Hope Center provides survivors with the chance at a fresh start. Our goal is to remove the obstacles that keep victims trapped in the exploitation cycle by providing a comprehensive program that imparts practical skills, facilitates job placement, and offers emotional support.
In 2024, the Israeli Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs is matching donations, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $200,000. That means your donation will have TWICE the impact in supporting crucial job training and placement for survivors of trafficking.
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Our 3-month professional education and training course gives survivors practical tools and training so that they can enter the Israeli workforce with confidence. Topics include:
With new skills in hand, we help survivors find job roles so that they can earn a living they are proud of. Once the placement is made, we offer ongoing employment support for both the employer and the employee to ensure success for everyone involved.
Mentorship is vital in the recovery process of survivors. That's why our program includes 2 years of continuous occupational and psychological support—from the beginning of the course, extending through job placement, and beyond.
KitePride is a fashion social enterprise dedicated to empowering communities vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation through safe, sustainable employment. By crafting upcycled bags and providing skill-building opportunities, KitePride generates both social and environmental impact.
In our programs, individuals gain valuable skills in sewing and design, leading to financial independence and self-sufficiency. Materials like kitesurfing kites, sails, parachutes, and wetsuits are repurposed to reduce waste and support environmental sustainability.
Since 2018, over 42,000 bags have been crafted, repurposing nearly 20,000 square meters of salvaged kites and sails into sustainable products.
Our production is based in South Africa, allowing us to scale our impact globally and address trafficking vulnerabilities in regions where economic hardship often leads to exploitation.
Did you know that poverty, unemployment, and lack of education are some of the biggest predictors of exploitation and trafficking? By focusing production in South Africa, we’re helping address these vulnerabilities directly.
High poverty rates in parts of Africa create dangerous opportunities for traffickers to lure vulnerable individuals. False job offers are a common tactic used to trap people into trafficking situations.
With South Africa’s unemployment rate exceeding 30%, economic strain is severe. Under these conditions, individuals face heightened risks of domestic violence, trafficking, and exploitation.
Trafficking gangs from Africa have established widespread networks across Europe, often using false job offers to lure women to Europe with the promises of work, only to be trafficked.
Through KitePride, we harness the power of safe employment to prevent exploitation before it begins, while also funding transformative programs in Israel that reintegrate survivors into the workforce through employment and mentorship. This collaboration not only provides sustainable jobs in South Africa, addressing the root causes of trafficking, but also generates critical funds to expand our impact and support more survivors in Israel.
"We at Yellow Wood are deeply committed to supporting sustainable and ethical brands, and Kitepride's mission and goals align perfectly with our values. We commend Kitepride for their work in empowering marginalized individuals with meaningful employment opportunities.
Secondly, the quality and uniqueness of Kitepride bags speak for themselves. Each bag is meticulously crafted from upcycled materials, making them not only environmentally friendly but also one-of-a-kind pieces that our customers love.
Kitepride embodies so much of what we stand for; sustainability, quality, and social responsibility. We’re honored to be a part of Kitepride’s journey and take great pride in showcasing them in our Milwaukee, WI, USA shop!"
Wholesaling Kitepride bags and custom branding collaborations are another way partners can support Hope Center.
