During the economic shift caused by COVID-19, local nonprofit Rethreaded has rearranged its production warehouse to focus on making masks for healthcare professionals using N99 filter material, rather than creating the clothing, jewelry and accessories that it normally sells. 

Baptist Health donated N99 fabric and six local credit unions are providing financial support so that Rethreaded can produce 1,300 masks for Baptist specifically. Rethreaded has also created masks for Ascension St. Vincent’s. The nonprofit is a social enterprise that employs survivors of human trafficking, giving them a second chance at life.

Rethreaded’s mission is to renew hope, reignite dreams and release potential for survivors of human trafficking locally and globally through business. This message of hope is especially meaningful in the midst of a global pandemic.

Thanks to the generosity of Alive Credit Union, Jacksonville Federal Credit Union, 121 Financial Credit Union, City and Police Credit Union, Coastline Federal Credit Union, First Florida Credit Union, Metro North Federal Credit Union, Vystar Credit Union and Jacksonville Firemen’s Credit Union, Rethreaded can continue making masks for Ascension St. Vincent’s and Baptist Health Jacksonville, as long as they are needed.

Rethreaded is following strict guidelines to ensure that each mask is safe and sanitary before it goes to hospital caregivers. The organization is thankful to everyone working on the frontlines during this pandemic.