When you were young, did an adult sit down and show you how to knit, or do embroidery stitches on towels, or sew baby doll clothes? For centuries, needlework has been a tradition passed on from adult to child. The attention, the technique, the creativity, all benefited the child on so many levels. Today’s children need positive, creative activities, too—and honest, encouraging attention—more than ever. That’s why we are excited to share news about the needle arts mentoring program of the Helping Hands Foundation.
Through this program, adult needleworkers are matched with children eager to learn needle arts through after-school programs, scout troops, and classes. The underlying goal is to create community partnerships that encourage relationships
between adults and youth. However, we also hope to start a life-long passion for making things by hand, which fosters curiosity, creativity, and self-esteem.
As of January 2005, there are 24 active programs in 13 states teaching over 250 new knitters, crocheters, cross stitchers, embroiderers and needlepointers. If you as an adult needleworker are interested in getting a program started in your area, get in touch with Penny Sitler, executive director of the Helping Hands Foundation. She can be reached at email psitler@offinger.com or call (740) 455-6773 extension 3250.
Helping Hands Program
PO Box 3388
Zanesville, OH 43702-3388
740-452-4541
740-452-2552 (fax)
E-mail: HelpingHands@Offinger.com
www.info@needleartsmentoring.org
If you, your guild, or your stitching club are involved in teaching children and teens to stitch, we salute you! We want to personally thank you for sharing care and encouragement with young people. You do make a difference!
When you were young, did an adult sit down and show you how to knit, or do embroidery stitches on towels, or sew baby doll clothes? For centuries, needlework has been a tradition passed on from adult to child. The attention, the technique, the creativity, all benefited the child on so many levels. Today’s children need positive, creative activities, too—and honest, encouraging attention—more than ever. That’s why we are excited to share news about the needle arts mentoring program of the Helping Hands Foundation. 
As of January 2005, there are 24 active programs in 13 states teaching over 250 new knitters, crocheters, cross stitchers, embroiderers and needlepointers. If you as an adult needleworker are interested in getting a program started in your area, get in touch with Penny Sitler, executive director of the Helping Hands Foundation. She can be reached at email psitler@offinger.com or call (740) 455-6773 extension 3250.