Empowering Survivors to Sew a New Story: Riverside Homes Custom Joins Rethreaded in Their Mission to End Human Trafficking
While National Human Trafficking Prevention Month may have concluded, the work to build a brighter future for survivors of human trafficking must continue. Rethreaded, a Jacksonville-based nonprofit founded in 2012 by Kristin Keen, has answered that call. With a mission to renew hope, reignite dreams, and release potential for survivors of human trafficking locally and globally through business, Rethreaded is empowering women to reclaim their lives one handcrafted gift at a time.
Gifts That Change Lives
As a company with a strong commitment to serving others, Riverside Homes Custom is proud to support Rethreaded and the transformative work they do for our community. In fact, 85% of women who come to Rethreaded, never returned to trafficking. As one of the organization’s first corporate gift customers, a customized ‘Gifts of Hope’ box is presented to new homeowners at every closing. The team at Rethreaded collaborates closely with our company to tailor the boxes to incorporate a variety of merchandise. The fact that every item is handcrafted with love by survivors of human trafficking leaves a lasting impression on all our recipients. Matt Birdwell, Riverside Homes Custom President, shares, “Rethreaded allows us to leverage our corporate gift giving for good while extending an unforgettable gift with a purpose.” At Rethreaded, women are provided a safe, supportive work environment where they can earn money while learning a skill and experiencing continued healing through community.
In addition, Riverside Homes Custom team members are deeply involved with Rethreaded through volunteering their time. Recently, the entire team attended a “Volunteer Thursday” where attendees participated in the tedious job of deconstructing leather airlines seats from Southwest Airlines that will be transformed into items including journals, jewelry, coasters and keychains. In addition to these and other handmade products made right here in Jacksonville, FL, Rethreaded also partners with similar organizations in other locations to provide survivor-made items, which currently helps thousands of women worldwide.
When someone shops at Rethreaded, they are positively affecting the lives of survivors of human trafficking, as every purchase and donation directly helps them with employment, counseling, career development, and putting the pieces of their lives back together.
And our involvement doesn’t stop there. Every year, Riverside Homes Custom provides a generous matching donation at Rethreaded’s birthday party.
Keen expresses, “Riverside Homes is the trifecta. They are our people. They donate generously every year at our birthday party with an amazing matching gift, they give our closing gifts, and their employees are deeply involved through volunteer work. Many are even on our Band of Brothers and Circle of Sisters giving circles. They are all in. It’s awesome.”
Recently, Keen joined Riverside Homes Custom President, Matt Birdwell, and his co-hosts on The Punch List Podcast at their beautiful new facility, The Delores Barr Weaver Campus of Hope, to share the inspiring story behind Rethreaded’s inception. We encourage you to listen to this episode here. With the new space and resulting expansion, Rethreaded hopes to hire a total of 500 survivors by 2031!
Riverside Homes Custom looks forward to a long-lasting partnership supporting Rethreaded as they harness the power of business to create choice and a second chance at life for survivors of human trafficking. If you are interested in finding ways to support Rethreaded’s mission, or if you want to view their high-quality products, stop by their storefront at 515 9th Street East, Jacksonville, FL, or visit the Rethreaded website.