To help alleviate the shortage of personal protective equipment, Ascension St. Vincent’s, Rethreaded and four area credit unions are partnering to create masks for health care workers.
Ascension will provide the material, which is designed to keep out water, bacteria and 99.9% of particulates.
“This is a wonderful collaboration that will help both our caregivers and the talented, dedicated workers at Rethreaded, who have already overcome so much as survivors of human trafficking,” said Tom VanOsdol, president and CEO of Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast. “We are doing well on supplies at this time, including masks, but we continue to proactively look for creative solutions to employ should we need them. This is a prime example of local innovation and collaboration in action.”
Rethreaded staff will take the material, sew them and send them back to Ascension St. Vincent’s. Rethreaded employs survivors of human trafficking.
“We’re so thankful to be able to assist Ascension St. Vincent’s and our greater community at this important time, and we’re grateful to our credit union partners for their support that provides safe and impactful work for our survivors,” said Rethreaded Founder and CEO Kristin Keen.
VyStar Credit Union, Community First Credit Union, 121 Financial Credit Union and Jax Federal Credit Union will cover the labor costs associated with producing the masks.
“We are proud to partner with Rethreaded, Ascension St. Vincent’s, and each other on this important community effort to help those on our frontlines fight this pandemic,” the local credit union leaders said in a joint statement.