HopeAnchor & Crew
Nonprofit Blends Philanthropy & Artistry
Writer / Julie Yates
Photographer / Amy Payne
HopeAnchor & Crew Philanthropic Jewelry, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, evolved from a fun, family craft activity into an endeavor that blesses the community and beyond. Recently relocated in Saxony Villages Bonn Building, the retail space and philanthropic studio is a visual treat for the eyes. Patrons who either buy or make a beautiful and fashionable bracelet can enjoy themselves even more knowing that 25% of sales benefit other nonprofit organizations, both locally and throughout the nation and world. Also, imagine the joy of receiving a picture bracelet, each charm capturing a special moment or memory, making it a cherished keepsake to wear every day.
During the 15 years that Founder and Owner Lindsay Schloss worked as a social worker, she was able to see firsthand the need to coach women and teach them coping skills in order to improve their situations. A mother of five children aged 5 to 13, she has always had a passion for art and design. Her love of community, family and deep faith all came together in creating the philanthropy in May of 2019. It operated out of her home until moving into its current site this past October.
Hope anchors the soul, she says. Taking a step further, our community is only as strong as we are able to give back to the most vulnerable in it. Our Crew Fellowship is the backbone of the organization. At first the Crew was just my kids. Now the Crew is about 50 volunteers.
The Crew Fellowship is one of the three pillars that the company is based on. Women from centers such as Dove Recovery House for Women, Teen Challenge, and Hope Center Indy become part of the Crew as they make cute bracelets while being coached on how to live a healthy, full and balanced life. A curriculum based on a Wheel of Life concept, consisting of 10 separate areas, is followed.
Its like an internship for the women, Schloss says. They are coached to set one goal per area to work on, and encouraged to pick a word such as grateful, intentional or perseverance to focus on. All our volunteers are trained and have gone through the curriculum because you cant teach what you dont know.
The bracelets made by the Crew enable the pillar of retail. Customers can walk in any time and either purchase already-made jewelry or make their own in the philanthropic studio. Many volunteer groups, as well as moms-night-out gatherings, sports teams and Parties with a Purpose groups, have enjoyed assembling their own designs. The pieces come with drawstring bags and are priced at $25 for one, $45 for two or $60 for three.
Bracelets available for sale either in the retail space or online are made of a variety of materials such as glass and wooden beads, pearls, precious stones and metal. Varieties are available for children, women and men. They can be worn individually or stacked. The beaded combinations work well paired with the trendy metal cuffs. Prices range from $16 up to about $52 for a stack of three.
Through the partnerships that Schloss has established, the bracelets are sold in boutiques and several different organization websites throughout the country. In addition, several different collections are offered. The Light for Levi Collection includes a white stone bracelet with the word Light spelled out via individual beads for $22, as well as a mixed-metal option with the word Pray at $28. The Purposeful Living Shine Stack is featured in shades of pink and silver for $42. Other nonprofit fundraising collections include the Patriot, Mason and Londyn collections.
Purchasers not only have the ability to buy a piece of jewelry they will enjoy, but they also have a say in what their money will benefit, since 25% of retail profit is donated to other organizations and also used to fund the Crew Fellowship. This collaboration with 40 local and global philanthropic entities is the organizations third pillar. Some of these partnering nonprofits have partnered with the company to sell the jewelry collections on their websites. Gleaners Food Bank, Damar Services and Purposeful Living are some groups that have benefited.
Volunteers from the community are welcome. Making bracelets for the organizations philanthropic partners is a great team-building exercise, and a fun way to accumulate service hours for National Honor Society. The studio room can accommodate up to 35 people at one time. Sign-up opportunities can be accessed on the official website.
The website also allows reservations to be made for special events and Parties with a Purpose. Bracelets and collections can be viewed to get ideas on what is possible to create within the philanthropic studio.
HopeAnchor & Crew is located at 13578 East 131st Street, Suite 101 in Fishers. For more info, call 317-219-6267, visit hopeanchorandcrew.com or email hopeanchorandcrew@hopeanchorandcrew.com.
