Fashion can be a lot of fun. We can use clothing to express ourselves. But have you ever wondered how our fashion choices impact other people and the world? Fashion and the retail world can easily become superficial. People can become so fixated on fashion that they forget that it's all just clothes. Let's take a look at some great philanthropic companies that give back to help the community.
For many high school students in North America, the prom is one of the biggest events of their lives so far. Many young men and women dream about this special day. For many girls, the most exciting part of prom is finding the perfect prom dress.
But prom clothes can be pricey. Many people cannot afford to buy a new dress just for one event. Statistics show that 25% of Canadian children live below the poverty line. That's where The Cinderella Project comes in. The Cinderella Project's goal is to help build self-esteem and inclusiveness. The project wants to make sure the students feel valued and important.
This non-profit group based in Vancouver, Canada, aims to help 'Cinderellas' and 'Cinderfellas.' At The Cinderella Project, they are adamant that teenagers should remember what graduation and prom is really about. "It's not about the dress, it's about the dream!" is their slogan. This group takes donations and donated dresses and gives them to youths who need them.
The project is a way of helping youths reward themselves for working hard and achieving the goal of graduation. Many of the students in the programme live with mental or physical conditions. These youths have fought hard to get themselves through school. Many other students have worked part-time jobs since they were young to support their families. These students are often marginalized and vulnerable.
The Cinderella Project hosts special events. The youths are invited to pick up a dress or a suit. They also receive other free services to help them obtain the magical graduation they've always dreamed about.
The Cinderella Project does not stop there. They continue to assist students through different events and projects, such as Boutique Day. It is a day of recognition with achievement awards and mentorship events. The Cinderella Project wants to help break the cycle of poverty. They believe this could be done by encouraging students to finish their education. The project has helped over 3800 youths.
United By Blue creates products that generate less waste and trash. For example, they sell reusable utensil kits to reduce the use of disposable ones. It is important for them to create products that are lasting, so that they do not need to be replaced. United By Blue also makes sure that all its products are made with sustainably-sourced materials. United by Blue pledges to remove one pound of garbage from Earth's waters for every product that is sold. Since its inception, it has removed more than 3.5 million pounds of trash.
Manitobah Mukluks is an Indigenous-owned company. This company makes Indigenous footwear and other accessories to keep you toasty warm in the wintertime. Their Storyboot Project aims to revive traditional arts. This is done by partnering with those who use traditional ways to make Indigenous footwear, such as moccasins. 100% of the proceeds go back to the artists.
Patagonia is known for their outerwear. They use sustainable materials in their products. They help customers fix their clothing instead of buying new pieces. This company also keeps a close eye on their supply chain. That way they can make it safe for the environment, workers, and consumers.
Sometimes we can forget the ideals and goals behind labels when we are too focused on pampering ourselves. Do your research and find more companies that are giving back.