Jacksonville nonprofit helps human-trafficking survivors build new lives in Thailand

The dream formed in Jacksonville native Olivia Kern’s head when she spent several months leading a missionary team in Asia.

In Thailand she worked with victims of human trafficking and extreme poverty. She wanted to empower them, give them a route to freedom.

In 2016 she asked a fellow mission worker to join her cause, used all $900 in her savings account to register a new nonprofit and put two plane tickets back to Thailand on her credit card.

“We had less than $300 between the two of us and had really big dreams,” Kern said.

A few days before they left, a family friend handed her two gold coins worth a total $3,000. The dream would become reality.

DREAMING FOR THEMSELVES

Kern’s Jacksonville-based nonprofit, called Ollies, now employs 14 people in Lamphun, Thailand, who were victims of human trafficking — most as slave labor — or extreme poverty. The crafters handmake shoes, backpacks, handbags and other items that are sold online and at events such as the recent Southern Women’s Show in Jacksonville. In return they receive job training and hourly salaries.

In 2018 Ollies will launch a two-year program featuring business mentorship and education that will ultimately lead to the crafters having businesses of their own.

“Our crafters have never been given the chance to dream for themselves or families. Our heart is to wake up their dreams and help them understand they have value and deserve to be free and live happy,” she said.

Ollies makes a difference in their lives, she said, but that’s not the point.

“Making a difference is never something I think about. I do it because they’re worth it. I do it because I understand struggles and know what its like to have someone believe in me,” said Kern, who herself has survived addiction, depression and hopelessness. “I do it because I love each and every one of them as family. In reality they make a daily difference in my life.”

Co-founder Courtney Sloane, an Alabama native who now lives in Jacksonville, agreed.

“Love flows through my veins and that means seeing the good in everyone. Each of us have a story that has shaped us into who we are,” she said. “I want to be that person that sparked hope and life in those who have never seen themselves as valuable or worth something.”

Kern and Sloane met their employees-to-be on prior trips to Thailand. They know each of their stories.

“Pimonwan was our first crafter who was a labor slave since a young child with a American shoe company in Bangkok and was sexually exploited as well,” Kern said. “She had no identity or freedom.”

Now Pimonwan is Ollies’ head crafter. She helps teach new employees and rescue victims from forced-labor at Thai factories.

Another crafter is Yon, who was a labor slave in Bangkok as a young teen.

“He said since being with Ollies he feels comfortable being himself around his fellow crafters and feels like he is paid a fair wage for his hard work,” Kern said. “Yon said every shoe that he makes, he makes as if he has made them for himself and from his heart.”

Ollies has been welcomed by Rethreaded, a Jacksonville nonprofit with a similar mission. Rethreaded employs local human-trafficking survivors to make scarves, handbags and jewelry, among other things, that are sold online and at its shop off West Beaver Street.

“We are inspired by Ollie’s using their business to change lives,” said founder Kristin Keen, “and we especially love that they are based in Jacksonville!”

SPREADING THE WORD

Meanwhile, customers are showing the love as well.

Karen McConeghy Prewitt, whose son Caleb has Down syndrome, became a fan when she found out that one of Ollies’ shoes was named Anna after a local girl with Down syndrome. Prewitt researched Ollies and liked what she found.

She and her son met Kern and Sloane in person at the Southern Women’s Show and bought some apparel.

“Theyaretwoinspiringwomen. Lovetheirmission,passionandheartforothers. They just are trying to do the right thing by everyone — giving those folks a helping hand,” she said. “They are the real deal.”

As Kern and Sloane sell shoes, backpacks and handbags, they hope they are also spreading the word — and correcting misconceptions — about human trafficking.

“Human trafficking is not just sexual exploitation: 14 percent of all trafficking is slave labor,” Kern said. “Human trafficking is everywhere, including Jacksonville.”

Everyone can play a part in ending it, she said.

“We can all be vigilant and do our part in bringing awareness, empowering survivors and making daily decisions to be kind every day,” Kern said. “We want you all to dream big and work every day to make the world a better place. Remember there is a person behind each product you purchase. Shop with businesses who value people for who they are and not what they can produce.”

Beth Reese Cravey: (904) 359-4109