Strength & Purpose: Path to Economic Independence

The Anchored Mouse

Who are we?

Anchored Mouse is a social enterprise.

Anchored Mouse is about seven women with a common thread, their connection with Elizabeth Fry New Brunswick, a feminist, non-profit organisation centred in Saint John, NB. It is about their singular courage, strength, and purpose to move past everything they are up against.

Can you imagine being homeless, living in a tent, experiencing intimate partner violence? Imagine being criminalized and separated from your children? Or being a single mother bringing up two young girls alone, having left a violent relationship in fear for their safety? Can you imagine living in poverty, with a criminal record from 30 years ago that is constantly keeping you back from sustainable employment? Can you imagine fleeing a war-torn country ahead of your partner and children to begin a new life in a strange country? Or being a new mother struggling with depression and anxiety and choosing to cope with substance use? Can you begin to imagine?

From homelessness, violence, criminalization, and lives disrupted, seven women came together and dreamed of possibilities for themselves and others to develop a way to provide sustainable and economic equity for women in New Brunswick. They committed to create, personally sew, and sell specialized therapeutic weighted stuffed animals and weighted lap blankets for children and adults experiencing anxiety, stress, and sensory challenges.

Our logo, created by one of our sewers, features Mouse, a small rescue dog that is blind, deaf, and lovable, and adopted by our community. A great comfort to all who come to the EFryNB office and sewing space, he has accompanied these seven women every step of the way. The word Anchor was added because of the Maritime location, but also the grounding and foundation building that this Social Enterprise offers.

How are we making change?

From a life that feels that there is no way through the hard stuff, each woman is rediscovering her strengths and a sense of possibility for change. Avid learners, they are acquiring sewing skills, writing a business plan, creating prototypes to test and sell based on input from potential customers, designing a logo, and working collaboratively to make it all happen.

Combining meticulous attention to high quality and personalized craftsmanship, each product feels like a warm gentle hug that soothes and calms, regardless of age or circumstance. The tenderness and care each sewer stitches into the soft, warm animals and lap blankets bring smiles and joy to everyone who comes in the sewing room. Through Anchored Mouse, each woman is empowered and committed to give back to her community, with love and care.

How Can You Help?

We are excited to invite you to work with us in getting these therapeutic products into the hands of those who need them the most.

Please help us raise the $20,000 start-up funds we need to purchase fabric, industrial sewing machines, a sewing space, worktables, wages, training, and supplies to make and distribute our products.

By purchasing one or more of our weighted cats or dogs for $200., you will be working with us to help women impacted by criminalization achieve economic independence and contribute to community wellness. You will receive your very own stuffed animal with a hand-written thank you note from one of our sewers telling her story, and a tax receipt for 50% of the value of your contribution.

We invite you to be recognized in our Founders Circle, a posting on our website thanking you for your generous and thoughtful contribution:

• Gold Circle with purchase of 5 cats or dogs;

• Silver Circle with purchase of 3;

• Bronze Circle with purchase of 1.

All donations are welcomed! We also appreciate your help by sharing our link and sharing our story. Thank you!

Anchored Mouse is a project of Elizabeth Fry New Brunswick, a registered charity.

Women and gender-diverse individuals impacted by criminalization thrive in a socially just society.