We anticipate that you may be asking yourself, "Why is The Boston Project getting in the business of selling t-shirts?" Let us share about this ministry (yes, ministry), that we believe God has given us.
Earlier this year, a long-time friend of The Boston Project donated his fair-trade t-shirt business to our ministry. While hesitant at first, we soon recognized ways that this business reflects several of our core values as a ministry, and we are excited to bring it to you in its baby stages. Over the next few years, we expect that God will use it to further his Kingdom work here in our neighborhood as well as help show his love to people all around the world. We want to share why we think this is so.
- Employment Opportunities for Young People. Year after year, we recognize (i.e. people tell us over and over) that the biggest need for teenagers in our neighborhood is jobs. During the past three summers, we have provided over 50 teenagers with jobs, developing job skills like punctuality, dependability, respect, and commitment. At the same time, they make money that is often used in supporting their families (as well as some well-earned goodies, like a new pair of shoes).
While we see the need for jobs, we also see a resource in literally dozens of teenagers within a block radius that are able-bodied and willing to work towards something worthwhile. This is an asset that can enrich this community and set these young people on a positive course in their lives.
In the coming year, our hope is to begin employing young people in our neighborhood in the day-to-day operation of the t-shirt business. Eventually, we would like to hand over the full business to young men and women in our community.
- Promoting Fair Economic Practices. We are acutely aware of injustices that happen around us in our neighborhood, and how that affects our neighbors, friends, and co-workers. Injust practices that take advantage of the poor are not simply numbers or statistics - they are faces and stories.
That's why we are also concerned about where the clothing we sell comes from. All of the "In With The Good" shirts are either fair-trade, organically made, or sweatshop-free (sometimes more than one of these). That way, the people who make them are not being taken advantage of, but are receiving fair treatment and wages for their work.
