2022 Impact Report

10 years

HenryWardBeecheroncesaid,“Weshouldnotjudgepeoplebytheirpeakofexcellence;butbythe distancetheyhavetraveledfromthepointwheretheystarted.”

Wecontinuetobehumbledbythejourneysofthewomenweserve,ourartisans Theirstoriesinclude sexualabuse,domesticviolence,addiction,generationalpoverty,orgrowingupinahomelandwhere theywerepersecuted,leavingthemnootherchoicethantofleethehometheylove. Thispastyear,our artisansfacedbarriersandtraumafargreaterthaninyearspast. Thankstoyou,wecanwelcome thesewomenintoourprogram,andjourneywiththemastheytransformfrompaintopurpose

Thankstoyou,weareinaweofthe“distancetheyhavetraveledfromthepointwheretheystarted”

Astheseamazingwomengainskillstobecomeartisans,theyalsoemergeasself-advocates,trained workers,capablecontributorstosociety,andsomuchmore Theirjourneyfrompaintopurposeleads themtobeconfidentandbrave,equippedtoliveabundantandpurposefullives

2022broughtacontinuedevolutionofthisministry,aswerebrandedfromFashion&Compassionto BraveWorkstohaveournamebetterreflectourwomen,ourWHY Wealsocompletedour10-yearplan withstrategiestoexpandourprogramminglocallyandglobally

Thankstoyou,in2022wewereabletoextendservicestodeepenthetransformationforourlocal artisans,andhaveservedmorewomengloballythananyotheryearinour10-yearhistory.

GodusedYOUtopavetheroadfortheirjourneytowardshope Weinviteyoutoreflectoveryour impactinthecomingpagesandtocontinuewithusonthisjourneyasacatalystforGod-inspired transformation.

Weremainforevergrateful,

BethBell ExecutiveDirector

OURJOURNEY

Fashion & Compassion to BraveWorks

CELEBRATING

10years(2012-2022)

Fashion&Compassion waslaunchedoutof ForestHillChurch& SeedsOfHope US programmingislaunchedtoserve survivorsoftraffickingandothertraumas

2013 2012 2014

Partnershipsin Cuauchichinola, MexicoandEntoto Bethartisansin Ethiopialaunched Boutique& workshopin Dilworthopens

2016

F&CselectedforSEED20 Cattlehornpartnership launchedinUganda Refugee&immigrant programmingatProject 658begins

2017

3rdjewelryprojectlaunchesinpartnership withTheHarvestCenter&ForestHillChurch AwardedtheMecklenburgABCGrantfor thefirsttime

2020

BoardhiresBethBellasnew ExecutiveDirector. MicheleDudley joinsBoardofDirectors(2019) Launchedourfirstskirtcollectionin partnershipwiththeBududa LearningCenterinBududa,Uganda Launchedupdatedwebsite FirstcollaborationwithPeachy the Magazinetobringourartisans’goods toabroadergroup

RebrandedtoBraveWorks

Marks10yearsserving womenandfamilies locallyandgloballywhoarefacingtraumaand injustice

VisitedourartisansinUganda,Rwanda,and Ethiopia,markingover10yearssupporting womeninthesecountries

Expansionofourlocalprogrammingstaffto deepenthetransformationexperiencedbyour artisans

UpdatedStrategicPlandeveloped

2ndjewelryprojectlaunchesat ForestHill

ARTISAN TRANSFORMATION

In 2022, we witnessed dire effects on the women we serve as we emerged out of the pandemic Locally, our artisans faced barriers to entry such as no access to childcare and the need for evening programming. Women overcoming domestic violence, abuse, poverty, and addictions experienced increased PTSD and emotional health issues The influx of refugees from Afghanistan increased language barriers and access to resources We deepened and extended our local program in 2022 to help our artisans overcome the following barriers to success and succeeded in serving more women globally than ever before. We continue to walk with our artisans on the journey from pain to purpose, towards new beginnings and a brighter future

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

PROCESS

PURPOSE

Economic insecurity

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

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

Emotional and mental health issues

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

They experience a community that cultivates healthy relationships, healing, and trust

Limited access to job training

We help our artisans develop work readiness and financial skills.

Our artisans gain skills that are transferable across industry sectors.

Language barriers

We launched our English language development curriculum in 2022 and added volunteer language coaches

Artisans are equipped to communicate effectively in their community Isolation

We make relational connections and help artisans expand their social capital

Our artisans emerge back into society with a supportive sisterhood

We empower women to advocate for themselves and to manage traumarelated stress.

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

OUR IMPACT

Problem Solution Impact

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

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

OURVISION

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

OURMISSION

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

OUR VALUES

TRANSFORMATIONALJOURNEYS

We are passionate about serving with faith, courage, and humility to inspire positive change and God-inspired growth

BELONGING

We respond with empathy and acceptance to create a safe place where all people can feel valued and loved

INTEGRITY

We do what we say we are going to do, building trust through honesty, and holding ourselves accountable for our actions

COLLABORATION

We work together as a team in our local and global communities, supporting one another towards a common goal of empowered lives

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

ARTISAN JOURNEY

Our artisans come to us t rienced painful situations of trauma a e, addiction, incarc

We teach women how t art, a process th

We create impactful connections for our artisans, bringing them closer to people and resources to empower them to achieve their goals.

Our artisans are paid a fair wage upfront for their time and/or creations; we assume all risk for whether or not products sell all of which cultivates economic confidence

Our artisans emerge from our programs confident and brave with a hope that propels them towards their purpose.

Our goal is to serve better, and to serve more. In order to address the increase in trauma seen in 2022, we invited 40% of our local artisans to stay in our program for extended periods so they could fully transform from pain to purpose and re-enter society equipped with the tools they need to succeed This impacted the number of women we were able to serve locally, but allowed us to see greater success and sustainability for each individual. In 2023, we plan to expand our local programming through partnerships to offer evening programming with access to childcare Our strategic plan includes building a fully phased program for long-term success and specific goals to increase the number of women we serve locally 300% by 2032. Globally, we seek to deepen our impact through expanded curriculum, increased product sales, and economic opportunities.

6,300+ INSPIRED CREATIONS CRAFTED DIRECT SUPPORT TO ARTISANS

$96,000+

86% OF LOCAL ARTISANS HAVE MET OR ARE ON TRACK TO MEET THEIR GOALS

LOCAL ARTISAN DEMOGRAPHICS

MENTORING PROGRAM

"It is more than a joy for us to see these young women begin to heal, to see them lift their heads high, to put their shoulders back, to smile again with their eyes, not just their lips. A joy to see them reach their goals and graduate from the program."

Norma Dougherty

In 2022, we witnessed a significant increase in emotional health issues and PTSD, along with an influx of Afghan refugees with limited access to resources In addition to our licensed therapist on staff, we engaged volunteers as language coaches and mentors Our local mentors, shown here, commit their time each week to work with our artisans in small group time, providing support, encouragement, and guidance on their journey. These women make a tremendous impact on our artisans' longterm success!

“When I joined BraveWorks and met the directors, staff & mentors, I was impressed with what you all provide to empower women. Still everything is up to me and I had to put the work in, but BraveWorks helped me the whole way. BraveWorks helped me with my personal empowerment plan, guiding me in figuring out my goals and how to accomplish them. BraveWorks held my hand. You all told me I can do this! Somebody else believed in me. My goals and thoughts were not just words floating around. Having so many ladies believe in me and encourage me made such a difference."

Warrennette, local artisan program alumni

Carol Bates

Yvonne Abdullah

Dawn cordero

Norma Dougherty

JULIET

ARTISAN/ BUDUDA, UGANDA

Juliet is a student at the Bududa Learning Center in Bududa, Uganda. Our friends on the BLC staff teach skills to impoverished Ugandan youth to help empower them to support their families. 77% of Ugandans are under 25, and the unemployment rate for young people in Uganda is 83%. It’s even higher for students with a University degree, as the higher paying jobs are very scarce Vocational training is key to changing the trajectory for Ugandan youth. Juliet receives instruction from our friend, Stephen, who leads the sewing class and makes all of our Ugandan skirts and gift bags happen!

ARTISAN PARTNERSHIP LOCATIONS

Board of Directors

Beth Bell Executive Director Ex Officio

Cathy Best Atrium Health

Ashley Collie Thrivent Financial

Chuck Cooper Whitewater Consulting

Dawn Cordero Cordero Handcrafted Lighting

Erin Diehl PNC Bank

Kristen Guarnieri Compass Group

Emily Hak Insperity

Colleen Hart Cornerstone Medical

Amy Jacobs Common Wealth Charlotte

Jessica LaBounty YETI

Leticia Padilla De Truman AVEO Pharmaceuticals Inc

Scott McMahon Park National Bank

Rhett Postal First National Bank

Brett Ryan Ronald Blue Trust

Denice von Gnechten J Denice von Gnechten Law

Michelle Tillman-Cureton MindPath Health

Willam Ward Petty Gigs LLC

Sherry Waters Board Chair

Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary/lenate LLC

Tasha Williamson NC Works

Board of Advisors

Yetty Akinyelu

Kim Alexander

Eric Bernier

Brian Boyles

Greg Brown

Michelle Buelow

Laura Burt

Christabel Corazza

Michele Dudley

Lisa Farley

Blair Farris

Millette Granville

Karen Green

Mindy Jones

Kalie Koivisto

Virginia LaFar

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

Linda Sittema

Laura Swisher

Court Young

Cathy Grammer

FINANCIAL IMPACT

The more products we sell, the more women we serve, and the need for economic mobility for women overcoming trauma is greater than ever The economy continues to impact consumer behaviors, which limits our ability to increase our earned revenue (product sales). We are grateful for the support of individuals, faith partners, and institutional funders in our local community that have stepped up to support our mission as we continue to work towards scaling our earned revenue to better support our artisans Donations are critical as product sales make up only 41% of total revenue.

-29%

WE BELIEVE IN FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY.

Fiscal Year 2022 Form 990 | Fiscal Year 2022 Audited Financials

EXPENSES

Total Expenses: $759,068

REVENUE

Total Revenue: $643,385*

LOOKING AHEAD

Looking ahead to 2023 and beyond, we are equipped with a new 10-year strategy and big plans to serve more women and deepen our programming in trauma-informed care, skill development, workforce readiness, and economic mobility. With your support, we look forward to continuing the journey of transforming women overcoming trauma and injustice from pain to purpose.

Together, we can be Christ's hands and feet to those who are marginalized.

PURPOSEFUL Work ECONOMIC Confidence RENEWED Bravery

MAJOR DONORS

DONATE

BraveWorks 1717 Cleveland Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203 866-278-6894

www.braveworks.org

hello@braveworks.org

@braveworksorg