We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deanne Weissman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deanne below.

Deanne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Growing Strong, Confident, Capable, Secure Women.

This is the core foundation of International Sanctuary’s promise to women escaping human trafficking. For sixteen years, International Sanctuary’s doors have been open to ensure women escaping from human trafficking have had a safe, loving community where they belong. It has been a place where they can heal from the horrors they’ve experienced, learn to trust other human beings, and grow into strong, confident, capable and secure women.

“My first day there felt surreal. There was laughter. So much laughter. Other women with stories similar to mine sat together making jewelry. Initially, I was worried that I would never be able to create such beautiful products, but my supervisor asked one of the women who had been around the longest to teach me. We started with a simple design, and by the end of the week I too was laughing at the table as I worked.”
-Young woman in our Uganda Sanctuary

Healing from trauma does not occur overnight. The road to recovery is long, but the commitment International Sanctuary makes to each and every girl is for life. International Sanctuary stands with each girl as she learns to navigate the decisions and challenges that come with new found freedom.
Charitable gifts and the purchasing of handmade PURPOSE Jewelry have led International Sanctuary to grow and serve in four different regions – the United States, Uganda, India, and the Philippines. Each Sanctuary offers employment for women escaping human trafficking through the organization’s social enterprise, PURPOSE Jewelry. But our Sanctuaries offer more than the empowering acts of earning an income and obtaining job training; they give women a community to belong to, where they are able to heal, grow and experience unconditional love.

The challenge of healing survivors of human trafficking is addressed through four core components: income, education, health, and community. In the Sanctuaries, girls are invited into a workplace to gain job skills, training, and earn a dignified paycheck. To make up for the years of lost schooling, they are provided access to education through International Sanctuary’s Academy, individual one-on-one tutoring, and scholarships to pursue higher education. Because victims of trauma suffer from both physical and emotional ailments, International Sanctuary ensures they receive access to quality health care and mental health counseling. All these components are integral pieces of the Sanctuary and help it flourish as a community where each girl belongs and is accepted while she embarks on her journey to become a stronger, wiser woman.

“I have reached a place where my life choices have become better, and I have grown to now manage a team. When I started working here I never interacted with people, but that’s all in the past. Now I have lots of friends. International Sanctuary has always helped me financially and for my health and education. I’m so confident now. I was even able to buy my own house!”
-Young woman in our Mumbai Sanctuary

International Sanctuary’s mission statement, “Together, to help her succeed, whatever it takes” is our commitment to each and every woman that comes through our doors. By purchasing PURPOSE Jewelry or donating to International Sanctuary, you are partnering with us in creating an environment to grow strong, confident, capable,and secure women.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

We like to say – “Every piece has a purpose” as each piece of PURPOSE jewelry is handmade with love by a survivor of human trafficking. Each piece comes hand-signed and is made with care.

By purchasing PURPOSE jewelry, you are coming alongside her on her journey to freedom.

To learn more about International Sanctuary:
[email protected]
www.internationalsanctuary.com
To learn more about PURPOSE Jewelry
[email protected]
www.purposejewelry.org

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

During Covid, like many we had to shut down all operations here in the U.S. This was a very difficult decision that we had to make.

But we quickly reached out to our donors and they stepped up, enabling us to continue to support the women in our Sanctuaries, both financially and over zoom. They were given laptops and we focused on education. Production came to a halt.

We are now in the re-building phase of our brand and, although it has its challenges, we are persevering. Having a mission to support these resilient and amazing women is the fuel that drives us to continue to support them.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

We have had to pivot our business from a non-profit that centered on its social enterprise PURPOSE Jewelry for the majority of the funding, to a non-profit that is both product and donor based.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.purposejewelry.org
• Instagram: @purposejewelry
• Facebook: Purpose Jewelry and International Sanctuary
• Linkedin: Internaional Sanctuary

Image Credits

Rod Foster

Katie Morrow