Starfish Project Celebrates Nine Years of Helping Exploited Women Out of Poverty

Goshen, Indiana, April 20, 2015 (Newswire.com) - This Easter holiday marks Starfish Project’s ninth year of rescuing women from sexually exploitive circumstances and giving them to the tools and opportunities to work.

Today Starfish Project is globally respected and has helped more than 100 women out of sexually exploitive situations by giving them alternative employment making original jewelry and helping to run the Project’s business operations.  The Project’s jewelry is sold in more than 60 boutiques and throughout a network of Advocates in North America. The Starfish women now receive work and holistic care services in three different cities in Asia.

After successfully developing a business model and holistic care program, Starfish Project is now expanding into other cities in order to help even more women.   To take the organization to the next level, Starfish Project is launching a global crowdfunding campaign on www.CrowdRise.com at noon EDT April 21, 2015 with the goal of raising $150,000. The funds will be used to accelerate production and expand its services and operational capabilities.

“The more money we raise, the more jewelry we can sell into larger chains. That lets us save more women, which is always our goal,” said Jenny McGee, founder and CEO or Starfish Project. “TheCrowdRise campaign is a first for us and we’re excited to see the response from our community and all those who care about giving sex-trafficked women a chance to break out of the cycle of abuse and start a new life.”

Starfish Project also runs an Advocate of Hope program that allows women to hold house parties and sell jewelry with her friends and earn 25% commission.

From Humble Beginnings to the United Nations

On March 10th of this year, Jenny was invited to speak in New York at the United Nation’s Commission of the Status of Women Implementing the Beijing Platform for Action. 

Founded by native Hoosier, Jenny McGee, Starfish Project began on Easter weekend in China in 2006.   A Mandarin speaker herself, Jenny and a small group of women went into a local massage parlor to speak to the young women working there.  They handed out pink flowers and colored Easter eggs which the girls coveted, many mentioning that these items were some of the only gifts they have ever received.

Jenny knew that day that she needed to provide real economic solutions to the problem.   Over the following calendar year, Jenny and her team regularly visited the women, conducted free English classes, and even took them to the doctor when they needed medical care.

“A year later when we invited the women to celebrate with us we shared that Easter was all about new life. We told the women that if they wanted to start a new life, we would provide housing and give them a job at our jewelry company,” explained Jenny to the audience in New York.  “We had five women who decided to start a new life at Starfish Project and our business and shelter was born. “

They Need Your Help – Get Involved

After successfully developing a business model and holistic care program, Starfish Project is now expanding into other cities in order to help even more women.  But to do that, we need help from the millions of compassionate and caring people across the world who wishes to give someone a new life. There are three ways to lend your support this Easter.

1.     STARFISH PROJECT CROWDRISE CAMPAIGN STARTS APRIL 21, 2015 at NOON EST and will run for 30 days.  Share this link with your friends, church groups, student groups and help us raise our goal https://www.crowdrise.com/starfishprojectinc

2.     Join the Advocates of Hope!

3.     Visit the Starfish Store online and see our Easter deals.

All profits of Starfish Project go to pay the women’s salaries and support the programs and infrastructure to provide the for the women’s holistic aftercare. Starfish Project is 501c3 status (US) and FAIR TRADE FEDERATED. Its US operations are based in Goshen, Indiana.

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About Starfish Project

Founded in 2006, Starfish Project a socially responsible jewelry business that provides women with alternative employment and a range of holistic care services such as counseling, vocational training, language acquisition, family education grants and health care access, as well as providing housing in our women’s shelter.  Now celebrating its ninth year in operation, the Project  employees over 60 women and reaches several hundred every month through their community service programs. For more information on please go to Starfish Project.

Press Inquiries please contact Faith.Brewitt@havefaithinyourbrand.com