Jim and his wife were laid off, suddenly and on the same day. Despite their discouragement, they soon saw opportunity hidden in the difficulty. For years Jim’s wife had longed to help at-risk women in Peru, women from her country and close to her heart. Their severance money became a seed, the capital necessary to launch their long-held dream—a program empowering vulnerable Peruvian women, lifting them from poverty to lives of dignity and hope. Now they partner with several women’s cooperatives and female artisans, enabling them to earn a fair wage and protect and provide for their families. Our partners work closely with the artisans, helping them develop original designs and environmentally friendly products, all of which are hand-dyed, hand-woven, hand-embroidered—handmade. Just as our partners overcame difficulty to pursue their dreams, so these women are rising above poverty and danger to work with dignity, creating circles of hope and safety around their families.