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NationWares

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The Problem

NationWares is a non-profit and charitable social enterprise designed to create employment solutions that will end the cycle of poverty for marginalized and vulnerable people around the world. By designing and creating unique jewelry, fashion, accessories, and home decor to be sold in North America & the United Kingdom, our international partners gain hope and opportunity as they overcome poverty through the power of employment. NationWares artisans and designers receive access to local and international marketplaces, allowing them to earn income that provides food, clothing, shelter, education, and healthcare for their families. Each individual is paid a wage that is fair and even exceeds fair trade standards. This teaches people how to create savings accounts, and also leaves room for the person empowered to put some of their earnings into a "community pot" that supports development within their one community. A person can go from being marginalized to empowered, employed, and a leader in their community in under one year! They also contribute to their larger economy by employing others and donating to community projects (like building schools, medical clinics, and wells etc). Our programs equip people with exceptional needs, including physical or developmental disability, extreme poverty, and HIV/AIDS. With NationWares support they find education, financial and vocational training, and access to support networks that will enhance their business as they experience dignity and equality. All products are fair trade and made from local renewable resources making our impact social, economic, and environmental.

Plan of Action

NationWares has developed rapidly within the past 5 years. As we approach our 5th year of operation we have seen NationWares expand to support over 850 direct beneficiaries in over 10 countries. These artisans, designers, and talented individuals have families, community members, and friends who have all been impacted because of their employment making our indirect impact on international beneficiaries reach over 2,500 people who have changed lives, found employment, and can support themselves because they have found hope and opportunity through NationWares. Micro Enterprise and Fair Trade systems allow NationWares to be founded on the pillars of sustainability, making sure the NationWares impact is always social, economic, and environmental. I have always been passionate about empowering people with exceptional needs and I am a firm believer in full inclusion for people with physical and developmental disabilities. I've contributed endless hours in the past working with at-risk local youth and that taught me the great need for them to have positive life influence and employment. My goal is to create storefronts in my home province of Ontario, Canada where local at-risk youth, and individuals with exceptional needs can be employed selling NationWares. This way we are connecting and empowering marginalized and vulnerable people around the world all under one roof. I can only dream of the day where people can connect at the heart through products, stories, and sharing the desire to create a world that includes all people and lifts up those who have been marginalized. NationWares storefronts will be an awesome place to create a local impact, unify it with the global stories and products, and create a safe space for education, awareness, training, and engament of our local community in global development while serving as a local income source for the people employed by the storefront. The stores were originally within my 10 year plan, but with our success they are increasingly becoming a reality. We wouldn't exist without the continued support of people like you. Join us today and wear your heart on your sleeve.

For More Info

www.nationwares.com
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Global Poverty

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Source URL: http://www.dosomething.org/project/nationwares