Rethreaded to expand: 'biggest moment' in its history of supporting human-trafficking survivors

Rethreaded, which provides jobs for human-trafficking survivors, is taking the monumental step that founder Kristin Keen has envisioned since its inception nine years ago.

The Jacksonville nonprofit plans to buy a $1.1 million industrial complex near Springfield that will allow the hiring of four times as many survivors, expansion of its production of upcycled clothing, leather products, jewelry and other items and eventually a sewing school and logistics training.

"This is the biggest moment in Rethreaded's history," said Keen, her excitement jumping off the screen in a Google Meet interview. "It is awesome. … Space has been the only thing stopping us."

The purchase, which is expected to close Jan. 29, and adapting the building to Rethreaded's needs will cost a total of $2 million. About $1.7 million has already been raised, due in part to a $600,000 matching grant from Jacksonville philanthropist Delores Barr Weaver.

Keen, who is also executive director, said she can't wait to meet the women the expanded site will allow her to hire, as well as watch their healing and growth.

"The building will house what they need. They can walk in and get everything they need to start a new life," she said. "If they wouldn't be able to come to Rethreaded, they would still be lost in the system. We would have missed out."

A current staffer, who asked not to be named for privacy reasons, said, "Rethreaded has shown me what audacious faith looks and feels like. Their program has proven to me that healing is possible.

"Although that healing can be difficult, I don’t have to do it alone because Rethreaded has also wrapped me in community, love and support," she continued. "Rethreaded has my heart and it is an honor to serve with them as they have served me."

Rethreaded currently operates out of a 2,800-square-foot building in Barnett Street, between Kings Road and West Beaver Street west of downtown. The new quarters at 515 E. Ninth St. has 36,000 square feet on 2 acres: The nonprofit will use 20,000 square feet and rent out the rest, providing a new revenue source.

The location is "ideal," on the borders of Springfield and the Eastside, where multiple renewal projects are underway, Keen said.

"We have been looking for a building for four years," Keen said. When she walked into the Ninth Street property, she said she knew in an instant "this is the building." She is hoping to relocate in May.

Weaver, who arrived in Jacksonville in 1993 when she and her husband became the Jaguars' first owners, said she has been a Rethreaded supporter and a Keen "admirer" since 2014.

"I’ve seen this small organization become an outspoken champion and advocate for women affected by the sex trade," she said. "With this new building, Kristin and her team will be able to magnify their efforts and assist many more courageous women who are making positive changes in their lives. Thank you to all those who answered my challenge and made donations in support of this life-saving work."

Other donors include the Chartrand family, Martin and Misty Eltrich, Vystar, Adecco Foundation and Higher Pixels, a Jacksonville web application company. Rethreaded also received a $250,000 state appropriation in 2019 that is being applied to the purchase price.

Founded in 2012, Rethreaded was inspired by the five years Keen lived in India. She and a friend formed a similar business there, helping women in the sex trade by giving them jobs creating handmade blankets and other products.

At Rethreaded, women have employment opportunities in production, inventory, sales, marketing and finance and administration. It also operates as a distribution company that sells products from like-minded businesses who also employ trafficking survivors.

The nonprofit has hired 40 women since its inception and provided them with 60,000 hours of work, according to the Rethreaded website. About 85 percent of them never returned to the sex trade.

During the pandemic, face masks were added to the product line and in August, Rethreaded hired seven new women, the largest hiring cycle in the company's history.

Beth Reese Cravey: bcravey@jacksonville.com

RETHREADED

To donate, make a purchase or get more information, call (904) 438-8109 or go to rethreaded.com.

RETHREADED

To donate, make a purchase or get more information, call (904) 438-8109 or go to rethreaded.com.