2023 Impact Report

ThefirsttimeIwalkedintoBraveWorks(formerlyFashion&Compassion),Iimmediatelysensedthatit wasaspecialplaceprovidingmeaningfultransformation.Seeingthewomenbehindthehandcrafted productsandhearingtheirpainfulstorieswhilewitnessinghopeintheireyes,helpedmetounderstand theenduringimpacthappeninginthisVictorian-erahome Withapassionforservingthemarginalized andabackgroundinjewelrydesign,IknewGodwascallingmehere.

Someofmydearestfriendstodayareindividualswhohaveovercomepovertyandpersecution Ihave witnessedtheirresilience,theirlove,andtheiryearningtoleadabetterlife BraveWorks’holisticmodel includespathstohealing,training,community,andeconomicmobility Wewalkalongsidewomenwho areovercomingvariousformsoftraumaandequipthemwithlifeskills,bringthemhope,andsupport themontheirjourneytosustainability

Thankstoyou,thewomenweserveemergefromourprogramconfident,courageous,andbrave And that’sourinvitationtoyou.Willyoujoinustowalkalongsideourartisansthroughthejourneyoflifeand witnesstheirtransformationfirst-handwithus?

Ihopeyouwillconsiderjoiningusasadonorand/orpartneraswecontinuethisimportantwork PleasevisitourshoporemailmedirectlytolearnmoreaboutBraveWorks!

Prayerfully,

BethBell ExecutiveDirector

OurVision

To be a catalyst for God-inspired transformation through artisan enterprise, leading to abundant & purposeful lives.

Problem

Women overcoming trauma and injustice need access to healing communities and robust opportunities

Solution Impact

Healing and empowerment through impactful connections, inspired creations & economic confidence

Empowered women live abundant and purposeful lives as confident contributors to society equipped with resources and a diverse community of support

To empower women & families overcoming trauma & injustice, bridging the gap from pain to purpose through impactful connections, inspired creations & economic confidence.

Transformational Journeys

Belonging Integrity

Collaboration

*Weservewithaninclusiveandfaithfulapproachanddonotdiscriminatebasedonrace,color, nationalorigin,age,religion,disability,orsexualorientation.

Artisan Transformation

Although many local organizations provide services for women at the beginning and end of their journey from pain to purpose, there is a gap in the continuum of care that prevents many women from transitioning successfully BraveWorks stands in the gap to teach valuable life skills with a holistic, relational approach towards successful and sustainable re-entry into society

100% of our artisans face at least one of these challenges:

PAIN

Economic insecurity

Emotional & mental health issues

Limited access to job training

Language barriers

Isolation Trauma

PROCESS PURPOSE

We pay our artisans fair market value for their products & time

We connect artisans with a licensed therapist, mentors, & mental health partners.

We help our artisans develop work readiness & financial skills

Our artisans, and ultimately their families, gain access to the economic ladder.

They experience a community that cultivates healthy relationships, healing, & trust.

Our artisans gain skills that are transferable across industry sectors

We have an English language development curriculum & added volunteer language coaches.

We make relational connections & help artisans expand their social capital.

We empower women to advocate for themselves & to manage trauma-related stress.

Artisans are equipped to communicate effectively in their community.

Our artisans emerge back into society with a supportive sisterhood.

Our artisans graduate equipped with emotional health tools to navigate future hurdles.

A Few Of Our Local Partners

Project 658

Changed Choices

Dahlia Grove

Mecklenburg County Domestic Violence Unit

Anchor of Hope Sober Living

International House Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency YWCA

A

Dove’s Nest Wing Haven

ARTISAN JOURNEY HEAL

We connect artisans with a licensed therapist, mentors, and a mental health partner to help them heal with a trauma-informed approach. Our artisans graduate empowered to advocate for themselves and manage trauma-related stress.

TRAIN

We further workforce development our communities by helping our artisans develop transferable soft skills, hard skills, and life skills to empower them and develop selfesteem post-trauma

CONNECT EARN

We make relational connections and help artisans expand their social capital Our artisans emerge back into society with a supportive community and connections to resources, cultivating healing, trust, and confidence

We pay our artisans fair market value up front for their products and time Our artisans, and ultimately their families, gain access to the economic ladder and expand their self-efficacy

YourImpact

In 2023, the number of local artisans served increased by 40%. The need is great and we continue to strive to remove barriers to entry such as childcare and transportation

723

ARTISANS SERVED IN 2023

105 ARTISANS SERVED LOCALLY

618

ARTISANS SERVED GLOBALLY

6 GRADUATES ON STAFF

54

$100,000+ LOCAL AND GLOBAL PARTNERS IN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT DIRECTLY TO ARTISANS

100% OF LOCAL ARTISANS HAVE MET OR ARE ON TRACK TO MEET THEIR GOALS

Local Artisan Demographics

Artisan Goals

Our 12-week core curriculum includes guidance and training in emotional/mental wellbeing, building healthy community, soft and hard skills training, financial literacy and budgeting, and English Language Development. In addition, artisans can set individual goals around employment, education, housing, and maintaining sobriety We are proud of our artisans’ success rate in each of these areas.

Employment Education Housing Sobriety

Percentagesreflectartisanswhohaveeithermetorareontracktomeettheirstatedgoal(s)

MEET VICKI

"Before BraveWorks, I was depressed, and it was hard for me to get out of bed in the morning...I spent most of my day in bed, with the curtains drawn, and I began having suicidal thoughts.” ~ Vicki

Vicki, one of our 2023 local graduates, came into the BraveWorks program in early 2023, seeking support for her emotional health challenges. As a child, Vicki wasn’t taught how to plan for her future or set goals, and dropped out of school in 7th grade Years of substance use impacted Vicki’s confidence and self-esteem, and she struggled with mental health issues even after 12 years of sobriety

At BraveWorks, Vicki learned transferable soft and life skills such as time management and conflict resolution. She learned various crafting techniques and job readiness skills that helped empower her and build confidence. She earned a fair wage that helped get her back on her feet, and by providing space and therapeutic exercises for her to unpack her trauma, she began to heal from past wounds

Vicki has found her voice again and is confident and brave, ready to face life’s ups and downs, with a solid support system in place. Vicki is working towards obtaining certification as a Peer Support Specialist, to use her lived experience to help others. “I want to take my gifts and help someone the same way BraveWorks has helped me ”

Vicki’s story is a wonderful example of the journey from pain to purpose that so many women find through your support of BraveWorks.

THE CHETTY REPORT

In 2015, Raj Chetty conducted a study in which Charlotte ranked last among the 50 largest US cities in economic mobility, or the ability to move out of poverty This report prompted a collective effort to improve conditions for those facing stark disparities in our community through the Leading On Opportunity task force. Thanks to their work, we are able to measure key drivers to making our city stronger.

BraveWorks has been working with Leading On Opportunity to measure our work and how we align with these 3 key determinant areas:

While BraveWorks contributes towards all 3 determinant factors for economic mobility, almost 50% of our work is focused on College & Career Readiness.

“Being ready for the workforce is more than just getting a degree college is not necessarily the right path for everyone. There is a need in the workforce for skilled professionals whose instruction may be better suited to apprenticeships or other training. Increasing access to these types of programs that are in demand by employers can connect people to gainful employment. Ensuring that people are able to pursue the type of education and training suited to their interests encourages upward mobility by promoting a healthy better economic alignment between industry and the individuals in our community ”

OUR GLOBAL PROJECTS

CECILE | KIGALI, RWANDA

Cecile, a widow shouldering the responsibility of supporting her child, faces the daunting burden of rent, school fees, and providing sustenance However, amidst these challenges, Cecile's remarkable talent for weaving creations from palm leaves shines. Engrossed in her craft, she weaves tirelessly during our interactions, embodying a passion for her work. Through her dedication, she not only sustains herself and her child, but also finds fulfillment Like many global artisans supported by BraveWorks, Cecile's involvement has ignited a newfound sense of self-worth and capability. With your support, she is transforming pain to purpose, and she inspires us daily!

ARTISAN PARTNERSHIP LOCATIONS

FINANCIAL IMPACT

A $2,500 donation can either support one woman locally through our program or empower 10 women in our global initiatives, facilitating transformation through healing, training, connection, and empowerment. Product sales contribute 32% to our total revenue, offering purposeful employment integral to our model. The remaining 68% from donors, partners, and supporters like you enables us to deliver comprehensive programming for sustainable, enduring impact. Thank you for joining us in this critical work

WE BELIEVE IN FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY.

EXPENSES

Board of Directors

MalobiAchike DEIDirective

BethBell ExecutiveDirector,ExOfficio

CathyBest AtriumHealth

AllisonBarry ParkerPoe

GabrielleCook ElevationChurch

ChuckCooper WhitewaterConsulting

DawnCordero CorderoHandcraftedLighting

KenDeHart NewSouthWealthManagement

EmilyHak Insperity

ColleenHart CornerstoneMedical

AmyJacobs CommonWealthCharlotte

MikiKamijyo AsanaPartners

JessicaLaBounty YETI

ScottMcMahon ParkNationalBank

LeticiaPadillaDeTruman AVEOPharmaceuticalsInc

RhettPostal FirstNationalBank

DanaPowell FirstHorizonBank

BrettRyan RonaldBlueTrust

MichelleTillman-Cureton MindPathHealth

WillamWard PettyGigsLLC

SherryWaters PaulineTea-BarApothecary/IenateLLC

TashaWilliamson NCWorks

Board of Advisors

Yetty Akinyelu

Kim Alexander

Kristen Guarnieri Battaglia

Eric Bernier

Brian Boyles

Greg Brown

Michelle Buelow

Laura Burt

Ashley Collie

Christabel Corazza

Erin Diehl

Michele Dudley

Lisa Farley

Blair Farris

Cathy Grammer

Millette Granville

Karen Green

Mindy Jones

Kalie Koivisto

Virginia LaFar

Henry Lander

Brenda Livingston

Monika Marshall

Amber Morris

Celestin Musekura

Ale Naranjo Myrick

Barbara Peacock

Elizabeth Poplin

Leilane Preuss

Frances Queen

Rick Ramirez

Denise Ratchford

Kate Rech

Ken Rogich

Linda Sittema

Laura Swisher

Denice von Gnechten

Court Young

In 2024, we are piloting a Phase 2 model to deepen workforce development to include point of sale, inventory fulfillment, and customer service training, while also reinforcing our commitment to emotional and mental well-being and language assistance We plan to fully launch Phase 2 in 2025, further bridging the gap in care and assisting women in a gentle re-entry into society.

Together, we can empower marginalized women to step into abundant and purposeful lives.