Ethical Hope: Plum resident helps world’s artisans sell products

Extreme poverty can lead to extreme measures for many of the world’s mothers.

“It’s easier to sell your child for money than it is to raise your child. That’s a heartbreaking reality,” Meredith Hedeen said. “And that happens in the U.S., too.”

From her home in Plum, Hedeen seeks to put a dent in human trafficking — along with problems caused by the likes of addiction, incarceration and mental health issues — through her business, Ethical Hope.

Serving primarily as an online store, the venture connects buyers with handmade products from around the globe, with the intention of supporting organizations that strive to assist people in creating better lives for themselves.

“They are providing employment,” she said. “They’re providing training. They’re providing education for people who really want to work and get out of the situation they’re in, but just don’t have the opportunity.”

Providing a safer environment can be a major consideration, as well.

“A lot of these organizations are not only taking the moms out of those situations, they’re helping their kids, too,” Hedeen said. “They’re bringing the children to work with them, or they’re able to work in their homes with their children. It keeps them safe from kidnappers or rapists, or other horrible things.”

As a minister’s daughter — the Rev. Jack Lolla served as pastor of Plum Creek Presbyterian Church for 26 years — Hedeen learned early about the unfortunate amount of need in her community and far beyond. While attending Grove City College, she started working with boys at George Junior Republic, which offers residential and community-based programs for at-risk youth and their families.

“Getting to hear their stories and what situations they are in, it’s really heartbreaking,” she said.

She later taught at Plum Borough and Franklin Regional schools, and served as director of education at two area churches, before leaving full-time employment to care for what eventually became a family of three daughters with her husband, John. Although she had the best of intentions as an educator:

“I was not really feeling like I could help people in the way that I wanted to and in the ways that people really need it,” Hedeen said.

She took a broader approach by founding Ethical Hope in 2018, initially connecting with organizations through the Fair Trade Federation, a community of North American enterprises committed to equitable and sustainable trading partnerships. Her interactions since have expanded to four other continents.

“For me, this is offering a way to be a voice, to share the stories of the people who want those better lives and helping to get that word out there through the products that they make,” she said. “They make beautiful things, and you can do amazing things with so little, especially in some of these very destitute, impoverished countries.”

An example fairly close to home is Haiti, where artisans used recycled steel drums to craft a variety of items, including seasonally appropriate tree ornaments.

New this year, Ethical Hope is offering a “personal shopper” service, providing gift ideas based on descriptions of recipients.

“We’ll show you a picture of what that is. You can say yay or nay,” Hedeen said, and if the answer is yes, “We can ship it for you with a personal message. That’s something that I’m really excited about trying.”

In addition to selling products online, she sets up shop at numerous events, with recent example being the Oakmont Hometown Christmas and Christmas at Plum Creek celebrations. Usually joining her are daughters Anna, Ivy and Ella, who also assist with many of the necessary internet-related tasks.

“So it really has become something that we’re all invested in,” Hedeen said.

For more information, visit www.ethicalhope.com.