Business continues to boom for Starfish Project, an international jewelry ministry cofounded by Bethel alumnae Priscilla (Pasquale ’99) Daeger (pictured, left) and Jenny (Dyer ’99) McGee.

Bethel Magazine first featured Starfish Project on the fall 2009 cover, and since then the ministry, which is devoted to rescuing women once trapped in prostitution overseas, moved its U.S. business from the basement of Daeger’s Elkhart home to an office in downtown Goshen, Ind.

Starfish in Asia, which is currently run by McGee and her husband, has reregistered as a larger corporation, enabling them to provide jobs with dignity to twice as many women as before. The project has moved its original shelter to a new location, doubling its capacity; and it’s opened two additional shelters where exploited women receive lodging, medical care, employment, Christian counseling and vocational training.

Currently, in Asia, there are more than 30 full-time staff, more than half of whom are women who have come out of a life of exploitation. The U.S. office has two full-time employees and 8-10 volunteers who rotate throughout the week.

Daeger recently stepped down as director of the Starfish Project to spend time with family. Longtime Starfish employee Ashley Flora has been promoted as the new director.

To learn more and purchase jewelry, visit the Starfish Project website at Starfish-Project.com