SAN DIEGO - A last-minute gift idea in San Diego will also give back to the community.
The Tomorrow Project sells soups, spices, tea and bracelets, with their proceeds going to help homeless women.
It's a sister project to Rachel's Day Center and Midnight Shelter, run through Catholic Charities.
"This is a hand up, not a hand out," said program director Shayna Jennings Weider.
The program is more than just charity, as it also gives women jobs. Every woman who helps put together the items they sell is homeless.
"I couldn't wait to get started. I've only worked here four days, but it's amazing. Every day is different," said Deborah, one of the homeless women who work there.
Deborah told 10News she's been living in her car for the last 2 1/2 months, but she said she's found renewed confidence and purpose through the work she does.
"This is a safe place to be happy and know that someday you're going to be OK, you can do this on your own. You don't need somebody else to validate you," Deborah said.
Brett Krugman, who owns Brett Lauren Jewelry, works with the Tomorrow Project and has the women bead bracelets for her.
"I didn't want a typical factory. I didn't need a typical factory," she said. "This is our factory, this is our family, this is our team. It's a collaborative effort."
The motto of the Tomorrow Project is "We Love Employee Turnover." They hope every woman that works for them will someday get a full-time job and no longer need their help.
Until then, as Weider said, they'll keep providing opportunities.
"I think that's one of the biggest things we do here is empower the women to do it for themselves," said Weider.
