Goodbye/Hello

Hand-dyed fabrics were introduced in 2015.  Bringing new training and jobs to women

As we say good bye to 2015 we look back at all we have accomplished, endured and conquered with great joy and pride. We close this year with a deep understanding that none of it would have been possible without extreme amounts of divine grace and mercy and the continued crazy support of YOU… our team HOPE.  

2015 has been a year of doors wide open to new opportunity that stretched and challenged us and brought reality to dreams and vision that have been in our hearts for many years.  At the same time, 2015 expanded our vision in ways that brought new excitement and passion to what is possible.  In the process of change, God has been faithful to provide ALL we need to accomplish the work entrusted to us.  We have welcomed new board members and new partners in hope who contribute so much to our team and make us stronger.  One thing we know, we do not walk alone and for this we are beyond grateful.  

A jewelry artisan working on an 85,000 piece jewelry order for our partner in hope Tribe Alive (now LAUDE the Label) for the Fab Fit Fun subscription box. Summer 2015

What you have heard so much about this year revolves around our production house where we have increased our ability to hire the women we train and provide them with meaningful and life changing work.  The ME production house is home to production for our partners in hope and our in-house label for Mi Esperanza (speaking of… 2015 holds all sales records for Mi Esperanza both on-line and on-site!.)  This area of Mi Esperanza exploded in 2015!  We produced roughly 95,000 pieces of jewelry and 10,000 pieces of textiles.  All of this production gave 80+ women work and gave these women the opportunity to provide for their families in ways they once only dreamed about…or maybe could have never dreamt of. And while these sweet women are reason enough and about 80% of why we engage in this work, this work also generates income for our programs of education and micro-finance.  In 2015 we had our largest number of graduates…educating 150 women in the areas of sewing, fabric dyeing and stamping, jewelry marking, computer science and cosmetology.  Equipping women to stop the cycle of generational poverty in their families is what Mi Esperanza has always been about and we are doing it better than ever before. These programs require a significant yearly budget and, with the expansion of our production house and sales from our on-site and on-line store, funding is coming from within..and we think that is pretty great!  

in 2015 we also launched the HOPE SUPPLY subscription box, a collaborative effort with our production partners. You, team HOPE,  BLEW. US. AWAY with how you embraced our new concept and supported it through your purchases in ways we prayed for and dreamt about…you did it…we SOLD OUT!   This effort is an extension of our production house and another way we will generate the funding we need to continue the life changing work we do EVERY day It will also continue to bring sustainable work to our women…are you seeing this crazy, amazing and cool circle of HOPE that is happening here??  (You can read our blog post “Behind the Box” and learn about HOPE SUPPLY)

Sewing class @ our city center location.  Fall 2015

As we look ahead into 2016 we are confident that good, amazing and BIG things lay ahead and we are excited for you to walk this journey with us.  We are honored by your support and your deep commitment to our vision..lets grab hands and walk into 2016 together..are you ready? We are!! 

Peace, Lori