Something we talk about a lot is getting to the root of your “why”. Without a substantial, sustaining, heart-pumping “why”, you will lack the motivation to follow through on the intentions you set, no matter how big or small. Well, here at Evergreen Planner, the team has been tapping into one of our core missions. And we’re finally ready to reveal a big part of our “why” for being in business.
As of September 2020, 10% of Evergreen Planner’s net income has been set aside to fight the evils of human trafficking. Last Friday morning, we made our first donation of hundreds of dollars to HopeForJustice.org—and thanks to a matching gift, that donation was doubled!
We’re so excited about the strategies that Hope for Justice is implementing to make real change and deliver the oppressed from horrific forms of exploitation around the world. They operate in the United States, the UK, Norway, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Uganda, and other countries via partner charities and specific projects. The organization is founded on the principles of the Christian faith and seeks to demonstrate the love of God in their efforts.
Their on-the-ground tactics are incredibly practical:
- they work to prevent exploitation through self-help groups and community education
- they rescue victims through building trust with them and then safely removing them from exploitation
- they help get victims back on their feet with housing, financial, legal, and mental help support
- they work to reform our society by training “frontline professionals” (such as first responders, health care workers, and charity staffs)
- they work to change policies in order to protect and bring justice for victims
Financial support is crucial to their mission, and each of the dollars sent to them are put to work for maximum effectiveness. Here are some examples of the ways your money is being used to help change lives.
- $25 donated by Evergreen Planner could provide meals for a week for a child in one of their safe houses
- $50 donated by Evergreen Planner could provide emergency shelter and care for a vulnerable child for an entire month
- $5,000 donated by Evergreen Planner could fund an entire investigative and rescue operation to deliver a child or adult from modern day slavery
10% of the net of every single purchase you make to Evergreen Planner will go straight to helping real women, children, and men who are trapped in a life of exploitation and oppression. What do we mean by net? When you make a purchase from Evergreen, the first thing we do is set aside the “cost of goods” for that particular product so that we have the means to replenish our inventory. Immediately after that, 10% is set aside to be donated—before overhead bills are paid, and before we draw our own paychecks. We’re talking about a substantial cashflow that will be going to help our most vulnerable neighbors around the globe.
You can also donate directly to this organization by clicking here. (And this is an amazing time to do so—all donations are being DOUBLED until December 31st, 2020!)
Why We’re Doing This
All humans are called to Image God by cultivating abundance and communion in the world, and each and every Image Bearer has the God-given gift of dignity. Each person was originally designed by God to walk with God and others in love and security. In alignment with the Genesis Mandate, each human should have the liberty to peacefully steward their own space in God’s beautiful world through intrinsically motivated imagination, engineering, entrepreneurship, property rights, and free contribution to their communities.
But during the days of our first parents, the Enemy of God’s Love came in and sowed seeds of contention, greed, lust, and hunger for godlike power. Instead of seeking to steward and develop the resources God has given us, humanity abandoned the life-source of God’s love and dove headlong into a program of manipulating, dominating, and exploiting other humans for short-term profits. Entire systems of oppression have sprung out of these corruptions of the human heart. The result has been a dangerous world that advances the schemes of hell for tens of millions of people via the crime of human trafficking.
Right now, while millions of our fellow Image-Bearers languish in the physical and/or psychological chains of modern day slavery and exploitation, most of us are cozying up to celebrate the Christmas season.
We’re warmly celebrating that quiet moment when Christ stepped into human flesh and changed the course of history forever.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” — Isaiah 9:5-7
And what radical change did His incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension bring to the world? The change of hearts. Christ bore the sins of many and sent His Holy Spirit to transform the world with His Justice, Zeal, and Love—and for two thousand years, generations of changed people have been beating their swords into plowshares, and diligently seeking out ways to be His hands and feet to a desperate world.
“Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and the needy.” — Proverbs 31:9
We have given our entire lives to this Christ-led movement. The “shelterhood of every believer” is a core motivation for us—and the reason why we have committed to use our business as a channel of aid for the oppressed. It is something we dreamed about from the very beginning of launching this business, and we were thrilled to be able to make that first donation last week.
Your Part
You know that the world is in desperate need of help. You think about it, pray about it, and wonder what more you can do. January is not only the month for New Years Resolutions, but it’s also National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. More conversations will be happening in public channels, raising awareness about this growing international crisis.
Meanwhile, you have been called to a specific sphere of influence. By being faithful in your own home, business, and community, you’re building into structures of stability and health. Every relationship you tend, every project you tackle, every solution you design, and every plan you brainstorm is a deeply valuable demonstration of personal responsibility and agency. You cannot underestimate the contribution that your daily acts of faithfulness are to the Kingdom that God is building.
But every time you sit down with your Evergreen Planner and a cup of coffee to cultivate abundance where you are, say a prayer for your oppressed neighbors around the world. Christ is zealous for justice and peace on earth.
Hope for Justice is committed to rescuing and restoring every victim of modern day slavery and we’re building an organisation to make that possible. — HFJ FAQ page
This is the mission that we’re getting behind together. Thank you for partnering with us, with your purchases, to pursue justice for the exploited.