We also love the opportunity to shine a spotlight on our clients and are honored to share the work that Southwest Airlines is doing with Rethreaded, a local Jacksonville organization that helps women reclaim their lives after surviving the world of human trafficking. It’s an organization that is close to the hearts of many Beeline team members.
“If you place women in a community and you economically empower them, you take away almost every vulnerability they have,” said Kristen Keen, Founder and CEO of Rethreaded. “You can’t have a new life unless you have access to a new job and a new community.”
Rethreaded has been based in Jacksonville since the summer of 2012. Keen started the organization after returning from living in Kolkata, India for two years and working with and employing survivors of the sex trade. When she returned to the U.S. and spoke with survivors in Jacksonville, she realized that the same trafficking exists on a local level and decided to start Rethreaded. Since it was founded, Rethreaded has provided more than 35 women with a supportive work environment where they can learn a new skill and experience continued healing through community.
In November 2017, Southwest Airlines collaborated with Rethreaded on an international upcycle initiative, the Rethreaded x Southwest accessories collection. This line of leather fashion jewelry and accessories is crafted by survivors of human trafficking from repurposed Southwest leather seat covers. The newest product line in collaboration with Southwest, the Project Runway All Stars Collection, launches today, and you can click here to shop the latest products.
There are also many ways that you and your organization can get involved with Rethreaded and their mission to break the cycle of human trafficking:
Host a lunch and learn. Invite Rethreaded to come to your office and educate your employees about human trafficking. They’ll also set up a pop-up shop so your employees can see and purchase the various products. Contact Rethreaded for more information.
Host a pop-up shop at your office. Give your employees a chance to shop Rethreaded’s products and learn more about their mission. Contact Rethreaded for more information.
Corporate gifts. Provide clients with a Rethreaded gift box filled with branded products.
Make a donation. Donations go directly to survivor services and allow Rethreaded to provide a mental health counselor, survivor mentoring staff, weekly mental health classes, and holistic care management.
Purchase Rethreaded’s products. Rethreaded’s sales allow them to increase their capacity to create work and hire more survivors.
Hire survivors of human trafficking.
We understand the importance of supporting local philanthropic businesses, like Rethreaded, and encourage others to do the same. Our team has enjoyed volunteering with Rethreaded and purchasing their products at pop-up shops hosted in the Beeline Jacksonville office. We are proud of the amazing work Southwest and Rethreaded have accomplished and look forward to the continued success of their partnership.
