Product: Jewelry
Cause: Anti-Human Trafficking
How They Give Back: 100% of profits are reinvested into programs helping survivors.
Price: $25-$75
Website: starfishproject.com
At first glance, Starfish Project sells pretty jewelry. Look behind the scenes though, and you’ll see that Starfish Project is a social enterprise helping women survivors of human trafficking in Asia. They use a holistic approach to helping survivors by providing emotional, physical, and economic support.
Jewelry Leads to Freedom
Each piece by Starfish Project is handmade by a survivor of human trafficking. They not only learn how to create jewelry, but also job skills such as accounting, photography, and graphic design. Because of this job training, participants are able to carve out sustainable career paths away from the sex industry.
Starfish Project reinvests 100% of their revenue into their own programs designed to guide survivors to independence. Being rescued is just the first step in recovery for trafficking survivors. They need support and assistance to help them transition out of their former lives. In addition, their jewelry line funds their job training programs, housing, and healthcare and counseling services.
Something for Everyone
Starfish Project’s jewelry line truly has something for everyone. With a price point up to $70, it’s affordable and perfect for everyday wear. Their designs range from simple and classic to fun and festive.
My package from Starfish Project included a handwritten note from one of their participants. It was a great reminder that actual people makes these products. And that some of these people have come out of horrific and traumatic circumstances. But there is hope. Where we spend our money can literally change someone’s life. What’s better than that?
Five Facts about Human Trafficking
I always want to understand more about the cause that is being supported. So, here is what I learned about human trafficking and modern day slavery:
- There are between 20 and 40 million modern day slaves today. The huge range is based on the difficulty assessing the actual numbers of victims since so much activity is unseen.
- Human trafficking happens everywhere.
- Human trafficking brings in an estimated $150 billion a year. $99 billion comes from sexual exploitation.
- Around 70% of modern day slaves are women or girls.
- Individuals from vulnerable populations have a higher probability of becoming a victim of trafficking. This includes the homeless, foster youth, and the impoverished.
What makes Starfish Project unique is how they use their social enterprise to fund the very programs that are helping survivors move forward in their lives. It’s an example of how we can apply retail as a force for change and transformation.
For more jewelry brands that give back, check out Shop Social Good’s Jewelry Directory!