Gifts that Give Back

I purchased this artwork at a local charity auction to support the organization’s art program for homeless and street-engaged youth and young adults. I also happen to work for that charity and know the artist personally.A single mother “Abby” – the talented creator of this artwork – has had more than her share of trauma from growing up in a broken home, to struggling with addiction, to leaving an abusive relationship to learning to survive on the streets in ways that women fear the most. She has had to endure more in her short lifetime than anyone should.

Today, however, she is doing well and making healthier choices. She is still a part of the art program which continues to provide her with positive community support. It is a ‘strength-based’ program, meaning the focus is on a person’s strengths, abilities and talents, rather than on their deficits or weaknesses. In fact, Abby’s current role in the program is “youth mentor,” where she provides the kind of encouragement and support that she herself has received to her younger counterparts. She is more than a survivor, she is a woman exercising the gifts and strengths God has given her, strengths that make her an ‘over-comer.’

In purchasing Abby’s art at the auction, I knew that I was in a small way participating in her continual growth and development as the capable young woman she is. And although I did not purchase the piece simply out of ‘charity’ – I happen to love this piece! – it felt good to know that my money was going directly into the program and into the artist’s hands. It was a win-win all around.

Abby’s art got me thinking about all the wonderful work that other organizations are doing. These days, there are several that are giving people options to purchase material goods that do some good in the world. And now as Christmas approaches (oh how the time flies!), I thought I’d list just a few of my favourite places to shop for those gifts that give back. Here they are in no particular order:

Ten Thousand Villages

Selling everything from home décor to furniture, clothing, jewelry, and other personal and home goods, Ten Thousand Villages is one of the world’s largest non-profit, fair trade companies. You can purchase items online or in person in one of the over 100 stores it has across Canada and the US. I have personally shopped for items here – including their amazing fair trade coffee. I love seeing the diverse collection of unique and stunning pieces handcrafted by artisans from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. (Click here to go to the website)

Far and Wide Collective

FWC sells a diverse array of home décor, fashion accessories and apparel made by skilled artisans in post-conflict and other developing countries, helping craftspeople build their small businesses. The founder, Hedvig Alexander, spent several years as an aid worker in Afghanistan and saw first-hand how difficult it was for talented local artisans to connect with buyers globally. She decided to develop a marketplace to do just that. Starting first in Afghanistan, she has now expanded this business model to include 9 countries. (Click here to go to the website).

TOMS

Perhaps among the best known companies to give back, TOMS started with shoes, but now offers eyewear and bags, too. TOMS uses the sale of its products to assist individuals and communities in the developing world with such essentials as clean water, maternal health, and training. But it was TOMS ‘one for one’ model – namely with every purchase of shoes, a child in the developing world would receive a free pair of shoes – that first got the world’s attention. (Click here to go to the website).

World Vision

Although World Vision is known as a global leader in child sponsorship, did you know that it also sells a variety of gifts that give back from farm animals to clean water to handcrafted gifts made by artisans (like the trio of animal ornaments above), all of which goes into the hands of individuals and families in need from around the world. (Click here to go to the charity’s gift catalogue).

There are plenty of other for-profits, non-profits and other social enterprises that are doing some good locally and around the world. A quick search on google provides so many options these days. And many provide stories from the artisans themselves, which helps you understand the direct impact you are having in that person’s life.

I love that there are a growing number of options out there that allow us to purchase beautiful, authentic, and handmade items – like my artwork – that will have a positive impact in a person’s life and in the lives of local communities.

What about you? Have you given or received a gift that gives back? Do you have any you would recommend? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.