a set of 4 - 1 each of: Butterfly, Star, Flower, Heart. Safe and fun for crafting, scrapbooking, and play for kids ages 6 & older to adults. Make your own cards, crafts, scrapbook pages and more. Approximate 10mm punch size. Donated by Roanna Rose of Creative Living Today.

0 backers
6 rewards left

$12

Crocheted Scarf
Yellow, crocheted scarf/neckband. 22" from end to end with a lot of stretch. Made and donated by Linh Phan, a Hilde Project woman.

0 backers
1 rewards left

$15

Custom Reusable Bag
Bring us your favorite T-shirt and we will transform it into a bag! One of the women at The Hilde Project will create it for you! We can work with holes and logos you don't want to see.

0 backers
20 rewards left

$15

CANteen Shot Glasses
4 shot glasses in a set. 2 oz. each by Urban Trends from True Brands. Urban Trend's latest shot set is made from real tin cans. Cool style for any home bar. This handy set makes a perfect gift for friends, family, co-workers or the men in your life. Take it as a hostess gift or party favors. The CanTeen makes a great shot glass, a funny conversation starter, a rustic wedding favor, a sturdy shot glass for camping, or a great gift. Donated by Roanna Rose of Creative Living Today.

0 backers
2 rewards left

$15

Crocheted Headband
Handmade, red, crocheted headband, 22" not stretched. Made and donated by Linh Phan, a Hilde Project woman.

0 backers
1 rewards left

$15

Crocheted Headband
Handmade, yellow, crocheted headband with bow, 18" not stretched. Made and donated by Linh Phan, a Hilde Project woman.

0 backers
1 rewards left

$15

Bath Toys + Toy Organizer for Baby & Toddler
A set of 12 bath toys and toy organizer net bag. Farm and sea animals that squeak and squirt. Large white nylon net toy organizer with 2 suction cups. Bath time is more fun for babies, toddlers and children. Donated by Roanna Rose of Creative Living Today.

0 backers
4 rewards left

$18

Children's Placemats
Set of two silicone placemats, each sized: 15.75" x 11.75". Light blue with a colorful butterfly design. Unique, original artwork by Tricia Courtney. Donated by Roanna Rose of Creative Living Today.

0 backers
3 rewards left

$20

Prayer Flags
Handmade Prayer Flags made from fabric scraps and upcycled fabric, by the women from The Hilde Project. Come to the Hilde studio to pick your reward or we will send photos for you to choose from.

0 backers
28 rewards left

$20

Coasters
Set of 4 Quilted Coasters made by one of our Hilde Ladies. Thank you Alison!

0 backers
2 rewards left

$20

Red Knit Hat
Handmade, red, knit hat with pom pom top, back slip and pom poms. 20" not stretched. Made and donated by Linh Phan, a Hilde Project woman.

0 backers
1 rewards left

$20

Knit Hat
Beige & Red knitted hat. 19" - Not stretched. Made and donated by Linh Phan, a Hilde Project participant.

0 backers
1 rewards left

$25

The Herb House Gift Certificate
Gift Certificate from a local business here in Laramie, WY! The staff and owners at Elk MountainHerbs believe in wildcrafting ethically and only harvesting the healthiest plants.
All of these factors create superior quality products, with maximum potency and efficacy.

0 backers
1 rewards left

$25

Cloth Napkins
Set of 8 handmade napkins. Made by one of the Hilde women. Your choice of fabric! Come to the Hilde studio to pick your reward or we will send photos for you to choose from.

0 backers
3 rewards left

$25

Reusable Vegetable Bags
Save plastic and use these cotton bags for your vegetables at the grocery store! Handmade, drawstring bags, set of 3 in different sizes.

0 backers
4 rewards left

$30

Fine Art Photography
Choice of one matted fine art 8x10 print from Megan Lee Photography. Fine art photography from throughout Wyoming featuring the Snowies, Vedauwoo, wildlife, & homes.

0 backers
7 rewards left

$30

Crocheted Hat
Unique crocheted Hilde hats with the signature yarn tail! Made by women in The Hilde Project, your choice! Come to the Hilde studio to pick your reward or we will send photos for you to choose from.

0 backers
25 rewards left

$35

Star Wars The Force Awakens Speeder Bike Vehicle Poe Dameron
Star Wars The Force Awakens Hero Series Vehicle. Get set for big adventure with the Star Wars The Force Awakens Hero Series 12-Inch Vehicles. Each huge vehicle includes a 12-inch action figure, and is ready to take on the entire galaxy. Ages 4 and up. Includes Poe Dameron from Star Wars: The Force Awakens Heroic 12-inch scale Comes with an accessory Includes vehicle, figure, accessory, and instructions. These mobile assault walkers operate as mechanized cavalry units, storming enemy positions and running down fleeing troops. This 12-inch scale Speeder Bike comes with a Poe Dameron figure and accessory. Collect and battle with these and other figures and vehicles from Star Wars. Donated by Roanna Rose of Creative Living Today.

0 backers
1 rewards left

$35

Star Wars The Force Awakens Hero Mashers Resistance X-Wing Pilot
Star Wars Hero Mashers Episode VII Resistance X-Wing and Resistance Pilot Tear apart the galaxy with the Star Wars Hero Mashers Vehicles! Build a bike, a speeder, or new freakish creations of your own design. Each articulated action figure has removable limbs and can be dismantled and reassembled - you can swap pieces with the others. Donated by Roanna Rose of Creative Living Today.

0 backers
2 rewards left

$35

Star Wars The Force Awakens Assault Walker with Riot Control Stormtrooper
Star Wars The Force Awakens Hero Series Vehicle. Get set for big adventure with the Star Wars The Force Awakens Hero Series 12-Inch Vehicles. Each huge vehicle includes a 12-inch action figure, and is ready to take on the entire galaxy. Ages 4 and up. Includes Riot Control Stormtrooper Sergeant figure from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Donated by Roanna Rose of Creative Living Today.

0 backers
2 rewards left

$40

Silk Scarf
Hand dyed silk scarf made by the women at The Hilde Project. 11"x60", 21"x21" or 7"x60" Habotai Silk. Your choice! Come to the Hilde studio to pick your reward or we will send photos for you to choose from.

0 backers
20 rewards left

$45

Mittens
Handmade, one-of-a-kind mittens made from upcycled wool sweaters and fleece, by the women at The Hilde Project. Your choice! Come to the Hilde studio to pick your reward or we will send photos for you to choose from.

0 backers
20 rewards left

$50

Gardening Apron
Handemade, upcycled denim aprons from Patchranch. These are made from jeans and bib overalls and are good to wear in the garden or in the kitchen. Meet with Bren for sizing and customization.

0 backers
3 rewards left

$50

Provide Childcare for a Class
Help us pay an authorized childcare worker and enable the mothers we have to attend Hilde Classes. This provides childcare for one of our classes.

0 backers
10 rewards left

$50

Crocheted Kid's Sweater
Handmade granny square sweater jacket for kids! Crocheted flower button closure. Shoulder to Hem - 18", Chest - 32", Shoulder to Shoulder - 13" Made and donated by Linh Phan, a Hilde Project woman.

0 backers
1 rewards left

$60

Custom Mittens
We will transform your favorite wool sweater into a pair of mittens. One of the women at The Hilde Project will help you design the perfect pair!

0 backers
5 rewards left

$65

Visantine Gift Card
Visantine is a contemporary women's clothing brand founded in Brooklyn, NY and now based in Laramie, Wyoming. Through community collaboration, Visantine is locally produced and utilizes ethically sourced materials that are friendly to the environment and the consumer. The collective incorporates handicraft techniques when applicable to slow down the fast paced fashion calendar and celebrate all hands involved in their process.

0 backers
1 rewards left

$75

Rachelle Rose Designs Gift Card
Rachelle Rose Designs creates functional, comfortable clothing for the working woman. The clothing is modern and simplistic with a bohemian feel.

0 backers
1 rewards left

$100

Dye Your Own Scarves!
Spend an afternoon in the Hilde studio and dye your own scarves. You will be provided 3 silk scarves and guided by our instructors, Rachelle & Bren! Scarf value $34.

0 backers
5 rewards left

$125

Class Scholarship for One Woman
Help empower a women to develop her skills by providing funding for her to attend four weeks of classes. This includes instruction and all supplies.

0 backers
10 rewards left

$250

St Hildegard Statue
Get a statue of St. Hildegard, our inspiration! Hand crafted statue made from gypsum with bronze powder. The pieces come boxed, can stand or hang (there's a hook on the back), and can go outside. Each piece comes with a history card stating: "St. Hildegard (1098-1179), an abbess and foundress of a Benedictine community, was also “an author and theologian; prophet and preacher; musician and composer; poet and artist; doctor and pharmacist.” Throughout her life she had a series of visions that she described in her illustrated book Scivias. The visions show human beings, the universe, and all creatures as “sparks” of God’s love. Her poetry and music are further expressions of this vision. She also wrote two treatises on medicine and “stands as one of the great figures in the history of women in medicine.” She did all this during a time in which women were accorded little respect as artists and intellectuals, yet the effects Hildegard’s experiments and advancements in music, art, and healing continue to this day. This small statue of Hildegard was hand carved by Hank Schlau and hand painted by Karen Schlau." Dimensions: 9.5 (h) x 2.5 x 2

0 backers
2 rewards left