Hope's Landing celebrates three years

TIFFIN --- Hope's Landing is celebrating three years providing a path forward for survivors. Leah Cordy, founder and CEO of Hope's Landing, said what began as a small, community-based company has grown to have products in 130 stores in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom and Italy. Hope's Landing was founded, Cordy said, to be a "trauma-informed workplace" for survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence. Cordy said she developed a desire to help fight for human and women's rights during her undergrad years at Heidelberg University and came to realize that a gap exists for women who are ready to transition from shelters/programs to a more mainstream existence. Many women who have experienced trauma, she said, experience difficulty finding employment when they are ready to take that step. Most are suffering from PTSD, Cordy said, and red flags for employers can exist from employment gaps, past drug charges or other circumstances that could be perceived negatively. To help bridge that gap, Hope's Landing began in 2021 as an employment option for trafficking and domestic violence survivors, she said. Hope's Landing produces and sells eco-friendly candles and bath and body products, including lotions, sugar scrubs, body butter, lip balm and bath salts, Cordy said. The production staff of the company, she said, "are all survivors" who work 25 hours a week. In addition, she said, Hope's Landing offers its employees two hours of developmental time each week to ensure they have the time needed for counseling appointments, court commitments or life coaching assistance. The approach, she said, is experiencing success. While there have been several positive outcomes from the Hope's Landing employment option, Cordy said one particular story stands out. One woman, she said, after working for nearly a year for the company, was offered an additional part-time job and was able to move out of the shelter where she lived. Since then, she has been increased to full-time hours at her new job, and is "able to fully support herself," Cordy said. Cordy said three years ago she never imagined the company would grow as much as it has. "I'm proud of our team and our progress," she said. In addition to Cordy and the survivors at Hope's Landing, she said, an Executive Director, Marrisa Orzechowski, was hired last year. Cordy said Hope's Landing products are available online at hopes-landing.com, and at a variety of retail locations in Tiffin, including Pan Yan Bookstore, Rose Leaf Flowers and Reclaim It 127. Hope's Landing also is available "at a lot of events" in the community, she said, including Tiffin's farmers' markets and events at Arlington Acres. The company is seeking volunteers to fill spots at its farmers' market booth through the season, she said. Cordy said she hopes to see additional collaborations created for Hope's Landing in the future and stressed the importance of "getting our name out there." As Hope's Landing continues to offer opportunities for survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence, Cordy said she is planning for program expansion and overall growth. Deciding to purchase from Hope's Landing can have a tremendous impact on women moving forward, Cordy said. "Our customers know that when they purchase our products they are "truly changing someone's life," she said. "We sell products that people are going to buy anyway."