Nonprofit helping women gain job skills, confidence, contribute to downtown Raleigh commercial development

Getting a job isn't easy when you have no work history, no transportation or you've been down on your luck for a long time. But one organization in Raleigh is lifting up unemployed women, and at the same time, contributing to the economic development of downtown Raleigh.

When 21-year-old Nour Alfadel first arrived from Jordan with her family several months ago, she had no idea how to get a job.

"New country, new people and new culture," described Alfadel. "It's hard to be a girl here and work."

A refugee organization connected Alfadel with Designed for Joy, a local nonprofit partnered with the Women's Center to create a day program where women make items like jewelry and purses and get paid a living wage.

"It's given me a lot of experience and a lot of confidence in myself," said Alfadel.

Designed for Joy founder Cary Heise said women don't need to have previous skills to come in. The nonprofit will teach women the necessary skills, such as marking holes in purses to put the strap in.

"We hire women [that] a lot of people wouldn't hire. We hire people emerging from trafficking, homelessness, prison and refugees. We give them a safe place to find some confidence," said Heise.

The program is now expanding - including moving from a 1,200-square-foot space in North Raleigh to a 5,000-square-foot warehouse - and taking advantage of the renaissance happening.

"Seeing the resurgence and redevelopment is really cool," said Christina Coffey, the vice-president of commercial real estate company Lee and Associates.

Coffey said re-purposing older buildings helps bring new life to downtown Raleigh.

"There's new developers, not just local, but out-of-state developers that are coming in, and they're pouring money into downtown Raleigh," she said.

But, Alfadel said the biggest renaissance taking place is in the lives of women.

"When I came here, it was like I dream ... I didn't believe it," said Alfadel.

"Many women come to us with no job history, or maybe job history in the sex industry, and we give them a solid job reference, and we help them refresh their resume and get out there into full-time work," added Heise.

Designed for Joy's employees get paid $15 and generally stay for six to nine months, then, they usually have the confidence and skills to pursue a full-time job.