So, I have been kinda Rollin with this theme of how I have seen God moving in my city and around the world lately. I can't move on without talking about Rethreaded. Rethreaded is a non-profit/ministry started by my friend Kristin Keen. I have been volunteering with them when I can and it has completely changed my views on women and the world.
Rethreaded's mission is to love women affected by the sex trade by fostering relationship and life-giving community. I know it just sounds creepy when I say that I love women affected by the sex trade, so save the jokes. I don't know any other way to state how I feel about this though. Rethreaded's vision is to unravel the effects of the sex trade by fighting business with business on a global and local level. Rethreaded seeks to unravel the effects of the sex trade, whether it takes the form of human trafficking, prostitution, pornography, or strip clubs. This multibillion dollar industry is founded on the exploitation of mostly women and children. As an organization, Rethreaded wants to provide safe, viable and dignity-giving work to survivors of the sex trade. (Just watch the video above)
Ok, that last paragraph was pretty much plagiarized from the Rethreaded website. I couldn't tell you what they stand for better than Kristin did, so I didn't even try. I can tell you that what they do is amazing. There are so many people in the world who are affected by the sex trade in one way or another. I think there needs to be more people in the world working against this epidemic.
Rethreaded is not only a hub for other non-profits from places like India and Africa to get their products exposure in the States, they also help women right here in Jacksonville. They do this through their upcycled T-shirt company. After their employees are taken through a four month holistic training at Rethreaded where they learn art, sewing, life skills and design, they work as full time artisan seamstresses making various products including their popular children's line. Each piece represents a new story for a woman in Jacksonville who has been affected by the sex trade. (There may or may not have been some plagiarizing done here too.)
On a global level, they work with companies like Sari Bari (a company in India co-founded by Kristin) and others from around the world who sell products made by women who have found freedom from the sex trade. Let me just tell you, the products made at Rethreaded and these other companies are awesome. When I was volunteering at the Rethreaded warehouse last week tagging new Sari Bari products that had just come in, I pretty much figured out what I'm getting my sisters, my mom and some other women in my life for Christmas this year. (Sorry for the spoiler ladies.)
Rethreaded has been getting more and more publicity around Jacksonville. They won One Spark last year. I'm not sure how to accurately describe One Spark except to say that it is this exposition in downtown Jacksonville where people exhibit their artwork, music or business ideas and the crowd votes on what they think the best idea is. It wasn't surprising when Rethreaded won. How could people not vote for something this cool? People around town, both Christian and non-Christian really seem to be behind the whole idea. Every time I wear my Rethreaded T-shirt, somebody stops me wanting to know more about it or to just tell me how cool they think Rethreaded is. God is really using this ministry to reach all kinds of people.
I know I have used the name Rethreaded a whole lot in this post, but I figured the more I wrote it, the harder it would be for you to forget. If you have any interest in learning more about Rethreaded, you can check them out at: Rethreaded.com. The website has their products, info on how to donate to this great cause of helping women find freedom from the sex trade, ways to get involved, and the story of how the whole thing got started. I would suggest that everybody check it out and get involved in some way. I know it has opened my eyes to how much the world is affected by this evil industry. Rethreaded fights a business that exploits with a business that heals. Love Y'all!!!
