All of the following brands have some connection to our beautiful state and part (or all) of their proceeds go towards fighting human trafficking in one way or another. Cross out what you need from your Gift List! Here are the stories behind them:
Dear Survivor is based in Los Angeles and is branching out to employ refugees. During undergrad, Christine lived across the street from a brothel. She saw how slow the legal process can be to close these businesses down even with a whole neighborhood collaborating against it. She made Dear Survivor’s mission “To empower people and planet through good design.” Dear Survivor is dedicated to using sustainable and long lasting materials for their earrings — their materials include upcycled leather, pineapple leaves (yes, pineapple), cork, and recycled rubber. Dear Survivor has partnered with Generate Hope, a San Diego based rehabilitation home for female survivors.
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Alabaster Jar is a a long-term residential program for women who have survived human trafficking and sexual exploitation located in North County, San Diego. They also have a resource center and peer support groups. Half of their staff are survivors themselves. Alabaster Jar sells body scrub, lip balm, and body balm — all of their proceeds go toward supporting their many projects.
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Purpose Jewelry is handcrafted, processed, signed, packaged, inventoried and shipped by survivors of human trafficking. All of their profits go to International Sanctuary. They have five different locations around the world — India, Uganda, Mexico and two in their home base, Orange County, CA! They specialize in providing the skills and resources to find employment, enabling survivors to achieve economic freedom. They have a great collection of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, holiday ornaments and candles.
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Trades of Hope exists to help mothers keep their children, protect them and provide for a brighter future. They employ artisans in nine different countries and support survivors of human trafficking in seven other countries. One of their partnering shelters is located in Los Angeles and is dedicated to helping women leave sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Trades of Hope takes the concept of purchasing power to another level by providing the story behind each of their products. They have a wide variety of home decor, jewelry, apparel, body products and a special line of Christmas Decorations!
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Awaken Fair Trade is based in Fallbrook, CA and is dedicated to making apparel, home goods and jewelry by employing women exiting sex trafficking in Bangkok, Thailand. By empowering them with dignified work and a sustainable living wage, they are able to exit the life successfully. Take a look at their beautiful line of hand made scarves!
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UNCVRD has partnered up with a local organization Gems Uncovered, dedicated to street outreach in Long Beach, Compton and Los Angeles. They also have a diversion program and resource center. For every necklace, ring, earring or bracelet UNCVRD sells, 40% of their profits are donated to Gems Uncovered.
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Bracha was created by two sisters who are passionate about natural stone, creating their own line of jewelry. Part of their proceeds go toward fighting human trafficking by partnering with Chain Reaction, Refuge City. and A21 (which has an office in Costa Mesa, CA). They make necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings, and their motto is that “every design has freedom in mind.”
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From Fair Trade Handbags to Vegan Wallets, Malia Designs’ primary mission is to employ disadvantaged people in Cambodia, mainly at-risk women and people with disabilities. They have philanthropic partners who help prevent human trafficking. They have donated over $160,000 to organizations in Cambodia and the US. They will be hosting a wholesale trade show in Los Angeles Market Center in January.