GOEX Apparel was born in 2012 from the acknowledgement that all around the world families are breaking down because they do not have the resources to care for their children. These parents make a heartbreaking, conscious decision to give up their children to institutions they believe can better provide for them. In building or supporting orphanages instead of strengthening families, our parent organization was not breaking the orphan cycle but was instead, unknowingly, contributing to it.

The good news is that humility is a core value and so we owned and learned from our mistakes. We still invest in care in times of catastrophic family breakdown, and always will, but day in and day out we believe in strengthening families so they can care for their own children with the love and purpose only family can provide. And we are dedicated to living out this mission in the hardest of places and the hardest of times – in refugee camps in Africa and the Middle East, in HIV communities in India and in the gang-ridden neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Even in these places – especially in these places – where families are facing unimaginable challenges, we believe they still have opportunities to flourish when equipped with skills, enveloped by neighbors, and supported by a local church. 

And so, despite all odds, we are both excited and humbled to update that in July we are creating jobs, fresh and anew, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We’ve been asked several times if this is a good idea. We believe it’s a great idea. Why? Because people want to come to work now more than ever. In hard or scary places, traditional models of charity, which do not break the orphan cycle and often perpetuate it, are not coming to the rescue. And, realistically, the Haitian people do not want to live that way anyway. They desire the dignity and respect that comes from the work of their own hands to provide for their families and empower them to give back within their communities – they want to be generous to those around them. This is how they define flourishing. 

Our new GOEX factory stands behind high walls with increased security. We have done all in our power to provide physical safety. But we want to invest in more than the physical safety of our team – we want to invest in their futures. This new factory will also open with a version of Strong Family adapted for the workplace to build redemptive connections that unlock their potential while teaching micro-skills that increase the capacity of our employees to care for their families and hope for the future. We want our team members to build lives and achieve their dreams. We want them to flourish! 

We know this approach works in Haiti. Even amidst the extreme suffering, our local-church-based Strong Family ministry has flourished. We have grown our work in Haiti, with 928 families (who collectively have 3,248 children) using Strong Family to care for themselves and each other through their own work and connection. 

One of our core values is Courage. Our team members in Haiti are courageous to the extreme. They inspire us! When times are challenging, we do not run away. We lean in, we support our local leaders, and we move forward with thoughtful, prayerful but courageous moves that support and empower families. Now more than ever, the people of Haiti need this kind of support. Trillions of dollars in aid have not moved the needle. But, we believe, strong, empowered families can make a difference and build a better future. 

To all of you in the GOEX family who love the people of Haiti, thank you for never shrinking back!