Syracuse ranks in the ten most impoverished cities in the United States. That poverty is even more concentrated in the city's northside neighborhood among immigrant and refugee populations.

A new program, called Dragana, at the White Branch Library is hoping to build up the women in that community by teaching a new skill.

The past three Saturdays have served as a pilot program teaching sewing. Started by a refugee, the hope is that hands-on learning will show community members the power they have to create and impact their living situations. 

The first week focused on the basics, then it was on to pillow cases, and finally making aprons. Aside from learning how to use a sewing machines, organizers say everyone learns about the other cultures and generations in the room.

Willietta Richards, one of the sewing teachers, said a program like this will help put the kids in her neighborhood on a positive path and she is reminded of words her mother used to tell her.

"Idle Minds, Idle Hands — the devil's workshop," she said. "When they're here, they're not in trouble. When they leave here they have something to go and do."

This program was just a pilot, but Dragana plans to partner with the Refugee Empowerment organization "RISE" to make programs like this more widely available to communities all over Syracuse.