Trash-2-Treasure

We have a new collection of products from Trash-2-Treasure. 

“This jewelry is handcrafted from discarded plastic bottles. When you purchase these treasures you keep plastic from littering the beautiful Haitian countryside or out of landfills. More importantly, you are helping transform the lives of Haitian women who live in extreme poverty by giving them jobs which pay them a fair wage.” 

The plastic bottles are heated, color is added, and then they are made into beads. Stop by Hands Around the Plain to purchase this jewelry that encourages economic and social development in Haiti. 

Have You Seen?

The front page of the February newsletter (coming out in 1-2 weeks) takes a special focus on Ember Arts. To give you some background, we started carrying Ember products several weeks ago. This selection of beaded jewelry is made by Ugandan women. These women are rebuilding their lives and making a livelihood for themselves while living in a country that was overtaken by civil war. By purchasing Ember products at HATP you are helping not only The Bridge in Orange City but also these Ugandan women.

New Focus

From here on out our blog is going to focus on the "background" story to some of our products. This week we will be highlighting products to come from Cambodia.

A outreach called Kingdom Creations is based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We are in the process of ordering some different types of bags and nativities from them. Kingdom employees women who are either extremely poor or at risk of being exploited (and a few men). By providing them with a job, they are able to learn skills and provide for their family. By purchasing their products at HATP, you are helping this 3rd world country ministry flourish.

We are excited to help their platform and will keep you posted as to when their products arrive at HATP.

2011 is here!

It's hard to imagine this is the second quarter that HATP has been open. Something we pride ourselves in the economic development associated with the shop. All of our international products come from ministries overseas that employ those in need. Products from Nepal, Uganda, Laos, etc are made by the locals. Purchasing HATP in turn provides an income for people in dire need.

Look for new products this year from other areas of the world.

Request a copy of our January newsletter!

New Beginnings

Now that we have the first week underway, we are certainly more confident than ever that this outreach will succeed. Of course it is a long-term project that requires continual attention and drive, but it is encouraging to see the support of the community. We can rest assured in realizing that we are "backed" by the community!

Day 1

Thanks everyone for coming today! Because of you, our vision for the store is happening. If you didn't stop by today, visit us sometime this week- we're open everyday but Sunday.

Here's a quick story. On Saturday we were doing random tasks around the shop and a couple ladies came in. They were from out of town and wanted to support the ministry before they headed back out. Without customers like them, this ministry opportunity at HATP would never come to fruition.

Opening This Monday

Finishing up the final details has proven to be quite time consuming but also rewarding. It's nice to conclude the work we have spent months working on. The products have arrived and are now on the shelves. Stop by Monday morning at our official opening. Amy, the accounting intern, has been diligent on coding and entering our inventory. Without her skill set, we would be at a disadvantage. Both Jodi and Sandi have had a great vision for the ambience of the shop.
Come do your holiday shopping at HATP! All our proceeds go back to the ministry of The Bridge.