Heartisans Marketplace in Longview provides job training, housing, and child care for women seeking to rebuild their lives, entirely funded by products created on-site by volunteers. The organization operates a work readiness program, offering a path to independence for women aiming to secure employment and care for their families. Sales from a variety of handmade goods directly support the program’s operations.
The marketplace is described as a new beginning for many, distinguishing itself from a consignment store or a typical gift shop. Its core mission is to support women in its program through practical job skills and essential life services. To achieve this, Heartisans Marketplace operates several distinct studios, functioning as a "funnel" where revenue from retail sales helps to sustain the entire operation, keeping the lights on and the programs running.
Volunteer teams staff studios dedicated to sewing, cooking in a kitchen, knitting and crochet, embroidery, and vinyl services. These volunteers create a wide array of products, including clothing, blankets, granola, soaps, custom orders, wholesale items, laundry detergent, and candles, all of which are featured on the retail floor. The items are produced on-site, with some volunteers bringing long-standing commitment to the mission.
Deann Coker, a sewing volunteer, emphasized the organization's comprehensive approach. She noted that many people are "misinformed about what we do," clarifying that the mission is to help women achieve independence. Coker, who feels blessed not to have been in similar circumstances, views her skills as a gift to offer the program. Denise Morris, the Production Manager, has dedicated over ten years to this cause, initially seeking to connect with people and help women while learning new crafts. She now teaches participants the very skills she once sought to acquire, such as making laundry detergent, soap, and candles.
Both Coker and Morris have observed significant transformations among the women participating in the program. Women gain confidence, change their views of themselves, and become prepared for new opportunities. Some program graduates even return to Heartisans Marketplace, using their newly acquired skills to give back and support other women in similar situations, creating a supportive cycle within the community.
Heartisans Marketplace continues its work in Longview, offering a pathway for women to develop skills, secure stability, and foster a sense of self-reliance, all sustained by the dedication of its volunteers and the sales of their handcrafted goods.
