Dear friends,

A message for everyone who believes the impact of faithful work among women at risk is important and an opportunity to preserve what has mattered most while expanding what is possible.

For many years, Designed For Joy offered meaningful employment to women in crisis to help rebuild their lives. Hope + Vine reaches young women even earlier, as they age out of foster care, providing paid work, mentoring, and life-building support at a pivotal moment.

Different starting points. A shared commitment to dignity, long-term stability, and opportunity.

When Designed For Joy recently closed, Hope + Vine moved swiftly to preserve what had been built. We hired one of their sewists, and began raising funds while acquiring equipment, designs, and operational processes. We are also grateful to have ongoing support from Kristen, one of Designed For Joy’s cofounders, and Dana, their production coordinator, who are working alongside us in the coming months to help ensure a thoughtful and excellent transition.

This transition happened in under three weeks; protecting the learnings, craftsmanship, and systems that made the work meaningful, and allowing it to continue serving in the community. We were humbled by the timing of this opportunity, as it came just as Hope + Vine was seeking to strengthen and expand our retail operations.

That decisive action, while essential, came with immediate and unexpected costs.

To fully stabilize this transition and position the organization for a strong, sustainable next chapter, $153,000 is needed now. These funds will underwrite the integration of operations, sustain jobs already in motion, and allow Hope + Vine to build on this legacy with excellence and long-term impact.

If you have previously invested in Designed For Joy, we want you to know: the work you believed in is not ending. It is being carefully carried forward by people, processes, and purpose that you already trust.

If you walk closely with Hope + Vine, this moment represents a meaningful opportunity to deepen and expand the impact you already support.

We offer this invitation with respect for your discernment. Whether through financial support, strategic counsel, or helping share this story with others, your engagement at this moment truly matters.

We are in the process of refining our 2026 strategy, budget, and location to steward these resources with clarity and intention. If you’d like to learn more, get to know us, or simply offer encouragement, we would genuinely welcome the conversation at info@hopeandvine.org.

Thank you for your consideration, your generosity, and your belief that meaningful work, done well, can change lives for the long term.

With gratitude,
Rene Monnot
Executive Director

 

Use of Funds

1. Foundation Stabilization- $72,000

Provides continuity during transition.

2. Production Enablement- $33,000

Support artisans, sewist labor, coordination, and fulfillment readiness.

3. Inventory and Materials- $15,000

Replenish materials to maintain and expand inventory. 

4. Market Growth- $25,000

Maintain and grow customer base. 

5. Strategic Flexibility-$8,000

Maintain resserves for future possibilities.