Santa Clarita residents Karina McAhren and Christina Vaichus launched a clothing line designed to bring awareness to human trafficking and hope to one day use the line to employ former victims.
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“27 Million. That is how many men, women, and children worldwide have been estimated to be a victim of human trafficking,” say the young entrepreneurs. “Many people are unaware that slavery still exists and that it’s worse than ever before.”
The Santa Clarita based company, Citizen & Darling, donates 20 percent of their proceeds to organizations that fight for human trafficking victims and use the rest to help build their company that they hope will one day employ and support those victims.
“We are excited to use fashion to help victims and bring awareness,” says Vaichus. “It’s an opportunity to be a voice for the voiceless.”
Their vision is to one day provide basic needs and career opportunities and restore emotional and mental health to those coming out of the trafficking industry.
“The end game is to have a full clothing line that is sophisticated, sweatshop-free, and American made,” says Vaichus. “We’d like to have an aftercare program where we’re teaching trafficking victims a job, giving them opportunities, and allowing them to start a new life.”
McAhren, a graduate of the Fashion institute of Los Angeles, is also a wife and a working mother of three. Vaichus, a newlywed and an aspiring psychologist with a background in philanthropy, works two jobs in addition to the work that goes into starting a company from the ground up.
Both draw inspiration and determination from their Christian faith and say an aftercare program could be a way for victims to renew their identity after the trauma that comes with being a sex slave.
“You’re a citizen to the Kingdom of God, and you are loved,” says Vaichus.
Citizen & Darling also features children’s t-shirts with the words “wonderfully made” printed across them. Although a sweet design, McAhren reminds us that the shirts should also serve as a reminder that children are sold into sex slavery across the world every day.
“The problem is a little bit overwhelming, and I think a lot of people sometimes don’t know how they can help,” says Vaichus, “And, so that’s where we want to come in and provide an opportunity that’s attainable.”
For more information visit their website here, and their Facebook page here.
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