A local non-profit香蕉视频直播檚 new project is helping Okanagan women in a new way.

HOPE Outreach launched its new initiative, Jewels of Hope, on Sept. 18. The program will give marginalized and exploited women, often living in the streets, have the opportunity to earn a little bit of money while learning some skills in crafting and retail that they can use in their resumes and help them find work.

Participants learn how to make bracelets, which are then sold through the project香蕉视频直播檚 website or through pop-up markets. This way, they get to learn how to handle online and physical sales.

Lorraine Richmond is HOPE Outreach香蕉视频直播檚 project lead and she said the goal of the initiative is to bring resources to women who otherwise won香蕉视频直播檛 get access to them.

香蕉视频直播淲e teach them something tangible, a horizontal skill. For now, we香蕉视频直播檝e started with bracelets because it香蕉视频直播檚 simple,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淏asically, we香蕉视频直播檙e teaching them skills for potential sustainable employment.香蕉视频直播�

Besides making learning accessible, Richmond said the goal of the project is to give dignity back to vulnerable women and for them to realize that they, and the work they do, matter.

香蕉视频直播淲omen are given a five-dollar honorarium香蕉视频直播� and we give them a gift card to a store so they can buy food and other necessities,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 about human dignity and because finances are often an issue, this way they can supply their own bare and basic needs. It香蕉视频直播檚 a safe place and will bring them belonging and help them build a community.香蕉视频直播�

Richmond said they香蕉视频直播檙e also partnering with other community organizations for retail education.

香蕉视频直播淪HARE Society, for example, has a retail training program. So for the women that make these bracelets, it香蕉视频直播檚 something they can put on their resume,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淪HARE can teach them WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) or Foodsafe. This way they can have put together their own table at the farmers香蕉视频直播� market or grow their own business. Some places, once the women gain the skills and confidence, want to hire them.香蕉视频直播�

She added that another important part of the program is the product itself: the bracelet, which features yellow, white, black, and red beads, with a silver pendant in the shape of the word HOPE. The colours are reminiscent of the traditional Indigenous medicine wheel.

Now with the initiative live, Richmond said they香蕉视频直播檙e looking for stores they can partner with and sell the bracelets, as well as volunteers who can help HOPE Outreach香蕉视频直播檚 clients in making the bracelets.

More information on Jewels of Hope is available through .

READ MORE: Harvest a mixed bag for Okanagan fruit growers this year

twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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