renew a treasure, renew a life
renew a treasure, renew a life
ah. yo. ka. native cherokee origin
she brought happiness No one should ever be anything less than happy with everything in their lives. Yes, there will be sometimes when it gets rough, but over everything else, there should never be a time when someone is afraid to speak up for what makes them happy. Our company, Ahyoka is nothing shy of this. We help bring justice for victims of Domestic Violence, creating the first step towards a happiness that everyone needs in their lives.
6
18
strength
recovery
8— Our Mission 12—Our Sponsor 16—Letter from the CEO
20— Why Repurpose? 22—Our Process
28 38
longevity
protection
30— Our Products 30—Jewelry 32— Purses 34—Jackets 36— Shoes
42— Fast Facts 44—True Stories
strength
about our company
Here at Ahyoka we focus on what is really important in life; happiness and longevity. Learn just how we do so.
Native American symbol of Strength. The natives thought of leather as a material of protection, one that was strong and would hold up during hard battles.
goods for good.
8-9 | ahyoka | strength | our mission
material goods for social good Here at Ahyoka, we strive to help those affected by domestic violence get justice for the wrongdoings committed against them. 40% of the proceeds from our sold repurposed leather goods go to the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence. All you have to do is send us your leather and choose the product design you want. We will make
your old material good into something new you can love for years to come, all while helping a social good. We pay for shipping both ways. To get started, simply log onto our website, Ahyoka.org and request your free shipping label. Ahyoka Headquarters 67 West St. Suite 33 Portland, OR. 97204
10-11 | ahyoka | our mission
while we take care of repurposing your leather goods, you help renew someone’s life. One out of every four women are affected by domestic violence throughout their life. However, only a select few of these cases are brought to court. So, when you send us your leather and choose a design you want it to be made into, 40% of the proceeds from your repurposing purchase go towards helping to get justice for women who have been affected by domestic violence.
sponsor some insight from our
12-13 | ahyoka | strength | our sponsor
commission on domestic & sexual violence The Commission addresses the large need to increase the number of well-trained & supported attorneys representing victims by providing creative training opportunities for lawyers, law students and advocates. For two decades this organization has focused on policy initiatives for lawyers who represent victims of domestic violence. Their efforts have been guided by understanding that skilled legal assistance is essential to successful intervention for victims and accountability for perpetrators. Their work crosses practice areas to address and change the learning needs of lawyers representing victims in a multitude of cases. The Commission provides lawyers with the resources they need to be more effective skilled advocates for victims, including one-on-one consultation and others.
their mission “ Increase access to justice for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking by mobilizing the legal profession.�
14-15 | ahyoka | our sponsor
Two women share their words at one of the nation wide domestic violence walks.
To learn more about the efforts of the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence, visit: americanbar.org/groups/domestic_violence
positive dreams
a letter from our ceo
As a woman passionate about many different issues around the globe, I decided that I needed to take a stand. I took it upon myself to tackle two very important issues that I have a passion for; leather repurposing and domestic violence justice. Strength and longevity are characteristics that can apply to many things in the world, leather and women being the two I decided to apply them to. Through Ahyoka, and with
the help of the American Bar Association, I was able to make my dream a reality. Material items that are made of leather can now be put to good use since 40% of our profits go toward helping others get justice for the domestic wrongdoings that were committed against them. We take pride in the products we create, & are proud of the affects Ahyoka has on gaining justice for domestic violence victims.
Nellie Blu CEO of Ahyoka
“ like the leather products we repurpose, our goal is to ensure a long, strong & protected life for those we help obtain justice.�
16-17 | ahyoka | strength | letter from the ceo Native American tradition states that a dream catcher lets in all positive dreams through the hoop in the center, which is said to represent strength.
recovery
repurposing process Why should we recycle and repurpose leather? Learn how Ahyoka takes one good and makes it into something new.
Native American symbol of Recovery. When the natives were to kill an animal, they would use every last bit of the sacred being, putting to use every last part.
EPURPOSE
The best bet when trying to recycle leather is to find another use for your old leather goods.
20-21 | ahyoka | recovery | repurpose
why repurpose leather? By recycling leather scraps or redirecting them into other industries to be repurposed, this diverts usable materials from entering landfills, lessens the demand for new leather production and lessens the need of chemical tanning processes. All of which are no good for the environment. Whole leather scraps can be used in small goods manufacturing such as bags, belts and wallets or it can also be ground up and reprocessed for products such as leather tiles or portfolios. When sent to landfill, leather is broken down to produce methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. This in turn affects global warming & other climate change effects. In turn, when looking to get rid of leather, the best way to handle this is to repurpose your goods into something new that will last for years.
repurposing
process you sent us your leather, but what happens next?
send items to: ahyoka headquarters 67 west st. suite 33 portland or. 97204
22-23 | ahyoka | recovery | our process
one
two
We receive your leather goods and the design you want them made into has already choose. Assessments are made to learn more about the product you sent.
Your product is cut up into the largest pieces it can be. If need be, we tap into our stock of excess leather so your design can be completed.
three
four
The leather is laid out in the pattern needed for your new product, sewn together by machines, and goes through its first of two quality assurance checks.
Finally, your product is complete, goes through its second quality assurance test, and is shipped back to you. The process will take up to a month and a half.
a strong life the non—biodegradable qualities of leather
Leather is regarded as being a material that does not decay. To date, no definitive work has concluded whether leather is or is not biodegradable after being put through composting conditions. Various works & experiences have shown that wet-white shavings, sludge limed trim, fleshing and hair are all readily biodegradable. However, the degradability of leather as a finished material has not received comprehensive evaluation. It would be expected that such chemically cross-linked organic matter would be resistant to biodegradation for periods exceeding hundreds of years. Extensive work is being conducted to find an appropriate solution to the issue of the materials non-biodegradable properties. As a first stage in the process, it is now possible to assess the biodegradability of leather. So far, a process has been created to assess comparative biodegradation of leather using an accelerated composting environment. A comparison has been made between the differences in leathers, and the optimum conditions have been determined to accelerate biodegradability.
billion pairs of shoes will be consumed globally by 2015 and this presents significant challenges for proper disposal.
24-25 | ahyoka | recovery | our process
Know you are not alone, and with a little support from others the seams will start to come together.
Starting at the beginning. There is a long road ahead, but there is a new life waiting at the end.
reclaimed
it’s all a part of the process
truth
When it’s all said and done, something beautiful will emerge. Your life and hope will be reclaimed.
Sometimes it will seem like it won’t ever end, the process will be long, but justice will be served.
It’s not going to be easy, but things will come together & your strength will lead you.
26-27 | ahyoka | recovery | our process
longevity
repurposed product designs Choose from a variety of different designs seen here or on our website; Ahyaka.com
Native American symbol for consistent life. Leather was a popular material for natives to use, simply because it would hold up for years.
jewlery genuine repurposed leather view more at ahyoka.com
a. native leather and feather Made with ½ yard of material Real quail feathers & turquoise |$145|
c. native knot bracelet Made with ½ yard of material Genuine repurposed leather |$35|
d. falling leaves Made with 1 yard of material 14K gold chain |$78|
a. chevron tricolor earrings
Made with <½ yard of material 14K gold |$42|
b. wrap around flower plate
Made with <½ yard of material Stainless steel plate |$38|
30-31 | ahyoka | longevity | products
a
b
c d
purses genuine repurposed leather view more at ahyoka.com
c
a
b
d
a. over the shoulder
c. native fringe
Made with 4 yards of material w:11in h:14in d:3in |$242|
Made with 4 yards of material w:14in h:14in d:4in |$255|
b. oversized satchel
d. multi duffle
Made with 3 yards of material w:20in h:14in d:3in |$279|
Made with 5 yards of material w:24in h:12in d:5in |$388|
32-33 | ahyoka | longevity | products
e. washed stitching Made with 3 yards of material w:10in h:12in d:4in |$205|
jackets genuine repurposed leather view more at ahyoka.com
a. native fringe Made with 5 yards of material Genuine Repurposed Leather |$305|
Made with 6 yards of material Genuine Repurposed Leather |$318|
c. washed leather
Made with 4 yards of material Genuine Repurposed Leather |$242|
b. biker leather
Made with 1 yard of material Genuine Repurposed Leather |$398|
e. old pilot
Made with 4 yards of material Genuine repurposed leather |$455|
d. draped leather
b
e
c
34-35 | ahyoka | longevity | products
d
shoes
genuine repurposed leather view more at ahyoka.com
c
a b
d
a. short boot
c. native lace up
Made with 2 yards of material Genuine Repurposed Leather |$242|
Made with 4 yards of material Genuine Repurposed Leather |$355|
b. simple sandal
d. sweetheart flat
Made with 2 yards of material Genuine Repurposed Leather |$107|
Made with 2 yards of material Genuine Repurposed Leather |$228|
Made with 4 yards of material Genuine Repurposed Leather |$505|
36-37 | ahyoka | longevity | products
e. old style lace up
protection
why do we do this?
Domestic violence will affect 25% of the female population. That means 1 in 4 women you know will be burdened with this type of hurting. We think thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enough of a reason.
Native American symbol of protection. Natives would carry spiritual objects with them, and carry them in a leather bag for protection. Leather can resist many different conditions, and keep you protected.
why we do this
â&#x20AC;&#x153; never be bullied into silence. never allow yourself to be made a victim. accept no ones definition of your life; define yourself.â&#x20AC;?
40-41 | ahyoka | protection | stories
Three women support a domestic violence walk.
domestic violence fast facts
one in every four women
will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year
physical assaults
stalkings
Perpetuated against females by intimate partners are reported to the police.
Historically, females have been most often
85% of domestic violence
victims are women.
victimized by someone they had once known.
42-43 | ahyoka | protection | stories
rapes
itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for a change meet three women who took the next step, stood up to their aggressor, and got the justice and protection that they needed to go on and live a normal life.
“ strength doesn’t come from what you can do. it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t” —rikki rogers
44-45 | ahyoka | protection | stories
everyone deserves happiness.
REPURPOSED LEATHER FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE JUSTICE
Ahyoka Headquarters 67 West St. Suite 33 Portland OR, 97204