" Taking secondhand strings to provide second chances for survivors of addiction, domestic violence, and human trafficking." 

​You have probably seen our mission statement on the Home Page of our website, at the events we pop up at, and on our business cards, but what exactly does it mean?

It means that all of our products are made out of donated musical instrument strings, both played on and new, and every piece is handcrafted by a survivor of addiction, domestic violence, or human trafficking. 

Employment through Strings for Hope provides our makers with supplemental income while they are in transition, teaches job skills, and may serve as a form of art therapy. Because employment through Strings for Hope provides flexibility, our makers are able to focus on recovery while maintaining a source of income. 

Our makers are our priority and are the reason we exist. We have been able to provide over $100,000 worth of supplemental income to our makers and work with about 10-12 makers at a time. 

In order to become a maker, survivors must be apart of a transitional housing program and attend our jewelry making classes. By utilizing transitional facilities, we serve as an additional stepping stone for survivors while they are in transition.  

It is our hope that as we continue to grow as a company, we can provide more women with opportunities while breaking stigmas surrounding recovery in the workplace.  

It's no secret that self care is important for a healthy mind, body, and spirit. There are millions of podcasts and blog posts about what self care is and what it isn't. To some, self care may include bubble baths and facials; to others, self care involves cuddling with loved ones or creating financial budgets. 

Regardless, how we learn to take care of ourselves can make a huge difference in our self care routines. Our makers in recovery had unique insight into the self care process. Here are 12 tips they have learned while in recovery. 

1) Focus on yourself instead of what everyone else is doing.
Your life path is unique and specific to you, not to anyone else. Just because someone is moving a little faster or slower or is making different decisions, doesn't mean you have to change the direction you are going! Stay true to yourself and trust you are exactly where you need to be. 

2) Learn how to be alone.
 While being with others is helpful and important, it is also just as important to spend quality time alone to reflect and decompress without the added pressure of someone else's thoughts or opinions. At the end of the day, all you have is yourself, so learn how to be okay with you.  

3) Stay open-minded. 
Change can't happen without an open-mind. Allow yourself to be open to things that make you uncomfortable. 

4) Be honest with how you're feeling.
Your feelings are 100% valid. Whether you're sad, mad, happy, or don't feel like doing something, it's your responsibility to stay true to yourself and honor your feelings. Not everyone will understand, and that's okay! 

5) Accept help and ask for it. 
Receiving help can be challenging, especially when you are used to fending for yourself. Remember that it is impossible for one person to know everything. You cannot move if you don't have the resources to do so. Remind yourself that everyone has to receive help sometimes; it's apart of the human experience. 

6) Surround yourself with supportive people.
Support is key to moving forward, and your tribe reflects your vibe! Be sure to surround yourself with people who support you. 

7) Take responsibility for yourself and your actions.
At the end of the day, nobody can force you to do anything. Your actions are yours and yours alone. Make sure you are making the best decisions for yourself without harming others. 

8) Reflect, pray, meditate. 
Spending time in reflection is a great way to relieve stress and sort through anything that may be holding you back or weighing you down. It's also a great way to plan for the future or create new goals. Try spending at least 15 minutes per day in reflection. 

9) Enjoy your life! 
Before you can make lasting change in your life, you must first begin to seek joy. You can find joy in little moments like a cup of coffee, a sunrise, or spending time with friends. 

10) Say no!
While difficult to do, saying no is one of the best boundaries you can establish with yourself and others. When you say no, you give yourself the space to honor your feelings and what you truly want. Whether you try to fake it or not, people can tell when you don't want to be somewhere. 

11) Forgive yourself.
We all make mistakes; it's apart of being human. No matter how many times you make the same mistake, give yourself grace and learn to practice forgiveness. Our mistakes can teach us valuable lessons when we are open. 

12) Love yourself.
Self love is the most important kind of love. People love you the way that you love you. Setting boundaries, saying no, and being proud of the person you are, are all ways to love yourself. Loving yourself is the most important aspect of self care. When you love yourself, you take care of yourself. 

If you try any of these self care tips, comment below! 



 

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Chrissi has been making jewelry for us for 5 months! We have loved watching her grow through the program and are so excited to share her experience with Strings. 

Q:  What were your first thoughts on Strings for Hope?
A: I thought it was really cool and creative and charitable. It combines two of my favorite things: helping people and creating sh*t! 
Q: What have you learned thus far by being apart of the program? 
A: Making jewelry is a really good outlet to relieve stress and anger. If I feel angry, I just make a bracelet. I have also learned that this is the first thing I haven't quit. I hate doing things I don't get the first time, but with this and recovery, I keep trying. 
Q: What does hope mean to you?
A: Anytime someone asks me what a word means to me, my brain answers in 4 words to break it down... this probably comes from my writing nature. Hope to me means: heart open personified evaluation. 
Q: What is your favorite part about String for Hope?
A: the women
Q: Where would you like to see the company go?
A: I would love to see more jewelry wraps with crystals and other designs. 
Q: Where do you see yourself 2 years from now?
A: I see myself as a published writer. 
Q: Share a quote from an original poem:
A: "In a world with unrelated reality stars, she just wants to be the narrative in a human interest documentary." 

     Our CEO and Director of Operations attended an event hosted by Zero Waste. The event was attended by companies that focus on sustainability in the local Nashville area. We learned so much about how our community is bettering our environment and how we can do more to help! 

Here are some facts on guitar string break down!

1. Since most guitar strings are made of mixed metals, they can range from steel, copper, brass, nickel, bronze, (being 80% copper) and nylon. This makes their range of decomposition anywhere from 50- 200 years. 
2. If the strings are coated in plastic polymers, the string can even longer to decompose, up to 1000 years. 

    If you or someone you know has string they would like to get rid of, please contact us! We are always looking for donations and love doing our part in saving our environment. 

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