FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DESIGNED FOR JOY EXPANDS ITS MISSION WITH LARGER LOCATION
IN DOWNTOWN RALEIGH
Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin to cut the ribbon on new facility
RALEIGH, N.C., August 20, 2021 – Designed For Joy (DFJ), a transitional work experience for women coming from vulnerable situations by providing them a living wage, is celebrating its new location with a ribbon cutting and open house on August 20 at 9am at 517 W. Cabarrus Street, Suite A. Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin will officially cut the ribbon to celebrate DFJ’s 4th anniversary and move back to Downtown Raleigh.
The success of the retail shop at Gateway Plaza, online orders and generation donations has enabled DFS to increase wages to $15 an hour to train and hire women coming from situations such as human trafficking, homelessness and addiction. The larger space will allow DFJ to increase its production and mission needs, and conveniently position DFS close to two partnering organizations helping women in need: The Helen Wright Center for Women and the Women’s Center, who served more than 700 women in 2020.
“With North Carolina ranked #11 in the country for reports of human trafficking, the need to help woman move on from difficult situations is significant. DFJ hires women that are often turned away because of their past experiences. We are grateful to offer these women a second chance, while contributing to downtown Raleigh’s revitalization efforts,” said Cary Heise, DFJ Executive Director. “Moving back to Downtown Raleigh allows us to serve more women, who will be able to more easily access DFJ because of public transportation.”
To date, DFJ has hired 52 women who work as artisans to create handbags, jewelry and other items sold at porch parties, the DFJ store and ten local boutiques in the Triangle.
The Gateway Center Boutique will remain open through December Wednesday – Saturday from 10am-2pm with its new downtown location open Monday- Friday from 10am-2pm. For more information, please visit designedforjoy.com.
Contribute to our new building campaign by donating here.
Photos by Creaswoman on the go
