GIVING KEYS – LA BRAND OFFERS TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT TO HOMELESS PEOPLE

By: Prachi Khatri

It can be heartbreaking to encounter someone experiencing homelessness and feel the weight of helplessness, wishing there were more you could do than simply offer spare change. An LA brand, The Giving Keys, has figured out a way to do something more than just give away spare change.

In Los Angeles, the city of dreams and reinvention, The Giving Keys is a personalized jewelry brand specializing in accessories made with keys that double as symbols of inspiration. The basis of this philanthropic business is to offer people a second chance, an opportunity for redemption for those who lost track of their life. A jewelry brand based on purpose, home, and a dream.

Source: The giving Keys website

According to the Los Angeles Times and USA Facts data, there are 72,308 homeless individuals in LA and 771,480 in the United States, while 1.6 billion lack adequate housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) data indicates a 12% year-over-year increase in these numbers. Of those, many live on the street, with no shelter, sleeping in parks and sidewalks.

The number one reason for homelessness in Californians is income loss. Losing income is even more prevalent than addictions or mental health issues. In a beautiful city like LA, homelessness is on the rise, but there are not many grassroot solutions. The Giving Keys offers a beacon of pragmatism, a hope to those on the streets that the world is thinking of them.

The Giving Keys is helping people transition out of homelessness by creating job opportunities for them within the company. The idea is simple: repurpose old keys into stylish jewelry pieces engraved with inspirational words such as “believe,” “hope,” “breathe,” “fearless,” etc. The brand’s philanthropy initiative goes beyond donations or sharing profit; it hires individuals experiencing homelessness and teaches them marketable skills to use in the world.

Individuals are trained and provided with mentorship to give them a second chance in the world and improve their lives. With job training and long-term employment, many are successful in securing permanent housing and say goodbye to homelessness.

Source: The giving Keys website

The brand’s founder, Caitlin Crosby, a singer, songwriter, and actress, started The Giving Keys while on a tour, inspired by the struggle of a young homeless couple. Growing up in Hollywood, Caitlin understood the exacerbated shortage of affordable housing and built a brand that uses transitional employment as a model for its success.

By providing individuals with skilled jobs to support themselves, it not only offers a source of income but also confidence and experience for the real world. For many individuals it’s a steppingstone to self-sufficiency. Each piece of jewelry is encouraged to be given away to someone who needs the message and to share their “pay it forward” story.

Founded in 2008, the company has employed 130 people to transition out of homelessness. The company has sold over 2 million keys and helped 30+ move into permanent housing. The powerful message to “pay it forward” through engraved words on keys has many celebrity fans like Taylor Swift, Ryan Gosling, etc.

The brand sells its products in iconic shops like Nordstrom and Anthropologie and occasionally makes an appearance in Starbucks across the globe and has over 2000 retail stores. Homeless individuals employed as staff work in various roles, from jewelry assembly to shipping, customer service, etc. Beyond working on the brand, they are connected to various resources for financial literacy and education via nonprofit partners like People Assisting the Homeless (PATH).

Brands like The Giving Keys are addressing systemic challenges with a venture that bridges the gap in public systems and innovation in philanthropy models. It’s a reminder that sometimes the smallest key can unlock the greatest potential. Yes, a single company can’t eliminate homelessness, but The Giving Keys sets an example of how a social issue can be a good business that brings people together and uplifts them towards a life where dignity and opportunity are not luxuries but basic rights everyone should be entitled to.