WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. — Unshattered, a nonprofit that employs women in recovery from addiction and trains them to design premium handbags, recently announced that the organization will expand and move into a new building in Dutchess County, New York by the end of this month.
Unshattered’s founder and CEO Kelly Lyndgaard created the nonprofit in 2016 to help women who have struggled with addiction achieve financial stability and find community by designing handbags and other accessories out of recycled materials. With only a single relapse in its nearly 7-year history, Unshattered has become a leader in ending the addiction relapse cycle, recognized by the White House for its creative and effective methods for ending the opioid crisis. Thanks to the new 22,000 square-foot building, Unshattered will be able to hire more women and support their sobriety journeys.
“Getting sober is an incredible achievement, but only the first step on the journey for those in recovery. I’m grateful for support of the Hudson Valley community - our Ambassadors of Possibility - who shop our products, donate, and encourage our women to keep growing. They are making it possible for women to thrive on the other side of addiction,” Lyndgaard said.
According to Lyndgaard, this new space will help Unshattered expand the educational and supportive resources they offer for the women they employ. The building allows for expanded training and spaces dedicated to the personal and professional development activities incorporated in their employment model. Eventually, she envisions the nonprofit moving into other services areas to provide women with new skill sets. One goal is to open a café that brings the Dutchess County community together.
"We’re so proud of the work Unshattered is doing, and we’re thrilled that they’re expanding their presence here in Dutchess County,” said Sarah Lee, CEO of Think Dutchess. "This new building is a win for women in recovery and our entire community. We look forward to seeing Kelly and her team continue to change lives.”
The team at Unshattered plans to have a grand opening celebration open to the public later in Summer 2023. The expansion has received support from both community and national partners, including Southwest Airlines. The airline, which first partnered with the nonprofit in 2022, sent a team of 20 employees as a work crew to help Unshattered renovate its new space along with donating fabrics and grant funding.
Currently in an interim state, the adaptive reuse of Unshattered’s new location will be designed by MASS Design Group as a part of nonprofit Grace Farms’ Design for Freedom pilot project, a commitment between all three organizations to renovate sustainably by reusing environmentally adaptive materials and only using ethically-sourced labor operations. Both the expansion and partnership with Grace Farms are being launched in tandem with Unshattered’s exclusive new Investment Collection leather handbag line. Learn more about how the line helps women in recovery and shop the collection here.
About Unshattered
Unshattered employs women in recovery and provides pathways toward economic independence and sustained sobriety. Employees create handbags from upcycled materials such as leather from luxury car interiors, post-production materials from premium manufacturers, and more. An Unshattered bag is not only an extension of personal style, it's an expression of concern for social justice.