Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Program Teaching Young Women To Reupholster Furniture Holding 5K Fundraiser

 The 5K walk will be at Sherman Park.
The 5K walk will be at Sherman Park.
View Full Caption
Facebook

ENGLEWOOD — A free program that teaches young women how to reupholster furniture will host a walk on Saturday to raise money for its summer program.

The 4th Annual Teena’s Legacy 5K Walk will take place at Sherman Park, 1301 W. 52nd Street from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Tickets are $20-$40 via EventBrite. Donations are also accepted. This year’s theme is “African Connection.”

“Each year we come together to walk and learn in unity,” said Jamika Smith, who founded the organization.

“We walk to emphasize understanding, right action and human dignity for all,” Smith said. “We walk together to be the models by which our children learn to become peaceful agents of change. We walk to be the change we wish to see in our community and in our world.”

 Teena's Legacy founder Jamika Smith teaches young women furniture reupholstery skills.
Teena's Legacy founder Jamika Smith teaches young women furniture reupholstery skills.
View Full Caption
Facebook

RELATED: Englewood Teens Reupholstering Furniture Fun

The money raised goes toward Teena's Legacy Summer Apprentice Program and its annual retreat for young women.

Smith launched the program in summer 2014 with only five girls and women ages 16-21. The Chicago Lawn resident and mother said many of the participants come from challenging backgrounds and rough neighborhoods.

“The underlying message is to help women heal their souls,” Smith said. “When you start to break down the chair, sometimes you notice some wood is broken or pieces need to be mended. Well, this is related to their life. Something needs to be restored in their own life.”

Even though reupholstery isn’t her occupation — she’s a life coach and stay–at-home mother — Smith passes down the skills her grandmother taught her and her mother when working with the young women.

“Teena’s Legacy," a nonprofit, was launched in 2012 to honor her grandmother Alberteen “Teena” Stredrick, who died in 2010. The reupholstery program is one aspect of Teena's Legacy.