Arkansas nonprofit organization Partners Against Human Trafficking, or PATH as it’s known, was founded in 2011 to help combat human trafficking in the state through community education, legislation advocacy, and support for survivors. The organization has recently launched a repurposing project that will help serve as another hands-on creative outlet while also supplementing the nonprofit’s income. The concept is for the organization to take donated items (including furniture, home accessories, and clothing) and upcycle and sell them. While the hope is to have a storefront in the future, for now, repurposed items will be sold through consignment shops or online marketplaces.
“The idea is that our survivors, who have found a new purpose, will be using their creativity and talents to repurpose items that will help sustain the work of PATH,” says development director Nick Starnes. This project joins other hands-on activities, like gardening and visual arts, that help PATH’s clients through the healing process.
“We’re creating an atmosphere where our survivors, who are mostly young women and children, can do therapeutic activities while also building social skills and a sense of community with one another,” says activities coordinator Megan DeBard. In addition to in-house therapy and case management, PATH offers training and resources to help clients prepare to live independently.
Want to support PATH’s mission? Head to pathsaves.org for information on how to support their annual gala, Light the PATH, which will take place virtually on November 12.
A version of this story originally appeared in the October 2020 edition of At Home in Arkansas. This post has been updated to reflect the organization’s rescheduled date for its virtual gala.
