FAQs
How do you say “lagniappe”? What does it mean?
Pronounced “lan∙yap”, a word popular in the New Orleans area, it denotes “a little extra” or "an unexpected gift". It is a French & Spanish adaptation of the Quechua word, la ñapa, meaning “gift”. This term brings to mind God’s grace, a spontaneous and unmerited gift.
Don’t job skills programs exist? Why Lagniappe?
Sheridan County does not currently have a paid job skills program designed to equip participants for employment at living wages. Even relatively successful job skills programs are often out-of-reach for parents because they require parents to quit jobs and/or pay for childcare while committing to an unpaid pursuit for several weeks. At Lagniappe, parents are paid as they learn commercial sewing, as well as their time spent pursuing relevant supportive education and programming that fosters long-term personal and financial independence (such as earning a GED).
What kind of supportive programming?
Examples include: job search mentoring, classes, leadership development, Christian spiritual formation & growth, individual or family counseling, driver’s license education, acquiring a GED, financial literacy, health & nutrition, and cooking.
What skills does Lagniappe teach?
The Lagniappe program features a commercial sewing center where trainees learn industrial sewing by creating practical items like tote bags, aprons, and pet beds from donated and repurposed materials.
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Along the way, they practice transferable workplace skills such as teamwork, communication, reliability, time management, and problem-solving.
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Trainees also receive personalized job search support from volunteer mentors with professional backgrounds in communications, career coaching, and vocational counseling. Mentors help them strengthen resumes, practice interviewing, and build confidence for the workplace.
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Each week, trainees take part in community service, learning new skills while giving back locally.
What do you define as “living wages”?
A living wage is one which allows a household to afford commonly accepted necessities for the area (food, housing, transportation, clothing, etc.) without any public or private assistance. Lagniappe will use a variety of sources, such as the Wyoming Self-Sufficiency Calculator and MIT’s Living Wage Calculator to determine if we are in line with living wages for our area.
Do you have to be a parent? A single parent? A single mother?
When parents leave poverty, so do their children. Therefore, Lagniappe is focused on employing parents, in order to reduce our community’s poverty rate as quickly as possible. Also, working-age people without children can obtain employment that covers their necessities more easily than parents, simply because they have fewer expenses.
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Lagniappe is interested in employing people with minor dependents, married or unmarried.
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Although the poverty rate for Sheridan County is under 10%, the poverty rate for single mothers is 23-33%, depending on the ages of their children. Most of our applicants and participants are single mothers, but it isn’t a requirement. Fathers are welcome; our first graduate was a married father.​
What are the other application requirements? How do you find applicants?
In addition to being financially responsible for minor dependents, applicants should meet income guidelines for the SNAP (food stamps) program. Candidates under the Federal Poverty guidelines will be given priority. Exceptions to income requirements can be made on a case-by-case basis.
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Lagniappe reaches out to local agencies to identify suitable candidates and conduct on-site job interviews. However, anyone who meets the criteria and is seeking full-time employment is encouraged to apply. Applications are available here.
Why have you chosen these projects?
If trainees are learning sewing, they need to create something — and we strive to make that “something” both practical and meaningful. Our projects are chosen because they are simple to learn, make use of repurposed materials, and meet real needs in our community. From durable pet beds to duffel bags for foster children, the goal is to create useful items that benefit others while building skills and confidence
Can you really earn a living by sewing?
A handful of businesses in the area incorporate industrial sewing in their products and pay living wages. However, every trainee combines her or his unique strengths, work history, and background with new skills to create a path forward that may or may not include sewing. Lagniappe trainees have obtained entry-level positions with the federal government, local manufacturers, school district, and other employers that provide full-time, benefitted employment with opportunities to advance.
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How long is your program?
Lagniappe is designed as a stepping stone, not a permanent placement. There isn’t a set length of time—some trainees secure living-wage employment after just a few months, while others take longer depending on their goals and circumstances.
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“Graduation” looks like a job offer. Throughout their time with us, trainees receive individualized mentoring, case management, and daily support. When someone is ready to move forward, we celebrate and encourage that next step.
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Because the program is focused on employment, participants who stop working toward outside job goals will need to transition out
Why be a non-profit? If you’re selling stuff, why not be a business?
While we sell products, our primary goal isn’t profit — it’s people. Few businesses exist to invest deeply in employees with the expectation that they’ll move on to other jobs. Lagniappe does.
Product sales cover some costs, but donations make it possible to provide the mentoring, training, and support services that aren’t funded through sales. As a nonprofit, every dollar goes back into strengthening the program and community impact — and gifts are tax-deductible.
Is this a ministry? How will the gospel be preached?
The Gospel of God’s grace through Christ can be proclaimed in a variety of ways through Lagniappe’s work. Participants know upon applying that Lagniappe is a Christian ministry and, even though conversion or adherence to Christianity is not required, there will be opportunities for prayer, spiritual discussion, and classes regarding Christian spiritual formation and growth. We ask that both the offering and declination of activities like prayer be done in a respectful manner. Small church fellowship groups may informally “adopt” a participant and her/his family.
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Furthermore, Lagniappe will adhere to Business as Mission principles described here. You should expect to see intentional interpretations of Christian disciplines such as silence and solitude, sabbath, service, tithing, and celebration “baked into” Lagniappe’s organizational DNA as it pursues and supports apprenticeship to Jesus.
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The Nicene Creed informs our outlook on orthodoxy.
What is Grace Anglican’s role?
Every idea needs a home! Grace Anglican Church was the sponsoring entity (fiscal sponsor) of Lagniappe, lending building space, prayer support, and the ability to make tax-deductible contributions while Lagniappe pursued becoming a 501c3. Lagniappe now has tax-exempt status, as well as its own governing board, budget, and bylaws.
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Grace Anglican Church is uniquely situated to currently house Lagniappe, not only because it has available room in its facility, but also features a commercial kitchen, community garden, and storage space for inventory.
Where does your funding come from?
Lagniappe is funded primarily by generous community members who believe in our mission. While we sell some of the items made in our sewing center at local retailers like Rooster’s and Carroll’s Furniture, most of our support comes from donations.
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These gifts make it possible for trainees to gain skills, mentoring, and support on their way to self-sufficiency. In a world of bad news, stories of transformation bring hope — and your support makes them possible.
How do I donate money or materials?
You can donate online or by mailing checks to:
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Lagniappe Ministries
P.O. Box 6355
Sheridan, WY 82801
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Before donating materials, please email info@lagniappesheridan.org as our storage space is limited. We especially welcome partnerships with businesses that regularly use canvas, upholstery foam, Sunbrella, Cordura, Crypton, Kevlar-reinforced fabrics, or other indoor–outdoor textiles.
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We also accept donations of durable fabrics, heavy-duty needles, thread, zippers, new upholstery foam, and fiberfill.
Do you need volunteers?
Yes! Volunteer sewing instructors are needed, as well as people who teach budgeting, anger management, parenting, or Christian spiritual formation. We could also use volunteers interested in assisting with administrative tasks, mailings, case management, fundraising, marketing, and website design. We are particularly looking for those who have experience in the helping professions, social work, and vocational rehabilitation. Lagniappe needs board members, community advisors, mentors, etc. Even if your skill or background hasn’t been specifically mentioned, we’d love to hear from you if you see yourself contributing to Lagniappe. Please fill out the volunteer form if interested in volunteering.