A stylish, empowering team effort
ME to WE, the Toronto-based non-governmental organization, has changed the way many people think about giving back.
Now, getting involved with the ME to WE mission is as easy as stopping by your local Call It Spring shoe store (or checking in online), thanks to a cool new collaboration.
David Bensadoun, chief executive of the Aldo Group, chatted about the partnership.
Q How did this come about?
A My wife Isabelle and I had the pleasure of meeting Craig Kielburger through a friend four years ago and we were just amazed by his personal story and what his organization has accomplished. ME to WE has done a great job of making change accessible to anyone who wants to make a difference. At Call It Spring, what’s most important to our customer is connecting with those who want to make a difference. From that, we knew that it was critical for Call It Spring to do something meaningful and there was no question that ME to WE was the right fit. We wanted to be part of their mission to empower others.
Q What makes ME to WE a good fit for Call It Spring?
A If you speak to anyone from the WE organization, the one word you will always hear them say is together: Together we will change the world, together we can make an impact. At the Aldo Group, we’ve been working hard to build our company in a way we can be proud of and we’re doing it together with our partners. … The partnership is such a great fit because Call It Spring and ME to WE not only share the same values, but they also share the belief that the younger generation is going to be the one to create change in the world.
Q What is the collaboration collection all about?
A At its core, the collection is about creating meaningful change in Kenya and empowering our customers at Call It Spring to create that change. Whether it’s providing clean water to a person in a WE-supported village, or giving school supplies to a student from a WE school, this program is about making change accessible to anyone who wants to create an impact.
The collection is also about empowering women in communities in Kenya, giving them the tools necessary to achieve financial independence. The collection is handmade by Maasai Mamas from Narok County, which is in southwestern Kenya. This project makes use of traditional skills and techniques passed down to the Mamas through generations. In a society where women aren’t traditionally the breadwinners, collections like ours, powered by the WE artisans program, shift the dynamic, providing women with an opportunity where they can earn money, gain financial independence and provide for their families.
Q What is the price range?
A There are three pieces that make up the #WEcallitchange collection: the Education Bracelet, $10, which equals school supplies for one child for one year; the Water Bracelet, $10, which equals clean water for one person; and the Opportunity Necklace, $12, which equals business training development for one woman.