Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

imagine goods

Do you know where your clothes come from?

Honestly, I haven’t given it much thought in the past, but when the news reports stories like this and this, then I have to wonder if the clothes I’m wearing are breaking someone else’s back.

It’s a complex problem without easy solutions, but that doesn’t mean we need to sit back and wring our hands.

Can I introduce you to a company that offers products that are good for the planet, for the people who make them and for you?

Imagine Goods is an organization I whole-heartedly support. And I think you should too. IG logo

Here’s why:

First, the clothes, bags, aprons, tablecloths and the like are GOR-geous. I don’t go gaga over new clothes or home furnishings too often, but these products are classy.

Second, the company offers a symbol on each of its products representing the worker who made the item. On their Website, you can learn a little bit about the person who made your dress or apron or tablecloth.

Third, the owners Michelle and Aiyana are dedicated, hard-working and hands-on. They’ll be taking their 13th trip to Cambodia this weekend to buy fabric at the local market and meet with the workers they employ. From start to finish, they know the ins and outs of their business.

Fourth, the work Imagine Goods offers gives marginalized people a fair wage which helps families, and a chance to learn a trade. On the Website, you’ll notice clothes labeled “second.” Those have been made by people who are learning to sew. Rather than throw out work that may not be perfect, Imagine Goods offers them at a reduced price.

Fifth, do you need more reasons? If so, then I dare you to visit Imagine Goods on the Web and not be inspired by the work they are doing. I’m planning to buy  my next dress for a wedding from there. And next year, when my daughter needs an  Easter dress, I’ll be heading to Imagine Goods.

It’s past time that we–shoppers, consumers, Americans–take responsibility for our part in the world’s problems. Imagine Goods makes it easy to feel good about the clothes you buy and to make a difference–a real, lasting difference–in the life of a real live person on the other side of the world.

Enough talking. Now go check out their Website!

5 on Friday: Ways to fight slavery

Thanks to my friends over at The Exodus Road, here are five ways you–yes, YOU–can fight slavery.

  1. Educate Yourself. Take some time to research the issue of modern day slavery. Check out the slavery map on FreetheSlaves.net. It’s a great resource. You may also want to visit CNN’s Freedom Project for resources and current news stories.
  2. Write your elected officials. International Justice Mission does a fantastic job lobbying governments to make changes that support freedom. Stop by their site and sign their latest petition. You can visit them by clicking HERE.
  3. Buy Fair Trade. Since the majority of slavery involves labor, make an effort (and spend the money) to purchase fair trade items as much as possible. This is a practical way you advocate for the oppressed as a consumer. Consider checking out places like TenThousandVillages.com or Yobel Market to shop for gifts, and take a few minutes to see what your Slavery Footprint is. (Lisa adds a shout-out to Imagine Goods, a Lancaster, Pa. based company who’ll be launching a Web site soon with fair-trade items for sale, benefitting at-risk women in Cambodia.)
  4. Socially Share. Commit that every time you see something about slavery or justice, you’ll take the time to share it with your online circle of influence. When you consistently share, you become an advocate for positive social change. “Like” anti-trafficking organizations on Facebook and follow them on Twitter–this will help abolition efforts to remain at the forefront of your attention, too. This is a simple, practical, and free way you can actively become an abolitionist. ER-camera-mirror
  5. Donate to Freedom Efforts. Find a specific organization that fights trafficking and do research on their efforts, their financials, their methods. When you feel good about their work, start by choosing a specific project that connects with you, like financially supporting prevention efforts in the United States with Love146 or helping a national undercover investigator with The Exodus Road buy a covert camera.