Meet the Makers: New Hope Girls
It started in a home in the Dominican Republic donated by a woman with six months of her savings. It has now grown into a sanctuary that houses, heals, and employs women survivors of exploitation.
New Hope Girls is a place where deep pain is met by true promise. They hold space for women who were once labeled as a statistic to heal, grow, and thrive. Stepping into the trenches, they become acquainted with their scars and every detail of their stories.
The Fall Shared Trade Collection
This fall, we welcome you into a season shaped by artisans from around the world. Our Shared Trade partners have crafted a collection of products inspired by Purpose, Power, and Peace — three guiding principles for so many of us as this new time of year approaches.
- Purpose is creating economic freedom for women artisans across the globe through craft.
- Power comes from the courage to create change through art.
- Peace is the quiet beauty of knowing these goods are made with dignity and care.
New Hope Girls at Thistle Farms
Education is the key to unlocking opportunity. New Hope Girls provide access to education, tutoring, and vocational training that equips girls with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Their goal is not only to ensure that each girl completes her education but also that she is prepared to pursue her dreams and contribute meaningfully to her community.
New Hope Girls provides not only education, mentorship, and life skills but also sustainable employment for women. Through partnerships with brands like Vera Bradley and Pura Vida, women handcraft bags and accessories, turning their work into a form of justice and hope.
This fall, New Hope Girls offers a collection of beautifully made, meaningful pieces:
I Am Joy: A journey of hope, grit, and grace
Joy Reyes, founder of New Hope Girls, shares her powerful and unflinchingly honest journey—from the challenges of overcoming adversity in the barrio to igniting change as a force of transformation in the Dominican Republic.
She has spent decades leading a movement that not only rescues young girls from exploitation but reshapes entire communities. Her brand new book is more than a memoir—it’s a call to action for anyone passionate about creating meaningful change.
With raw authenticity and inspiring insight, Joy takes readers on an unforgettable adventure of hope, grit, and grace. I Am Joy invites you to explore the depths of courage, faith, boldness, and determination, offering a powerful reminder that with these qualities, anyone can step up and make a lasting impact.
What is Shared Trade?
Shared Trade began as an expansion of the mission of Thistle Farms with the belief that justice and healing can happen when women producers are at the center of the global market. Our goal is to support artisan groups for their long-term sustainability and wellness, as we provide resources, connection, and community. Our network includes 44 partners in 25 countries that follow more-than-fair trade principles and commit to the dignity of women who create the products they sell.
Through Shared Trade, we offer more than sales support. We provide partners with learning opportunities, networking, and grants to help them grow. Our partners exchange ideas, share challenges, and support one another—building a strong global network of mission-aligned businesses.
Why It Matters
When you shop from our Shared Trade partners, you’re investing in women’s economic freedom. You're helping artisans build strong businesses, support their families, and contribute to their communities.
As Thistle Farms continues to grow its global partnerships, the message is clear: love knows no borders, and healing can begin anywhere. Through Shared Trade, Thistle Farms is lighting the way for survivors across the globe, creating spaces where women feel seen, heard, and supported. No matter where you are, love heals.
