WHAT’S NEW

Children Love the Dream Ditty Bag!

Product Review: Dream Ditty Bags

By Courtenay Bowser

My son Elijah spotted the Ironman bag the minute he walked in the door! It was a Rethreaded Dream Ditty Bag made from an upcycled Ironman t-shirt. He had to have it!

He enjoys being at Rethreaded, and always likes it when we visit the warehouse. But, now he had something special from Rethreaded that was his very own. He carried his Dream Ditty bag around everywhere that first day.

He loves the rock crayons and says that his favorite part is, “getting to color all my pictures in it.” He is referring to the special Rethreaded journal inside, made just for kids. He thinks it’s so cool to have his very own journal and crayons to keep his pictures and dreams chronicled from day to day.

As a mom, I think these bags are a brilliant idea for kids. I love everything that Rethreaded stands for – the opportunities Rethreaded gives women to “sew a new story,” achieving new dreams in their lives. The Dream Ditty bags carry that theme forward to the children. Each child can believe that there is something special about their own future, and use their bag and journal to truly dream and imagine.  And, let’s be honest, all kids – boys and girls alike – love little bags to keep their “special stuff” safe.

Rethreaded’s Dream Ditty bags would be great gifts for any elementary age child!! 

Why Should You Come to Rethreaded’s Film Showing?

Not many people would give up a Friday night to learn about the sex trade. The issue may seem foreign and out of their control.   While the subject is depressing, uncomfortable, and foreign it is a living reality for millions of people around the world.  The sale of women is the third largest industry, making an estimated 32 billion dollars a year.  So why should anyone give up their Friday night to come to a Rethreaded film event? Because unlike you, these women don’t have another option for a Friday night event because they are living it.  

It is overwhelming.  

But there is hope.  

Rethreaded film nights give you a chance to invest in the freedom of women locally and globally simply by purchasing a ticket.  The great thing about Rethreaded is that their awareness events don’t leave you more educated without feeling more empowered as well.  Rethreaded hosts a series of film events about the sex trade as part of their 8.25 Invest in Freedom Campaign.  Each ticket purchase goes to directly fund the next training class of women who will work at Rethreaded.  Literally by just purchasing a ticket to their film event, people are doing something about the issue.   Each movie night raises awareness about the global sex trade while also featuring a company that is successfully fighting the trade with business. The horrors of the sex trade shown in the films are partnered with a glimmer of hope found in the redemptive stories of women all around the world.  The products produced by freed women are symbols of their new hope and can be purchased at these movie nights.  

This Friday, May 10, Rethreaded is showing the film Nefarious Merchant of Souls.  The movie shows the sex trade in four different continents and includes testimonials from survivors, traffickers, and humanitarian experts.  The film not only shows the dark reality of the issue but also features the rehabilitation efforts of people around the world who are helping rescue and restore survivors of the sex trade.  Just by purchasing a ticket, you can join in the freedom efforts as well!  At this event, guests will also learn about Rethreaded’s partner company Made By Survivors, a network of ten charities in over six different countries giving women freedom through business.    Buy your ticket  today for a donation of 8.25 and pattner your awareness with action.

Blessed to Be Involved

By Erin Heibsch 

Are you interested in volunteering with Rethreaded? A local wedding photographer, Erin Heibsch, wrote a blog about how blessed she is to be involved with Rethreaded. She helps with volunteer coordination and events as well as takes beautiful photos for the organization. Check out her thoughts about her volunteering experience with Rethreaded as well as her beautiful photos of Rethreaded's Mukti: Freedom Fundriaser 2013!

http://www.blog.byerinnicole.com/jacksonville-wedding-photographer-heart-stuff-rethreaded/

Born Into Brothels

This is the sad truth. Where you were born and to whom you were born has a huge impact on the kind of life you are capable of leading. This means that those born into brothels are born into a seemingly hopeless situation. In India, the children’s last names are their father’s first name. Children born into brothels often never know the identity of their father. They have only one name. Their mother’s trade leaves them destitute and stigmatized, outcasted by society. They are too poor to receive education and at a certain age, the brothel owner will sometimes force them into the same trade as their mother. Is there no hope for those born into brothels? At Rethreaded’s Invest in Freedom Film event, you will witness what hope looks like for these children. Kids with Cameras is a non-profit that has gone into countries around the world and trained marginalized children the skill of photography. The art of photography captures the children’s imaginations and empowers them with a useful trade, confidence, and hope. The academy award winning film, Born into Brothels, produced by Kids with Cameras, gave children in Calcutta’s red light district a chance to break the cycle of the sex trade in their families. The documentary gives a glimpse into how one woman gave hope to 8 children in the red light district by teaching them how to take photos. Through the sale of the children’s photos and other supporters, Kids with Cameras has continued to support the education of children in the film. Many completed their high school studies and have gone onto film schools and other universities. The cycle of the sex trade was broken for these children though the business of photography. Rethreaded and their Freedom business partners are also breaking the cycle through their innovative work around the world. When you attend Rethreaded’s event, you will not only have a chance to see the hope of children in the film but you will also have a chance to purchase products from other organizations offering hope. Love Calcutta Arts is working in the same area where Born into Brothels was filmed and is employing the daughters of the women in prostitution to make hand crafted products such as journals and cards. Rethreaded’s founder and director, Kristin Keen, will share powerful stories about Love Calcutta Arts from her firsthand experiences in India. Don’t miss this incredible night full of hope and restoration for children who rose against the seemingly insurmountable odds. Check out Kids with Cameras and Love Calcutta Arts to learn more.