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About
Designlabgive
DLG is a nonprofit organization based in Miami that aims to close the cycle of poverty through creativity (mainly by making tutorials, and teaching valuable skills).
DesignLab Give (DLG) was born in 2017, when Angie Cohen, the founder of DesignLab Miami—a creative sewing studio—shared her vision with a few of her students.
“My dream is to teach these classes to the women who need them and don’t have the same privilege to access them."
Sharing her vision, Paula Villamizar took this dream to another level by founding DLG. Soon enough, other team members joined.
Our team carefully crafts learning programs with a focus on a dedicated one-on-one approach, ultimately providing the necessary tools for girls & women to succeed.
With these learned skills, communities and families all benefit.
Our aim is simple; to change the cycle of poverty through creativity, for as many women as possible, one person at a time.
The United Nations Fashion & Lifestyle Network plays a key role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by connecting industry stakeholders, media, governments, and UN entities.
The UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network, led by the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the Fashion Impact Fund, stands as a catalyst for sustainable development within the fashion and lifestyle sectors.
Learn more about our commitment to drive change: unfashionlifestyle.org
A message from our Academic Director, Angie Cohen:
My mission is to empower women and children by teaching traditional skills that enable them to sustain themselves and support their families. Our programs are tailored to each group’s unique cultural background and country, blending their rich traditions with innovative processes and sustainable practices.
I design lessons that not only honor and preserve these traditions but also incorporate new technologies and creative methods, allowing participants to transform their heritage into modern, marketable products. This approach fosters both self-sufficiency and a source of income through the sale of their unique creations.
Beyond practical skills, my greatest hope is that each individual discovers the confidence and aspirational drive to open doors beyond their current circumstances—unlocking new opportunities, connecting with the world, and realizing their full potential. I am passionate about encouraging resourcefulness—exploring the materials and tools available in their environment—and weaving these elements into the core lessons to create meaningful, culturally rich, and impactful learning experiences.
A Message From Our Former Head of Growth and Co-founder, Paula Villamizar:
As Head of Growth at DesignlabGive, my role is to connect DLG with organizations that share our mission, acting as a bridge where we bring our knowledge and skills to empower communities. I passionately coordinate our trips, ensuring that each experience is safe, meaningful, and fulfilling for everyone involved. The heart of our work lies in mutual learning—building lasting friendships has been the most rewarding part of my journey. As an entirely volunteer-driven organization, we thrive because of those who believe in our mission and invest in sparking creativity wherever we go.
Why Online Tutorials?
We were scheduled to travel to Kenya in June 2020, but the trip was canceled due to the pandemic. We turned a problem into a solution by connecting with our students via Zoom. What started as a virtual greeting with our Dago students became a fully-fledged class.
Without much to lose, we followed the rest of the world and reinvented our workshops to weekly 2-hour classes. We have fought language barriers, connectivity issues, the limits of manual sewing machines, lack of proper fabrics and many other challenges. Nevertheless, DLG has sparked creativity by showing a group of girls across the globe that anything is possible. We have taught classes from apron to backpacks, our favorite tutorial being the reusable feminine care pad so Dago girls can manage their periods the way they deserve.
Simple tutorials such as ours are the beginning of many possibilities.
Special Thanks to Our Incredible Volunteers!
Our volunteers are the soul of our organization. We have both teens and adults dedicating their time in any which way possible, truly believing in all that we do.
None of our work at DLG would be a reality without their dedication to our various endeavors.
Together, DLG has grown into what it is today. And we are grateful for them.
Anyone, including you, can become a volunteer at DLG. Just contact us!
