In the heart of East Asia, Jenny McGee, Founder and CEO of Starfish Project, embarked on a transformative journey in 2006. Originally from Goshen, McGee, along with a group of friends, witnessed the exploitation of women and girls in their city and felt compelled to take action. The result was the birth of Starfish Project, a jewelry company with a profound mission – to restore hope and bring freedom to those who have endured exploitation.
The journey began in a small apartment with a unique orange couch, symbolizing the modest origins of a venture rooted in compassion and resilience. Inspired by a vision to celebrate the value and beauty of each woman, Starfish Project evolved from a small group of friends into a family united by a common purpose.
The core of Starfish Project’s impact lies in its Holistic Care and Vocational Training programs, supported by donations. McGee emphasizes that while the social enterprise costs, including salaries for women developing their careers at Starfish Project, are covered through jewelry sales, sustaining life-transforming programs requires additional support. Donations enable trauma counseling, literacy training, childcare, safe shelter, extensive medical care, and more.
McGee emphasizes the pivotal role customers play in the company’s mission and success. The tagline “Wear Hope, Give Hope” encapsulates the ethos of Starfish Project. Customers become partners in life-transforming work, symbolizing shared hope and freedom through the beauty of jewelry designs. The impact of each purchase extends beyond a transaction; it becomes a catalyst for survivors embarking on their journey to freedom.
Acknowledging the importance of customer involvement, McGee expresses gratitude, saying, “Your impact is incredible, and we couldn’t do this important work without you. Thank you for helping us restore hope.”
As part of their commitment to creating connections, Starfish Project introduces the Give Hope mini-collection. This collection bridges women globally, allowing purchasers to receive a piece of jewelry while another piece is given on their behalf to a woman building a new life. It exemplifies the philosophy that the act of wearing hope also becomes an opportunity to give hope.
In the heart of Barcelona, the twelfth boutique stands not just as a showcase for exquisite jewelry but as a testament to the transformative power of compassion, resilience, and shared hope. Starfish Project continues to be a beacon of light, empowering lives through jewelry with a purpose.
