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Rethreaded Is Ready For The Runway!

by | Jan 17, 2019

We are beyond excited to continue our Southwest partnership through a line of  brand new leather goods inspired by a winning design on Project Runway All Stars last night. In the “Unconventional Materials” episode of season 7; the designers had the challenge of creating a modern look suitable for traveling…but only using certain recycled materials. Out of recycled Southwest plane seat covers, an iconic accessory was born. Now we have our own branded design inspired by Irina Shabayeva’s winning design.

Our fearless founder, Kristin Keen said, “We are so proud to be collaborating with Southwest Airlines to create opportunities for survivors of human trafficking to reclaim their lives. This partnership has already allowed us to scale our operations and transform the lives of women in our community.”

In this PRAS episode, the contestants were given items that we see all the time in air travel. This included things such as: peanut packets, safety vests, seat belts and airplane seat leather. Irina’s winning look was a mini skirt set made entirely out of paper cups! Her iconic piece was accessorized with a leather bag made from Southwest airplane seat leather. Now, you can buy leather products inspired by these winning designs, right on our website!  Normally a collaboration like this would be impossible with these kinds of materials, but due to the history we have with Southwest, this opportunity was made possible! Now YOU can own items made for the runway.  Check them out here!

Rethreaded first collaborated with Southwest in 2017, as part of the airline’s ongoing Repurpose with Purpose initiative, an effort to upcycle discarded material into useful products with the help of partner organizations. This initiative helps generate not only social and economic opportunities but also empowerment for the community partners it serves. At Rethreaded, we provide survivors of human trafficking a second chance at life through long-term employment grouped with mental health services and mentoring. Our survivors transformed thousands of pounds of discarded leather into a line of unique jewelry and accessories. We were further blessed when Southwest continued to offered its support through a grant that allowed the organization to purchase new sewing machines.

“At Southwest, we have long been dedicated to global citizenship and Repurpose with Purpose allows us to lead in that effort while continuously minimizing our environmental footprint and maximizing our social impact,” said Linda Rutherford, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer. “We are thrilled to showcase our creative upcycling efforts through our partnership with Project Runway All Stars, and help empower women through our ongoing partnership with Rethreaded.”

Our in house team of artisans, salespeople and managers — many of whom have found freedom from human trafficking through Rethreaded’s services — will expand the line to include a limited edition collection of products inspired by the Project Runway unconventional materials episode. Rethreaded was lucky enough to have Shabayeva visit our headquarters here in Jacksonville! Her input and direction was a huge help and influence for our final product.

This new initiative was managed by Grasshopper, a global venture building firm. “The collaboration not only repurposes corporate waste otherwise destined for a landfill,” said Beata Gutman, founder of Grasshopper. “It also allows Rethreaded to expand their business and hire even more women in need of new skills and support systems.”

Our fearless leader started Rethreaded in 2012 to provide a safe and supportive environment for victims of trauma and exploitation. Through this, many survivors have found life changing career opportunities. Our women begin with a six-month development program that includes on-the-job training as well as mental health counseling, crisis management and case management. They are then fully integrated into the business through one of five departments and are essential in all aspects of the organization.

We are part of a network of charities, community organizations and changemakers within Southwest’s Repurpose with Purpose campaign. The program launched in 2013 in Kenya before expanding to the US and Mexico in 2017. This incredible campaign promotes upcycling waste materials into items with new life, and benefits underserved and marginalized populations in the process.

The mission of Rethreaded is to renew hope, reignite dreams and release potential for survivors of human trafficking locally and globally through business. This community provides a second chance at life through employment for survivors of human trafficking in our beautiful town of Jacksonville, Florida. Women have employment opportunities in different facets of the company including production, inventory, sales, marketing and finance/admin. Rethreaded also operates as a distribution company that sells products from like-minded businesses who also employ women who have found freedom from the sex trade.

In its 48th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) continues to set itself apart from other air carriers with amazing Customer Service delivered by more than 58,000 Employees to a Customer base topping 120 million passengers annually. Southwest became the nation’s largest domestic air carrier in 2003 and maintains that ranking based on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s most recent reporting of domestic originating passengers boarded. In peak travel seasons, Southwest operates more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 99 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries. Southwest has announced its intention to serve Hawaii, subject to requisite governmental approvals.

Grasshopper is a global venture-building firm investing in ideas that benefit humanity. In collaboration with its clients and partners, it creates joint ventures, businesses, nonprofit organizations and family foundations that wrestle with global systems failures and plan for long term, sustainable growth. Its portfolio spans public health and wellness, food systems, education, clean energy, urban planning & infrastructure, gender equality, conscious design and more. Grasshopper is present on five continents and engages with hundreds of partners ranging from Fortune 100 companies to local community activists.

January 17, 2019

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Springfield Saturday

Hello Springfield! Come on down for a day of shopping, toffee tasting, and touring our space. Enjoy a community brunch with neighbors, and get the first pick of our seasonal items… all while supporting survivors of human trafficking.

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Birthday Party

Come celebrate Rethreaded's birthday and support survivors. There will be fun, games, raffles, tasty treats, and much more! We celebrate each year with a fresh theme and plenty of surprises, so be sure to stop in and help us celebrate another incredible year!

Come celebrate Rethreaded's birthday! There will be fun, games, raffles, tasty treats, and much more! We celebrate each year with a fresh theme and plenty of surprises, so be sure to stop in and help us celebrate another incredible year!

Mom’s Night Out

Enjoy reconnection, rejuvenation, and the opportunity to make a difference. This event is designed to uplift and empower moms while supporting a great cause. 

Engage in refreshing activities, enjoy specialty treats, and revel in a community of women determined to support one another through thick and thin.

This is a special event meant to engage moms with refreshing activities, specialty treats, and connections with other moms in the area.

Cocktails For A Cause

Meet with other Realtors in your area while you enjoy cocktails, networking, exclusive toffee tasting, and a personalized shopping experience while contributing to the care and support of survivors of human trafficking.

Are you in the real estate industry and looking to expand your professional network? Our Cocktails for a Cause event connects relators, interior designers, contractors, and other real estate industry professionals here in Jacksonville. You'll not only get the opportunity to network but also here from industry experts.

Women Empowering Women

Connect, uplift, and support survivors of human trafficking. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and Rethreaded’s unique upcycled products. Take part in authentic breakout group discussions about how to value and intentionally use your time. 

Proceeds from ticket sales provide employment, holistic care, and services for women in Rethreaded’s Survivor Development Program.

Connect with other women at our Women Empowering Women events. You'll have the opportunity to take part in authentic breakout group discussions and network with like-minded women in our community.

Mukti Freedom Gala

Join us for our largest annual fundraiser. Enjoy a champagne welcome, hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, seated dinner, silent and live auctions, entertainment, and dancing. 

As always, proceeds from this event go directly toward supporting survivors of human trafficking.

Our Mukti Gala is our largest annual fundraiser that helps us provide the resources needed for the survivor's development program. We would love your support at our next Mukti- which means "freedom" in Bengali - and help change lives with us. Plus, if you have the opportunity to join us in the festivities you'll get to enjoy an open bar, seated dinner, silent and live auctions, entertainment, dancing and so much more!

Human Trafficking Educational Panel

Join us as we discuss human trafficking prevention, dispel myths, and learn how to empower survivors. Experts will share their insights, experience, and perspective. Ticket proceeds support survivor care, support, and education.

Want to learn more about human trafficking prevention, dispel myths, and how you can empower survivors? Join us at one of our Human Trafficking Educational Panels where experts share their insights, experiences, and perspectives.