Franciscan Peacemakers today announced the Grand Opening for their Social Enterprise’s new retail store on Saturday, October 26, 2019 with ribbon cutting at noon. This news comes as the organization embarks on its 25th year of serving women engaged in prostitution and recovering from substance addiction and trauma associated with sex trafficking.
In 1995, the Franciscan Peacemakers were founded by the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph to provide street outreach and support to women engaging in prostitution in Milwaukee. Since 2012 an additional focus for the nonprofit organization has been establishing and growing a Social Enterprise that employs women who have survived sexual exploitation or trafficking. The Social Enterprise involves making, marketing and selling handcrafted bath and body products and jewelry. The product line has achieved success, reaching $130,000 in sales at farmers markets, events and online. The store will be anchored at 3333 W Lisbon Avenue in Milwaukee, an area that experiences high levels of prostitution activity.
“Franciscan Peacemakers feels extraordinarily grateful to have moved onto this very vibrant block in Walnut Hill in a Milwaukee neighborhood most affected by the issue we have been addressing head on for decades,” said Deacon Steve Przedpelski, Executive Director of Franciscan Peacemakers. “We hope the retail store will make visible to the public what we have experienced since we started our social enterprise – that alternative ways of doing business that truly honor human dignity are not only possible, but necessary. Plus – the great smells from our production will feel right at home next to the tempting smells coming from next door at Amaranth Bakery!”
The Grand Opening event will include tours of the facility, including the production space and Hospitality Center from noon until 4 pm. To learn more about the Franciscan Peacemakers Grand Opening Event click here.
About Franciscan Peacemakers:
Franciscan Peacemakers provides a pathway to a sustainable healthy, safe and productive life for women engaging in prostitution due to trauma, human sex trafficking or drug addiction. The service approach of Franciscan Peacemakers includes:
(1) Outreach: Hospitality to women engaging in street prostitution
(2) Housing and Healing: Clare Community
(3) Employment: Social Enterprise
(4) Education: Speaking and Advocacy
To learn more, purchase products online, or arrange for a speaker from Franciscan Peacemakers to address your church or community group visit www.franciscanpeacemakers.com or email info@franciscanpeacemakers.com.
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