Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Hatch Community Innovation Lab : New co-working space seeking social enterprises to share office and retail space at Portland location with Awaz Handcrafts


Awaz Handcrafts is excited to find a great new private office space at the Hatch Community Innovation Lab on NE Sandy Blvd - and we have space to share it.

We have secured a 367 square foot office space in this amazing building, and we are looking for like minded social enterprises, businesses and non-profits to share it with. Low cost and affordable, this could be the perfect opportunity to take your business, practice or organization to the next level.
Ideally - we are looking for 2 other people to share this large private room with to make it affordable for all. 

We are offering 122 sq. ft. office space for $300 or 244 sq. ft. office for $600. Lease starts December 2013, ie. now and revisited in 6 months. Offer is affordable and starts in December 2013.


Located at 2420 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland, Hatch is a newly renovated building with over 13,000 square feet of co-working space, offering private offices, cubicles, conference rooms, a café and retail shop for its members. With nearly 30,000 cars that drive down Sandy Blvd each day, the building is located in a central location in a thriving neighborhood with cafés, restaurant and other like-minded businesses. Sponsored by Springboard Innovations, Hatch is building a positive community by linking environmentally conscious and socially minded businesses and non-profits, sharing resources, and building stronger, more resilient places for communities to thrive. 

The Space -
http://www.hatchthefuture.org/

We are offering 122 sq. ft. office space for $300 or 244 sq. ft. office for $600. Lease starts December 2013, ie. now and revisited in 6 months.

About Us:
Since 2008, we have been trading with small artisan groups in India, Nepal and Bolivia to create just livelihoods for workers, and improve the lives of women and families globally. We are fully committed to the economic up-liftment of small producers, honoring the human connection in trade, and creating an economic model that values people and the environment over profits. 


What else does Hatch offer? A lot! Not only will you be surrounded by a community of innovators, if you become a member or share our office space, you will have access to:

Workspace on the main floor of the Hatch building which features abundant natural light, couches, library tables, phone booths, café seating and free WiFi
Meeting and conference rooms
Discounted rates on after hour events in the Hatch building, which can host nearly 200 people
Professional workshops and presentations on relevant information to grow your organization or business
Bike storage and showers for bike commuters
Retail space
What else does Hatch offer?  A lot!   Not only will you be surrounded by a community of innovators, if you become a member or share our office space, you will have access to:

  • Workspace on the main floor of the Hatch building which features abundant natural light, couches, library tables, phone booths, café seating and free WiFi
  • Meeting and conference rooms
  • Discounted rates on after hour events in the Hatch building, which can host nearly 200 people
  • Professional workshops and presentations on relevant information to grow your organization or business
  • Bike storage and showers for bike commuters
  • Retail space
Check out the building layout here.

Shared Retail Opportunity 

We are also co-managing the Hatch retail space as well, and are looking for vendors who offer eco-friendly, socially-minded products to share this space with. Window front facing Sandy Blvd, the retail space is a key feature of the Hatch building. We are inviting both local artists and ethical businesses that work locally and internationally to share this retail space with Awaz Handcrafts. With low rent and high visibility, this space could be the perfect platform to share your products with an appreciative customer base and save money. 
You can use lots of space or less and pay from $100 - $500 a month. We want to create an eye catching mix of product and open to what you offer.

If you're interested in being a part of our community, want to share office space with Awaz Handcrafts, or collaborate on the Hatch retail space, let's talk.

Email Sarah Mitts, Director of Awaz Handcrafts at sarah@voiceforempowerment.com or call 503-995-5095 to discuss more or check out the building. Drop ins welcome - ask for Amy or Jon-Paul.

FAIR TRADE BAKE OFF!

 
 The holidays are upon us!  And for most of us that means time with family,  gift giving, delicious food, and too many sweet treats.  But for many producers around the world, particularly those that grow and harvest our sweet ingredients, the holidays and life in general are not so joyous.  

 Lets take a look at two of the most popular baking ingredients, chocolate and sugar.  Both industries are laden with worker exploitation, extremely low wages, environmental degradation, and even child slavery.  According to the European Fair Trade Association, cocoa farmers on average get barely five percent of the profit from their chocolate. Compare this to the trading organizations and chocolate industry which receive upwards of 70 percent of profits - that's 14 times more than their producers!  But in an industry where 40% of the cocoa is slave grown, one might consider themselves lucky to even be getting that five percent.  In Cote d'Ivoire, for example, the US Department of State estimates that more than 109,000 children work under “the worst forms of child labor” in the cocoa industry and that some 10,000 are victims of human trafficking or enslavement.   And the sugar industry is nearly as bad as the Chocolate industry.  In places like Cuba and Belize, where sugar exports make up to 70 percent of the country's total exports, sugar cane farmers are extremely vulnerable to fluctuations in market prices and are some of the most impoverished farmers in the world.  


How sweet does that brownie taste now??  Don't worry, there are alternatives to this system. We don't have to give up our tasty holiday traditions just yet.  Many Fair Trade companies are working hard to provide fair wages, safe working conditions, high quality and environmentally sustainable products.  We just need to support them through our purchases. 

So in the spirit of the coming holiday festivities, and in the hopes that we can all become more conscious about what our holiday sweets support, Awaz Handcrafts is excited to be hosting our first ever Fair Trade Bake Off!


FAIR TRADE BAKE OFF
Sunday, December 8th from 10am-2pm 
at The First Presbyterian Church
1200 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205

For a complete list of the Fair Trade Bake Off Rules and instructions, click here.  


   Look for the label!




The winner of the Fair Trade Bake Off will not only bask in the glory of Fair Trade goodness, but will be awarded a whole basket full of Fair Trade gifts! 

We are so looking forward to tasting your delicious holiday sweets!

Please direct questions to info@voiceforempowerment.com.



Peace, 
The Awaz Team






Saturday, November 9, 2013

Awaz Handcrafts NEW Office + Shop @ Hatch in Portland | Listings for Holiday Market Series 2013


The Holidays are here - and our team at Awaz is launching new things, just in time for your ethical holiday shopping.
First - our new name, Awaz Handcrafts - to define our name and what we do better, we're adding Handcrafts. What do you think? 
Did you know Awaz means Voice in Hindi? We're voices for fair trade, for women and for handcrafts - let's work together to fuel it. Shop our collection of unique handcrafted gifts that make a difference - and fuel positive change with us!

Second - Starting in December, we have a one stop shop for all that we do. Now you can shop, connect with us, collaborate and join forces at our co-working space. FINALLY.
Read more about the new Hatch community ->>>>>
http://www.hatchthefuture.org/

NEW PORTLAND OFFICE AND SHOP
beginning December 2, 2013
@ Hatch
2420 NE Sandy Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon, 97232

Do you have a mission driven enterprise and want to sell your products in our Retail Shop?
Are you looking for affordable office space to scale your enterprise?
We are looking for like-minded organizations and businesses who would like to share our private office space with us. Affordable and low-cost. Co-workers get access to the abundant resources and benefits of the Hatch community and its networks.
Open House Tuesday November 19, 2013 – 4 – 7pm

Other times available for viewing – just contact us!
Email sarah@voiceforempowerment.com or call 503-995-5095 to get involved!



You're invited
Awaz Handcraft 
Ethical Holiday Market Series 2013



Sunday, November 17th
10am – 2pm
4th Annual Fair Trade Holiday Marketplace at First Unitarian Church
First Unitarian Church
Fuller Room
1011 SW 12th Ave.
Portland, Oregon

We return for the fourth year at the First Unitarian Church annual holiday fair trade market. We organize and co-sponsor this sale as members of the Northwest Fair Trade Coalition in partnership with the church Economic Justice Action Group to build greater community and support for fair trade in their congregation. We will be joined by Zimbabwe Artists Project, Imani Project, Thembanathi and other vendors offering unique holiday gifts.


Friday, November 22nd
10am – 6pm
4th Annual international Art and Gift Market sponsored by Women’s Opportunity Worldwide
Broadway Commerce Building, 44 West Broadway, Eugene Oregon
Corner of Willamette and Broadway

We are a member of WOWW and will be joined by Friendship with Cambodia, Thembanathi, CREATE and Anando Foundation downtown Eugene for a unique holiday gift show benefiting women and their families, locally and globally.
Women’s Opportunity Worldwide (WOW) was formed in the Spring of 2010 to provide opportunities for networking and collaboration among the many nonprofit organizations based in Oregon’s Willamette Valley working to benefit women internationally.


Sunday, December 1
10am – 4pm
World Aids Day Celebration sponsored by Portland Area Global Aids Coalition
First Unitarian Church
Buchan Building
1011 SW 12th Ave.
Portland, Oregon

Food, Live Music, Children’s Activities, Fair Trade Market and Information Tables -
Join us in celebrating amazing global progress in “Getting to Zero”.

Learn how you can be more involved in supporting the Portland community to address the impact of aids. Awaz is a member of PAGAC and actively involved in this network of over 200 global justice organizations around Portland addressing global health and poverty issues. Take a minute and join us in honoring the women, communities and organizations around the world working to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Learn more about the progress made and how you can help now!

Stay tuned for a film screening of Fire in the Blood in Portland in January 2014 by PAGAC – as governments right now weigh the passing of the next biggest NAFTA, the Transpacific Partnership – which will extend patents and furthermore keep affordable AIDS medicine and healthcare out of the hands of those who need it most.



Friday, December 6th
4pm – 7pm

Wintergreen Arts and Craft Fair at National College of Natural Medicine
NCNM Annex
049 SW Porter St, Portland, OR 97201

Awaz is excited to be invited this year to join NCNM’s Art and Craft Fair. We are blessed to have the oldest accredited naturopathic medical college in North America right here in Portland. They offer gradudate programs in naturopathic medicine, classical Chinese medicine, integrative medicine research and nutrition blending ancient healing wisdom with modern science.
Come early to have tea at the Sokenbicha tea house at the Min Zidell Healing Garden that features a botanical teaching garden and labyrinth.
NCNM has great one day workshops, ongoing community classes and more to discover and learn about – join us!

Sunday, December 8th
10am – 2pm
4th Annual Fair Trade Holiday Marketplace at First Presbyterian Church
First Presbyterian Church
1200 SW Alder St., Portland, OR 97205

We return for the second year to participate at the annual holiday fair trade market at First Presbyterian Church downtown Portland. We organize and co-sponsor this sale as members of the Northwest Fair Trade Coalition in partnership with the church Fair Trade Leadership Team to build greater community and support for fair trade in their congregation. We will be joined by Zimbabwe Artists Project, Thembanathi and other vendors offering unique holiday gifts, food and snacks.