B E C O M I N G BRAVE
CAS E FOR S UP P ORT
B R AVE RY WE BELIEVE
in the power of women to change the world, regardless of their circumstances.
WE ENVISION
God-inspired transformation through artisan enterprise, leading to abundant and purposeful lives.
WE EMPOWER women and families overcoming trauma and injustice, bridging the gap from pain to purpose through impactful connections, inspired creations, and economic confidence.
Although there are many local organizations that 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.
PAIN
BraveWorks
PURPOSE
BraveWorks stands in the gap to teach valuable life skills with a holistic, relational approach towards successful and sustainable re-entry into society. 02
T H E BAR R IER: P OV E RTY + I NEQUI TY
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Locally
Research shows that women overcoming trauma have significantly lower levels of self-esteem as well as a lower ability to problem-solve, which impacts their ability to re-enter society.
Migrant women are vulnerable to physical, mental, and sexual violence and exploitation before, during, and after migration (United Nations 2020 and SAMSHA, 2023).
Women overcoming trauma are up to seven times more likely to end up on employment disability (Rudd, 2023).
y err Sh
MEET SHERRY
She was born in Charlotte, NC to a mother facing addiction. Sherry’s innocence was stripped from her in childhood through multiple sexual assaults. Her perpetrator moved on and left her in a spiral of shame and addiction. She entered Dove’s Nest addiction program and was referred to BraveWorks. Learning both tangible and intangible skills grew her confidence. She says, “I learned that it’s not about the jewelry, that the jewelry is a vehicle for change.” Through counseling, Sherry bravely encountered her past and planned for her future. The compensation for Sherry’s creativity allowed her to pay for a GED test, transportation to interviews, and kept food on the table for her family. She is capable and worthy of a bright future.
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T H E BAR R IER: P OV E RTY + I NEQUI TY
Globally
BraveWorks has partnerships in eight developing countries to empower women overcoming poverty and inequity. Our global artisans are provided a fair wage along with training and micro-enterprise opportunities as they craft sustainable and ethically-made goods. The goods made by all of our artisans are sold locally with 100% of the proceeds going directly back into our programming.
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Over 380 million women and girls live in extreme poverty globally, that equates to 8% of the world’s female population living on less than $2.15 per day (UN Women, 2022).
Empowering women and girls can end hunger for good and transform whole communities (World Food Program USA).
Empowering women in the economy and closing gender gaps in the world of work are key to achieving the 2023 Sustainable Development Goals (UN Women).
The global economy would grow by an astonishing $28 trillion by 2025 if women participated equally in the labor force today (Vital Voices, 2023).
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Did you know?
Women overcoming trauma, whether it be domestic violence, substance abuse disorder, trafficking, homelessness, incarceration, or trauma that accompanies seeking asylum from a foreign country, all face barriers to successfully assimilating into society. Research shows that fostering connection while teaching essential life skills is the key to effective programming for women overcoming trauma.
Impactful Connections
M
d i e S eron
Inspired Creations
Economic Confidence
MEET MERON SEID
She is our partner in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and she fosters bravery by encouraging and employing impoverished women to give them a chance to learn a new skill and provide a living wage to support their families. Meron supports her artisans additionally through in-house trainings on issues relevant to women and encourages all of our artisans to reach their dreams. She brings a keen sense of design, quality, workmanship, and passion for empowering the marginalized in her community. Her vision is to create high-quality leather products ethically and efficiently, implementing sustainable fashion into her business model. We’re so grateful for Meron’s partnership in our global mission!
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T H E A N SWER: EQ U IP + E M POW ER Walking alongside those who are marginalized and equipping them with life skills can bring hope and change to their lives and the lives of the generations to come. Through BraveWorks, we seek to nurture potential, build confidence, and support women on their journey to sustainability. BraveWorks’ holistic model includes paths to healing, training, community, and economic mobility. We believe that every individual possesses untapped potential and inherent creativity waiting to be unleashed.
HOW THE MIRACLES HAPPEN HEAL
We connect artisans with a licensed therapist, mentors, and mental health partner to help them heal with a traumainformed approach. Our artisans graduate empowered to advocate for themselves and manage trauma-related stress.
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TRAIN
We further workforce development in our communities by helping our artisans develop transferable soft skills, hard skills, and life skills to empower them and develop self-esteem post-trauma.
I am empowered to be a living example of overcoming trials and showing my family how God can work through my mistakes to make miracles. – Graduate
Transforming pain to purpose. CONNECT
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.
EARN
We pay our artisans fair market value upfront for their products and time. Our artisans, and ultimately their families, gain access to the economic ladder and expand their self-efficacy.
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J O IN THE B RAVE M OV E ME N T Real generosity takes true bravery. Will you match the commitment of our artisans and invest in true, generational transformation? EARNED/SALES DONATIONS
Give Today! 30%
REVENUE SOURCES 70%
My hands are capable and my future is bright. I am coming to courage and I am finding the light. There is joy to grow and there is joy to give. I am building anew and beginning again. Transformed beyond the surface I will heal from pain to purpose. Stitch by stitch, bead by bead, day by day—I am becoming brave. – The Brave Artisan, a compilation of our artisans’ own words
(866) 278-6894 | 1717 Cleveland Ave, Charlotte NC 28203 | braveworks.org
© 2023 BraveWorks. All Rights Reserved. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, EIN 32-0423402. All contributions are tax deductible. No goods or services will be provided in exchange for financial contributions.