Our annual gift to employees for 2020 were journals made by women who are rewriting their own stories. Leather-bound and imprinted with the VyStar logo, the journals were produced by employees of Rethreaded, a Jacksonville-based nonprofit that provides jobs to human trafficking survivors.
In February 2020, our President/CEO, Brian Wolfburg, toured the Rethreaded facility in Downtown Jacksonville and had the opportunity to talk with many of the women who work there. “There are individuals in our community who are at risk or who have had experiences in their past, and they need assistance. We need to be there for everyone in our community,” said Brian.
New Opportunities for Survivors
Dating back to its founding in 2012, Rethreaded has employed 40 women who are human trafficking survivors. In addition to making scarves, jewelry, home goods and more, they also have opportunities for employment in fields like production, marketing, finance and administration.
VyStar’s gift order was a significant source of momentum for Rethreaded, according to Kristin Keen, the Founder/CEO. “This partnership has been a game-changer for us,” she said. “This was our largest corporate gift order in history, and through that, we got to hire two more women.
“When we first started it, we were like, ‘How are we going to get this done in this time frame?’ And we did it. It actually increased the capability of our team,” said Kristin.
A Local Solution to a Global Problem
Human trafficking remains a worldwide problem, with effects that can be felt in Northeast Florida. But through the work of organizations such as Rethreaded, many survivors have the opportunity to rebuild their lives. We’re proud to support Rethreaded and give our employees a gift that holds tremendous meaning with the turn of each page.
If you’re interested in finding ways to support Rethreaded’s mission, or if you want to view their stylish, high-quality products, stop by their store at 820 Barnett St. in Jacksonville, or visit the Rethreaded website.