Fashion For Food | RSVP today to Attend this Free Event and donate to help Brooklyn Food Pantries for The Holidays!

via bkfff.com

Head to this link to rsvp http://www.bkfff.com/fashionforfood/ Space
Sunday November 20th
Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts Brooklyn
RSVP NOW Now Doors open 2-6pm Fashion Show at 3pm

Weekly Sewing Circle Becomes a HIT!

For seven years, Sue Rock Originals Everyone has worked with and searched out domestic violence survivors at residences, organizations and in our communities.

At times the search has been heart wrenching. For as the donations continue to come in and the volunteers continue to share their amazing creativity - domestic violence is still an issue that women do not want to admit having gone through.

Many times the women we meet had been removed from their violent past for 5 - 10 years or more. This, it seems, is a safe space to admit to the reality of what had happened and though forthcoming, they shirk receiving donations......"Give to those who need", "I have what I need now","I had friends and family to help me - these women have nothing"

Such is the compassion of the survivor of this life.

Well it is through the diligent support of an organization known as the Center Against Domestic Violence that a breakthrough was made.

We now have a regular group of women coming to our design studio every Tuesday to learn how to sew, knit, crochet and so much more. These women have breathed a new life into our organization with their eagerness to learn everything.

Enjoy these photos!

Our current project is to complete the quilts which were created on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2011. These quilt tops were created by volunteers and will be completed by these women. Those who can sew will sew, those who do not machine sew will embroider, other women will iron - all working together to complete the 45 covers we have.

Once completed, the women will be able to choose their own for themselves and their children and the remainder will be donated to the Center Against Domestic Violence domestic violence residences!

If you would like to find our more about this or any other program at Sue Rock Originals Design Studio -

contact us at

suerockoriginals@yahoo.com

or

(718) 781-4142

All Calls and contacts will be kept strictly confidential!

Sue Rock Originals fabric resources helping people in need around the world!

And the hits keep on coming.
Sue Rock Originals Everyone will be helping out a Day for Girls sewing event sponsored by Bust Magazine and held at Otto's Shrunken Head this past weekend!

Seven yards of fabric will become bags for reusable feminine products being compiled for the Days for Girls Organization.
Days for Girls is a nonprofit organization providing washable feminine hygiene kits for women who would otherwise go without. Currently serving in 15 nations and growing.Volunteers around the globe craft washable feminine hygiene kits. Recent expansions include setting up microenterprises in communities enabling women to make kits for their community.

Sue Rock Originals Everyone fabric resources -
helping people in need around the world!

Working with BEL KAN - The Haitian Girls Camp

Amazing things happen for those who wait...... you all know of the phenomenal turnout of volunteers for our Sewing for Haiti Event during Martin Luther King Day, 2010.

Well through a connection (made in heaven!), we are currently working with celebrity manicurist Myrdith Leon McCormick and Founding Director of United Initiatives for Peace, Diesa Eléonore Seidel to get volunteer created clothing to the girls attending BEL KAN and their families!

Take a look at this amazing camp!!

Sue Rock Originals Everyone on Brooklyn Independent TV!

Sue Rock presented Women of Valor Award by Senator John L. Sampson

On Thursday May 12, I was awarded the Women of Valor Award by Senator John L. Samson. For the past four years, Senator Samson has commended women for their role in uplifting the community. The awards are given in a variety of categories from Health and Human Services, to Education, to Leadership.

I was given the EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE award for my role as Executive Director and Founder of Sue Rock Originals Everyone! All of the Women of Valor received Citations of Honor from their City Councilperson.

As you can see the meeting room in Brooklyn College's Student Union was filled to the brim with attendees, political figures, family and well wishers.

As the program progressed, I was overcome with being presented with such an honor. Each woman spoke eloquently about their fulfillment with their responsibility in their community.....each story spoke so closely to my own.

Women spurring their children, and husbands and community leaders on to further efforts of improvement and enhanced self worth. We all agreed that we could accomplish SO much more with funding (LOL) however we affirmed that regardless - the work we did our communities was our passion and would continue even stronger!

What an amazing evening :))

SROE Presents Quilts to Domestic Violence Organization

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 20, 2011

Rona Solomon 718 254 9134 rsolomon@centeragainstdv.org

Center Against Domestic Violence Participates in Brooklyn’s “Her-Story” Celebration Brooklyn, March 20, 2011 – Center Against Domestic Violence, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz’s office and Sue Rock Originals are teaming up to mark Women in History month at 12 noon on March 24 following Borough Hall’s Women in History Celebration. The quilts were created by volunteers at Sue Rock Originals studio in Brooklyn on the third annual Martin Luther King Day of Service. At this Brooklyn event, 100 volunteers created quilts and afghans to present to the women who found safety in Center Against Domestic Violence historic Brooklyn shelters. When Women’s Survival Space opened its doors, it was New York State’s first emergency shelter for battered women and their children. Borough President Markowitz will celebrate women in history immediately preceding the quilt presentation ceremony by honoring exceptional Brooklyn women. Founded in 1977, The Center opened the first publicly-funded domestic violence shelter in New York State. Since then, CADV’s outreach has expanded to include three full-service shelters for victims and their children, innovative education programs that reach more than 30,000 students each year, plus a variety of programs that support victims and raise awareness throughout the community. Learn more about CADV at http://www.cadvny.org/ . ###

Martin Luther King Jr Day 2011 - SEWING FOR SURVIVORS

On Monday, January 17, Sue Rock Originals Everyone did it "one more time"! Textile artist and Organizer Extraordinaire Jeanne Heifetz of Brooklyn for Barack (yes they are still around!) and Organizing for America made sure that Sue Rock Originals was plugged into the volunteering efforts for the day!

And what a day it was - we had the idea of sewing volunteers but this time utilizing the Bag and Bags of fabric samples from Van Heusen. Why not have volunteers work on our "Three Hour Quilt"? The samples are already the right size, simply sew strips and Go!

It was one of the most phenomenal events we could have hoped for -

Some of the heavy hitters that came through:

Brooklyn Councilman Brad Lander and his daughter!

International R&B Vocalist Karen Bernod!

Freda L. Thomas - of the Freda L. Thomas Scholarship fund

Satchi acclaimed artist Predrag Milavanovic.

Enjoy what others had to share about the day - they put it together so much more eloquently!

The Daily Kos

Organizing for America

I Want Candy

SUE ROCK ORIGINALS EVERYONE HOLDS MLK DAY VOLUNTEER EVEN

Come on over and sew, knit, crochet and embroider as we create QUILTS FOR SURVIVORS!

1069 Bergen Street between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues in Brooklyn, NY

Join your fellow New Yorkers in making warm quilts for families living in domestic-violence shelters. Often these women and children have had to flee their homes with nothing. Help provide them with bedding that is functional -- but also a labor of love.

We will have work for sewers (machines provided), embroiderers, knitters and crocheters (bring big needles/hooks if you can, but not required), photographers, videographers, bloggers, and people who just want to help by sorting yarn/fabric, keeping the operation running smoothly, etc. Yarn, fabric and snacks provided.

If you have a particular skill you want to mention, please add it in the comment section.

UPDATE: Given the overwhelming response, we will be dividing the day into two shifts.

This event is co-hosted by Brooklyn for Barack and Downtown East for Obama.

Needlearts Class Session for 2011 - JANUARY CLASSES

OUR NEEDLEARTS CLASS SESSION FOR THE NEW YEAR -

JANUARY 2011

CLASSES SATURDAYS ONLY JANUARY 8, 15 AND 22

1:00 - 4:00pm

CLASSES ARE $25 EACH

All Materials included - make a completed project each week!

All classes are held at

Sue Rock Originals Design Studio

1069 Bergen Street between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues

Brooklyn, New York

A/C trains to Nostrand Avenues -

Walk up Nostrand Avenue to Bergen Street, turn right

OR

B65 bus crosstown to Nostrand Avenue

Please rsvp your attendance at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR

TO ALL OF THE WOMEN AND MEN WHO HAVE BEEN HELPED AND HELPED TO SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS

WE THANK YOU

CONTINUED SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY TO US ALL IN 2011

Full Moon Week at Sue Rock Originals Studios!

.............having a design studio in the heart of Brooklyn is an amazing adventure - we often refer to it as "The Sue Rock Show" with its ever changing cast of characters.

Allow me to TIVO last nite's show back to you.

Last week, I had posted on Craigslist for Free Fabric and happily received around 12 responses back! Fantastic, I thought, and began hauling all of the small scraps and pieces to the front of the studio.

Now the front of our studio is the retail space where we sell our designs and raise funds for the organization. WELL!! Now it looks like a what not shop because of course "People are coming on Tuesday, our first day open for the week for FREE FABRIC" - Right?

WRONG - foolishly, I forgot that it is 2010 and the promise of doing anything at this point is not worth the paper it is emailed on! So Tuesday comes and Wednesday comes and still no pick up - well now its getting to be enough. When Saturday comes, I email everyone at the crack of dawn and let them know "LOOK we have free fabric you can come today!" and I posted the hours

The day started with going to Irondale with my son's acting workshop - then off to the studio to see how things were going.

When we got inside, there was still fabric all over the front store area (waaaaah how disheartening).

But..........in an hour or so.......Hold up.....there is someone coming in with a shopping Cart -


Why it was musician Veronica White-Pugh. Veronica is one of our amazing creative neighbors (you need to come out and Dig Crown Heights ya'll). Now invested in studying trumpet, she is a jazz bassist who has worked with musicians throughout the 1990's. She was attracted to our post because of her quilting hobby and also enjoys crocheting, knitting and weaving.

Next came a wonderful Egyptian woman with her son and daughter - they were wonderful. So friendly and engaging. Her young children marveled at all of the colors and items in our studio and helped her to pack the travel bag to the brim. She told me that she sews at home and makes cultural clothing for herself and her family. She thanked me and gave us blessings saying that the work we were doing was wonderful for women.

Now the folks were flowing in.......


In walks a diminutive Filipino woman with her husband. She took in the surroundings with her eyes and smile beaming approval at every turn. Then she turn around and saw the piles of fabric around her and gasped! I ensured her that she would not have to take it all :)) I was to find out that evening that our studio had been "grace" by the ubiquitous Grace Edwards, currently the underground fashion darling of the FUN and FABULOUS. Grace Edwards is an avant garde fashion designer that has hit the New York scene by storm. With her unerring sense of style and vibrant color her styles are a hit with socialites such as 94 years YOUNG Zelda Kaplan!

Grace and Jack were wonderful and as we left we made sure we were going to keep in touch - hmmmm could there be some awesome collaborations between Grace and Sue Rock?

Our favorite neighbor and treasurer for the Crown Heights North Association Valorie Bowers came by. Valorie is super special for us. She represents a side of African American life in Brooklyn that is almost lost. A resident of the Crown Heights area for over 50 years, she lives in the same house she grew up in. Whenever she comes over, its a guarantee for good times and great conversation!

Next was Aisha from Medgar Evers who brought us a Brother Sewing Machine!



Musician Chris Faroe the brilliant co-founder of The Catweazle Club New York came through during the evening seeking out fabric for his open mic/theatre/poetry magic fest that happens each week at A Gathering of Tribes in the Lower East Side.

As he went through our collection of fabric pieces, three women walked in with the HUGEST garbage bags. Well it seemed that our most recent volunteer Trish brought her friends over to see our space and to also bring DONATIONS and I mean DONASHUNS - Trish had been hit with the Sue Rock bug early on and had begun to get all of her family members to get in their closets and let go of some of there excess shoes and handbags. Over 20 pairs of men's, women's and children's shoes were all donated to us, are beautiful and in great condition!

This busy evening winded down with a walkin from writer Victoria Cho. Victoria Cho is one of our neighbors who has continued to bless us with her bubbly personality. An Asian native from Virginia, she brings a contemporary spunky vitality to everything she does and her brilliant smile lit up our studio. "VICTORIA CHO" we all shouted, as if she was on the ancient television series CHEERS and we all scoffed at her being too busy to stop by ("Oh yeah, working on graduate school - PUH lease! Like you can't stop by and say hi to friends!") She shared what was going on in her life, what with temping, a writers workshop and a burgeoning novel. I encouraged her to come by once a month maybe for a reading. (as long as she threw in some racy parts towards the end - you know to keep people coming for the next week!)

That is how it is at the Sue Rock show - great characters, cast members you are just DYING to see again and the constancy of Sue and Jay Rock, sewing, weaving, typing and crocheting around it all......

See you next week!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month - but does anyone know?

So I have been tracking the news for the past two months and in New York alone there have been over 12 different stories about domestic violence incidents which ended in tragedy. These are the stories that you hear about of course because dramatic and exciting, they do not speak of the months or years a women or her family lived in terror.

I have had the greatest compassion for those women who leave everything, believing that their lives are worth more than the material things in their lives. Leave everything - having faith that life will provide something better.

Did you know that right now nationally

- 1 in FOUR women have experienced domestic violence in their lives?
- Historically women are abused by someone they KNOW
- 1 out of three women who are killed are VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!

These statistics are staggering. After the powerful years of the women's empowerment movements of the 1970's and 80's the fact that these statistics still ring true, only show there is so much more work to be done!!

Sue Rock Originals participates in TOYS FOR TOTS!

Hey we have just been requested to participate in the TOYS FOR TOTS Program.

A wonderful neighbor of ours Chanel Maye has just requested that we participate in the TOYS for TOTS Program.

Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which donates toys for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major William L. Hendricks. to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, a 501 charity located in Triangle, Virginia, serves to fund, raise funds for, and support the program.

What I hadn't realized was that Toys for TOTS has been around for so long. If you would like to participate in this program with us contact us at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com. We would like to get as many children as possible participating in this program and you are essential to making this happen.

The brilliant work of volunteer Andrew Eastmond

Todays times require high quality text, high quality images and great connections. We have been blessed with some wonderful committed volunteers who love what they do! This card is a collaboration with the work of photographer Janine Addison of Draco Photography. Her work as a contract photographer for three top modeling agencies brought us into contact with stunning professional models.

Three years later, this work remains strong as the graphic arts of Andrew Eastmond and our mission makes the images sing! Our most recent donation was of a beautiful infocard for use with our promotional material. We formally thank Andrew Eastmond and the team at CBS Outdoor!!

But where else can I find Sue Rock Originals Everyone Items?!

There are so many ways to support the work of Sue Rock Originals - recently a review of our blog noted that we had fogotten to mention so much of our work - mainly our contact info!!


For you dear friends of ours we can be reached atbut maybe its not volunteering you want but some fly Sue Rock Originals Gear - and in a hurry.

Take a look at our work on Smashing Darling

http://www.smashingdarling.com/store/sue-rock-originals

OR

Buy a share of our designs at the unique and innovative British site

CATWALK GENIUS

http://www.catwalkgenius.com/Sue_Rock_Originals/

Ooops, maybe Etsy is your style with vintage knit or crochet patterns -

Well you can support us there at http://www.etsy.com/shop/suerock?ref=seller_info!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

IQONS is a brilliant fashion site which evens the playing field between connecting with fashion professionals at all levels - www.iqons.com/sue+rock is where we can be found there.

But as always our work can be supported by your donations on Paypal:

suerockoriginals@yahoo.com

Or directly at

Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc.
50 East 18th Street Apt. A8
Brooklyn, NY 11226


All donations are tax deductible.

Donations to Safe Horizons with success!

When we began this adventure of philanthropy without funding whatta concept we were naïve enough to think we were joining an army of do-gooders who tirelessly worked to support people eon need. The 1970’s ad 80’s had brought a wellspring of brilliant non profits from youth, women, African Americans and Hispanics not to mention the gay and lesbian populations that have grown to serve the entire population.

Unfortunately this is not the case in 2010. Non profits are big business. Stretched to the limits with funding and filing responsibilities, most do not have the time or the staff to create programs for their populations.

Our donation drive held the week after Mothers Day was heartwarming as it was illuminating. This year we again partnered with Safe Horizon. I had great anticipation at meeting the residents. And why not? Now I would be able to share the hopes of their participation in our Domestic Violence Empowerment Series. I could share the beautiful items created and get first hand responses. The day began with two of our original volunteers stopping by to visit – Ramona Kearns and Al Asia Shelton – it was kismet!!

When I arrived at the residence I was welcomed by the director and social worker. Sue Rock Originals Everyone brought 12 huge bags of hand knits, donated clothing, shoes and purses. We also received a shopping bag full of hotel size toiletries, a generous donor collected from amongst her friends (truly a brilliant idea!)

When we settled into the common room, I situated myself among the women (and one man!) and began to speak…….

As I spoke the women looked at each other……

The one man left the room visibly moved…….

I told the story of our loss and how Sue Rock Originals Everyone seeks to assist each resident at the level they are able to receive help at this point. No questions need to be asked. No invasive forms to be filled out. Just come and receive the plentiful resources that are available to enable them to replace all the items they had left behind. Giving them the skills of their grands and great grands….

I then encouraged everyone to select the items I had showcased around the room (to their amazement)….

And then the tears began to flow……

Speak with the social worker who had facilitated my visit, she said over and over

"You have no idea what this has meant to these people. To give so generously of your time and bring handmade items for everyone is just amazing. These women have stories you would not have wanted for your worst enemy. And you just spoke to them from your heart – for some the first time since they have left that someone spoke to them like a human being”

I was curious as to what the feedback was form other groups who had come by and I learned the sad truth –

NO ONE comes by to help or provide services…….

These comments were received by residents of the Safe Horizon residence SROE visited. I feel that their words speak volumes.

• I want to thank Ms Rock for coming over and sharing the things she brought over. The program is very exciting and wonderful to hear how there’s a program out there that is willing show us and help us. She didn’t know me and made me feel welcome.

• I Love the styles, new colors, color mixes, the shape of the ideas bring out the personality in people’s styles. It also leaves hope for the future and a chance to give back.

• Ms. Rock introduced to us a window to learn how to make our own apparel and décor for ourselves. She was very informative and very kind in giving us sample so what people have made and donated.

• I am planning on going to this program. I am interested in learning how to make curtains, clothes, etc and I thought Ms. Rock gave an incredible presentation.

And finally

• Ms Rock I truly appreciate your innovative approach to helping and supporting the DV community. I’m inspired and motivated by your idea. THANK YOU TRULY AND SINCERELY you’ve made us feels acknowledged and appreciated!

And that’s what it’s all about isn’t it?

Sue Rock Originals Trunk Show and Rent Party

Get first dibs on our spring collection
Pick up hot spring tees and jeans from TBA
and enjoy delicious food, beverages and great music
at Sue Rock Originals

YOUR DONATIONS SUPPORT OUR WORK
HEALING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

SPRING TRUNK SHOW AND RENT PARTY

Donation - $10

Saturday, May 22 8:00pm - 1:00 am

Sue Rock Originals Everyone
Design Studio
1069 Bergen Street
Between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues

Sue Rock Originals Spring 2010 Collection
Urbanwear by William Fleet's TBA
Jackets and Skirts from Takeyah Jerome
By Kids For Kids Ceramics
Designer Men's Shirts (BCBG, Tommy Hilfiger, Sean John and more)
Crystal Chip Necklaces
and MORE!

The young women of SCO come to SEW!!!

The joy of doing filing is discovering old papers - Sue Rock Originals received a thank you from Safe Horizon's Director FIVE years ago. It has been five years that we have been collecting fabric donations, meeting wonderful people and most of all servicing women who have left their homes to explore a new life of peace.

Most recently we had an opportunity to work with young women who were currently homeless and living in a residence run by SCO Family of Services. According to their website "

SCO Family of Services has been caring for New York’s most vulnerable children and families for more than a century. Each year, we touch the lives of more than 30,000 people at 122 locations throughout New York City and Long Island.

Among our many services, SCO helps families devastated by poverty, children suffering from abuse and neglect, children and adults with special needs, and homeless families. SCO also provides innovative after-school programs and schools for children and teens with special needs. Additionally, SCO runs three neighborhood community service programs located in Brooklyn and Queens that provide a comprehensive range of services to sustain and nurture the family, thus ensuring the well-being of the community’s children.

The girls who came last Saturday came to offer Community Service and they got MORE than they bargained for - After light cleaning, they settled down and ALL LEARNED HOW TO SEW FOR THE FIRST TIME!!

Enjoy these photos!

FUNDRAISING DAY - MARCH 20, 2010

For five years, Sue Rock Originals has pursued a higher mission -to support and encourage women who leave the cycle of abuse by providing them with new clothes and an opportunity for self-sufficiency.

WE NEED TO RAISE FUNDS IMMEDIATELY OR WE WILL HAVE TO CLOSE OUR DOORS. WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Since receiving our current studio, we have held weekly sewing and crochet classes, continued to receive fabric and materials donations and created a Domestic Violence Empowerment Program which provides textile training to domestic violence survivors. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we successfully rallied over 200 volunteers at our studio to create 250 skirts for Haitian refugees.

The Press and Radio responses have been fantastic, as daily people come to learn and experience Sue Rock Originals

YOU CAN DONATE on SATURDAY, MARCH 20. WE WILL BE RECEIVING DONATIONS FROM 11 - 4:00pm AND WILL BE RAFFLING A BEAUTIFUL SPRING ITEM FOR ALL THOSE WHO DONATE $5

YOU CAN EVEN HELP US GET THE WORD OUT. SHARE THIS EVENT WITH FIVE FRIENDS AND LET THEM KNOW THEIR DONATION OF $5 WILL HELP SUPPORT THE LIFE OF A WOMEN AND HER FAMILY.

Thank you Greatly

(Donations can be accepted via Paypal at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com)

We have FOUND AN ORGANIZATION for the Haitian Sewing Project!!!

From the beginning our Sewing for Haiti project was aimed to create clothing for the women and girls who had survived the Haitian Earthquake. But there was something more. After seeing what happened in Katrina, with the Tsunami and other recent natural disasters, it was self evident that though financial outreach is "tsunami-like" in the beginning, people are not without their amnesia.

Time passes, stories change and life moves on. Consistenly during the tragedy in New Orleans, I thought of the children who were still separated from their families months later. Or of how people would not remember that there were still people seeking clothing and shelter where they had relocated. The sheer volume of the fabrics that had been donate spoke to reuse and revitalization - both for the people who would be willing to create the new items and for those receiving them.

After the phenomenal outpouring of support by men, women and children for the people of Haiti - our next step was to keep our ears to the gound and listen for those organizations which had shown their commitment to the Haitian people in the years before the earthquake.

Our research introduced us to an Italian dynamo - Mike Fedele - Founder of Life for the World.
Life for the World has been in Haiti for the past nine years running an orphanage and connecting with the community of Matelas, Haiti. What impressed me with Life for the World was their direction connection with Haitian people. Their organization (based in Indiana) had satellites in New York who had gone down without fanfare at least 6 times since the earthquake, checking on their orphans, and the people in the community. They assisted in 14 drops of food with NO incidents and had web coverage of everything.

When I spoke with Mike his passion was infectious. He encouraged me to send the images from the Sewing for Haiti event which he posted immediately on their site and tearfully overwhelmed AGREED TO ACCEPT OUR DONATIONS TO BRING DURING THEIR NEXT TRIP TO HAITI!!!!

Check out their site and make sure they feel your love!
http://lifefortheworld.com/blog/

"New York Group Arrives with More Food and Tents
Haitian-American supporters from NY just arrived at Maranatha via the DR for their 2nd humanitarian trip. They brought 60+ tents, donated by individuals in NY, as well as by Tent City. Thanks to the New Yorker’s for providing our Haitian neighbors with a home! NY York Team also filled the bus with more than 6,000 lbs. of food. Crossing from the DR was difficult this time, as the border patrols are now regularly shaking down folks bringing in humanitarian aid. A couple of tents were sacrificed to this process."

SEWING FOR HAITI brings over 200 people together!

On January 18, 2010, Sue Rock Originals Everyone made history by calling on volunteers to create wrap skirts for the survivors of the recent earthquake in Haiti. Men women and children from all walks of life answered the call and in a mere 8 hours bonded together to create over 250 skirts.

As the people poured in, some with babies in tow, some with sewing machines, the fabric was passed from hand to hand. People sewed sitting at machines, on the floor and standing up. When the studio reached capacity, people found nooks and crannies to fit themselves and continue working.

Sue Rock Originals Everyone will have sewing machines up for the month of February and will quality control the skirts throughout March. With our ears to the ground, we are looking at organizations who have established themselves in Haiti and are familiar with the ins and outs of distributing items to the communities. These organizations will be in place at the Tent Cities now growing and will have need for new clothing for these women and children.

Sue Rock Originals Design Studio
1069 Bergen Street
between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues
Brooklyn, New York 11226

All donations can be made
via Paypal at suerockoriginals@yahoo.com

For volunteering
Hours of Operation Tuesday through Saturday
11:00 - 6:00pm

Why We're Here

Sue Rock's store, a long narrow space on Bergen Street, has the eclectic look of a well worn workshop, overflowing with fabric, bobbins, thread and a mirror ball at center with a red frieze running the length of the store. Her call for volunteers to make skirts for Haitian girls and women has attracted an equally eclectic crowd--a student from Ithaca, a parks supervisor from Manhattan, a Brooklyn computer programmer, and dozens of others. The shop is crowded with some people working outside -- happily, the weather is definitely on our side -- but the sense here is relaxed and there are even moments of that kind of quiet that comes from people concentrating on their work.

Some of the volunteers came because they were looking for Martin Luther King Day volunteer opportunities. At the fabric sorting table, Igor, who works in advertising, said he found Sue Rock Originals through the MyBarackObama web site as did Charlene and Jessica. Charlene, whose family comes from Barbados, and Jessica, with family in Haiti, had wanted a chance to help give relief after the earthquake but wanted to do something more besides sending money. Lauren, another of the fabric sorters, was surprised that there were so few opportunities to actually do something for Haitians besides donating money.

Shirley, who is waiting for a chance to sew, brought her two children, Cheyenne and Zavier, to the event because, as a Haitian American, she wants to find some way to help while also exposing her children to a volunteer opportunity: "As long as Cheyenne gets a chance to sew, I'll be happy."

Natasha came because she had volunteered for Sue last year, and via facebook, learned about the event today. She's working on an industrial machine hemming a butter yellow material that will become one of the 500 skirts the Rocks plan to send to Haiti. The skirts will be sarong-style: "Making a button hole would take way too much time," she said.

Sue Rock Originals - Sewing for Haiti

So this is my first time blogging and about my fifth time sewing. Who knew the two would ever come together like this? Sue Rock has organized volunteers to come together on MLK Day to sew wrap skirts for Haitian women who have lost all of their possessions in the earthquake. There are about 40 people here in Brooklyn from all over NYC, all ages and ethnicities, with all levels of sewing skills, and lots of good energy. Right now we're getting everything set up (threading needles, sorting and cutting fabric, drinking our coffee and getting to know one another) so that we can start in on the project. Sue is thinking about the long-term needs of Haitians to make sure that as time goes by, when the world has moved on from responding to the crisis, we can keep having something to give to help make people's daily lives there a little better. She's also introducing people here to new and forgotten skills (witness me blogging and sewing). Thanks Sue, for creating a great way to spend MLK Day.
-Sarah Peterson

SRO SEWING FOR HAITI - MLK DAY OF SERVICE EVENT

ALL THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PROVIDING DIRECT SUPPORT:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

January 18, 2010

10:30 am - 6:00pm

Sue Rock Originals Design Studio

1069 Bergen Street

Between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues

Brooklyn, New York

Volunteers who can cut, sew, fold fabric, pack boxes and enjoy working together should come to our studio.

THE STUDIO WILL HAVE PERPETUAL SEWING MACHINES AVAILABLE AFTER THE DAY OF SERVICE FOR CONTINUAL SEWING OF CLOTHING FOR SURVIVORS OF THE EARTHQUAKE.

Our Hours of Operation are

Tuesday through Saturday

11:00am - 6:00pm

In honor of our wonderful Volunteers - HAPPY HOLIDAYS

The ladies from Urban River Arts!

As we come to the end of our first year at the studio - there are SO many people to thank. You see this whole thing is an experiment in "YES WE CAN". Is it possible to share the creative process with women in crisis and have it come together with all people?

And what we have found is YES, it is possible! Enjoy these photos of the men and women who have contributed so very much to make everything at Sue Rock Originals Everyone happen. People from all walks of life who have come at different phases to lend a helping hand and encourage us to keep doing what we are doing :))

Students from High Schools in New York City, volunteering during the summer!

Our co-director& fraternity brother Marcus - this summer his contributions were invaluable!

Bill and Russell made the front window happen, removing so much wood we could have made a tree house in the back on one of our maples!!

One of the most dynamic contacts this year, Professional Organizer Gen Wallace Roe and her daughter, bringing more donations to Sue Rock Originals Everyone!

Here we have Yuliya Khripukova from AHRC and two administrators. These women, working with the developmentally disabled, crocheted and sewed donations for Sue Rock Originals Everyone - AMAZING!! Here they are picking up the materials they will need for their contribution :))

Here are my daughter's crew - these young women (and my son) are some amazing painters and showed their skills working on one of the rooms we needed repainted - Go Girls!!

Diana Lau, Philanthropy Chair, Theta Phi Alpha Pratt University who is currently knitting items for us for the Spring.
Artist Kenya Robinson and fiber artist Katya Usivitsky who will be developing an art show with the needlework contributions of the summer

And the wonderful Allison Sciplin, Ohio native, Chicago transplant living in New York who has stepped in to make amazing things happen for us this year. She has lovingly committed to becoming out grantwriter and developing our strategic plans for the future.

The year began with the passing of my father. In the process of developing this center, the love support and creative interactions are something he would been encouraged and amazed by. We look forward to sewing classes for the winter, crochet and knitting classes for the community and continued connection with domestic violence survivors.

And of course -

We look forward to meeting you!

Come on by our Design Studio

Sue Rock Originals Everyone, Inc.
1069 Bergen Street
between Nostrand and Rogers Avenues
Brooklyn, New York
Tuesday through Saturday
11:00 am - 6:00pm!

"So what do we need?" - EVERYTHING!

Many of our knit and crochet volunteers ask what we need created for domestic violence survivors. Well the answer is simple EVERYTHING! .......However, when volunteers begin to create, the answer becomes a bit more specific when we look at the condition of survivors of domestic violence living in residences.

When a woman enters a residence, whether as a single woman or a mother, she usually enters with the clothes on her back and her identification in a plastic bag. Once she is placed in an apartment, she is brought to a room or basement area where all the clothes that have been collected have been stored. There, she may have to rifle through bins of clothes that have not been sorted, or go through racks of folded clothes that are out of season or ill fitting. This, after she has made the most difficult decision in her life.

Though the apartments are generously outfitted due to corporate donations, they are utility apartments nonetheless, craving a personal touch.

For domestic violence shelters, there are a bounty of donations for children but rarely are there donations geared to the women themselves. Sue Rock Originals Everyone fills that gap!

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So lets think - What would you need if you walked out the house never to return? Well yes there is the eponymous "hat and scarf set" however what if it is summer. Just how long is a tank top, jeans and flip flops acceptable attire for work, school and shopping? These are the questions that force women to return home where though there is violence, there is at least normalcy and YOUR STUFF!!!

We encourage our volunteers to choose from the following types of items:

Wardrobe Extenders

Vests

Ponchos

Wraps

Shrugs

Capelets

Apparel

Sweaters

Tops

Skirts

Jackets

Accessories

Scarves

Purses

Pocketbook

Handbag

Cellphone/Blackberry case

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These items are just the beginning. We have had one volunteer who specially designed bags which would be perfect for documents and could hold 8 1/2 x 11 paper without folding. Another volunteer created a magnificent car coat with matching paper boy cap! What we find most of all is that volunteers - challenged by the types of projects we are requesting - are motivated beyond their comfort zone to design and create unique original items they may have never considered

We hope you will contact us and consider volunteering to make something wonderful for a woman in need. She has made that powerful and courageous first step - your creativity can make a difference in her life!

Sue Rock

SAVE THE DATE NOVEMBER 14, 2009 RENT PARTY

SAVE THE DATE

RENT PARTY

Sue Rock Originals Everyone

SATURDAY 11/14/09

Goodie Bags for first 75 people

$10

1069 Bergen Street bet Nostrand and Rogers Brooklyn

So what do you do when there is NO ONE to donate to?

So.........

With a trunk full of donations.....

and my last $20........

I head off to (unnamed) domestic violence shelter to bring donations that have been presented to SROE for the past three months.....

For women in crisis.......

An appointment that had been scheduled ahead of time......

Three blocks away, I get the call in the cab....

"Oh......so you ARE coming.....well....its just that.......welll.......there isn't anyone here..."

WHAT?

So how many women were there?

"two"

TWO?!!!! Don't you let people know, I mean, wasn't there any announcement?

"well, yes we DO send out flyers and its just that women have appointments and some of the women were sick and they go out and well.....We can't KEEP them here......its just the way it is......that's part of the problem, we try to have programs here for the women and then we only have one person come..... But we can schedule for next week....."

Ah yes NEXT week - however, NEXT week isn't Domestic Violence Awareness Month is it? no.... now that I think about it NEXT week its NOVEMBER hmmmmm......... and we have all these donations......

Lets go over the list......

DV shelter 1 doesn't take donations (other than monetary), DV shelter 2 doesn't allow you to even come to the residences but takes donations at the door of their office (?!! hugely satisfying - NOT!) and now this.......

The disappointment is beyond description.......

Thank you all for your continued support - just wish it was appreciated by the organizations we are trying to service.......