“We grew up crossing our stories.” seals the partnership between the protest brand and a social organization specialized in female employability
If there is one thing that we at Peita are proud of, it is the partnerships we have established in our more than five years of affront. We believe that it is together that we weave the fabric of the social fabric and it was at a crossroads in the loom of life that we found Cruzando Histórias , a non-profit organization that has been working for more than five years for the inclusion of women in the job market.
“ We grow by crossing our stories. ” is a position, a cry to the world, a proposal for debate on the situation of women in the job market and the feminization of poverty. This is not just a phrase, it is also a thank you to all the people we meet on our journey and who in some way touch us, teach us, listen to us, inspire us, move us, transform us. And does anyone remain unharmed and equal when sharing the road with someone?
By purchasing your “ We grew up crossing our stories. ” you are automatically helping Casa Cruzando Histórias, a space for digital inclusion, care and development for women without work or income, in the Center of São Paulo, which receives part of the profit from sales.
Want to know more about the project? Check out the interview we did with CH’s executive director and founder, Bia Diniz.
Peita - How and when did the idea of creating Cruzando Histórias come about?
Bia Diniz - "I've been unemployed for 7 months. I pay rent, I have 3 children, four months late. I'm being evicted. I have R$2 to make photocopies, and I have R$0.20 at home. And it's like this, one helps here and another helps there. When I have money to look for a job, I look for it, when I don't, I stay at home."
Five years ago, Sueli got me off the couch while I was watching Jornal Nacional and transformed my life. I was an unmotivated HR analyst who was unhappy in her public job, but I was also a woman, a mother looking for new challenges. I wanted to feel alive, and Sueli's cries made me feel that way.
I spent the night of the 31st searching social media for this face, and the next day I bothered the Globo operators trying to find her. I couldn't find her. So I went to the street where the story was filmed and went into all the employment agencies, looking for a lead.
That's how unemployment was born in me. In three days I started Crossing Stories, and I haven't stopped since.
After planning, what were the first steps to get Cruzando Histórias up and running?
Cruzando Histórias began to happen before becoming an NGO, when I went to the streets with a backpack on my back and a chalkboard with the words “Are you unemployed?” written on it, looking for other unemployed women and mothers, with the desire to take their stories out of invisibility.
On February 3, 2017, Cruzando Histórias was born, initially on social media. The stories went viral, and I started receiving offers of help, job openings, and people wanting to volunteer and donate. In three months, 45 people had found new jobs with Cruzando's support. By listening to the stories, I began to understand what could be done, and so I started the CV Workshop with a volunteer, CH's first concrete action.
I also found myself in a career transition, leaving the HR department of a public company to become a social entrepreneur. So the first year was full of studying and experiences. In 2018, I got legal support to formalize Cruzando Histórias, and thus we became a non-profit civil society organization.
What services does Cruzando Histórias offer?
For unemployed women, Cruzando Histórias offers care, development and inclusion through courses, workshops, lectures, mentoring, brief psychotherapy, curation and dissemination of vacancies and opportunities. All of this is done through partnerships with companies. Among the main programs: CH offers an employability journey with Impulsione Sua Carreira, which prepares women for selection processes, and psychological support and mental health care in projects such as EscutAção, which has its own methodology.
At Casa CH, the headquarters of Cruzando Histórias in downtown São Paulo, there is a space for digital inclusion and learning for women, through access to computers, internet and assisted support.
Cruzando Histórias also works with the corporate public, through volunteer projects, lectures and consultancy on the topics of gender equality, communication, motivation, combating harassment, among others that make up the gender agenda, in Diversity & Inclusion.
How many women have already participated in the project? What is their age range, color/race, marital status and how many children do they have on average?
Around 8,000 women have already benefited directly from Cruzando Histórias' projects and actions. The profile of the women served: average age of 36; 92% are unemployed and have no income; 51% identify as black or mixed race; 65% are from the state of São Paulo; 73% are in classes D and E; 52% are mothers; 72% have higher education or postgraduate degrees; 49.1% are single.
In addition to training and welcoming women, does CH also provide training within companies? How is this done?
Corporate volunteering is seen as a key to social transformation, as it mobilizes companies' internal audiences in favor of women's causes. It is a meeting point between those who are outside the market and those who are inside. Training is offered using the Cruzando Histórias methodology, which consists of non-violent communication, empathetic listening, and support and guidance for women who are victims of violence. Once qualified, volunteers offer individual or group mentoring on career and life project topics.
Cruzando Histórias also offers training, lectures and consultancy services that, in addition to enabling the development of skills, mobilize people for the cause of employability and female inclusion in the job market.
We know that white cis women earn up to 25% less than white cis men, and when we talk about black women, this difference can reach 42%. Last year, an even more alarming study by Insper came out, which showed a salary gap of up to 159% between white men and black women. We are minorities in leadership positions, even though we are part of the majority of the population. What is the work of inserting women into the job market and not corroborating the exploitation of female labor? How do you ensure that they are not taking on positions for less? How do you guarantee the labor rights of these women who are being inserted into the job market?
We work with women on self-knowledge and self-responsibility as pillars for their empowerment. Once aware of their values and personal and professional goals, these women are guided to seek and find opportunities that are consistent with their expectations, rights and needs.
On the other hand, with partners, Cruzando Histórias maintains an ethical and social commitment to doing business with companies that are aligned with the cause, open to dialogue and changes so that they promote a healthy, safe and prosperous environment for the women they include.
Unfortunately, there are no guarantees, but a social relationship of trust and mutual responsibility. We are vigilant about the movements and always open to listening, learning and evolving with our clients and partners.
The social problem is enormous, and we understand that in order to make progress, it is necessary to share knowledge, strengthen agendas involving gender, private investments and public policies. Our position is to question, propose dialogue, empower women and facilitate connections between stakeholders.
How can women apply to be welcomed by the project? Is there any selection criteria or number of people per period?
We open applications by project, so it is important that interested people follow our social media and website to find out when vacancies are available. The number of vacancies also varies by project.
Women are prioritized in the selection process according to the following criteria: income, race, sexual orientation and motherhood.
In person: At our headquarters, Casa CH (Rua Barão de Itapetininga, 255, 6th floor, room 605 - República, São Paulo - SP), women have access to free internet, computers, support for writing resumes and free workshops. Service open to the public from Monday to Wednesday from 10 am to 1 pm. Events calendar: https://www.cruzandohistorias.org/agenda
Virtual: We have a free, recorded online course to prepare for selection processes that can be taken at any time. Sign up here: https://www.cruzandohistorias.org/impulsione-carreira
Interested women can also join our WhatsApp groups and subscribe to our newsletter. We publish job openings, opportunities, courses and free events weekly via WhatsApp and biweekly via email. Links available at the bottom of the website: https://www.cruzandohistorias.org/
When and where will the next actions be?
We have free events aimed at women seeking new jobs every week at Casa CH. Check the schedule: https://www.cruzandohistorias.org/agenda
Upcoming events: Discussion on labor rights; Training to work at events with Sympla; Social benefits for people with low or no income and ELA PODE Training - Leadership, Sales and Relationship with money.
The next Boost Your Career program will be in partnership with Ambev for women in Rio de Janeiro. Interested parties can register here: https://cruzandohistorias.org/ambev
How can a company support the project?
Hiring one of our women (we have profiles registered in our talent showcase: https://www.cruzandohistorias.org/vitrine-de-talentos)
Bringing a lecture or consultancy from our experts to your company: https://www.cruzandohistorias.org/palestras-para-empresas
Advertise your vacancies with us: https://www.cruzandohistorias.org/divulgar-vaga-emprego
Renting our space: https://www.spotz.co/space/t7DrayoPcx?utm_source=cruzandohistorias&utm_medium=menu_paraempresas
Becoming a sponsor of Casa CH or making a donation. For a conversation, please leave your contact details at parceria@cruzandohistorias.com.br or via WhatsApp (11) 91013-3337
What does the phrase We grow by crossing our stories mean to you?
When I wrote to Peita seeking a partnership, I felt that they would have the strength and courage to amplify the voice of Cruzando Histórias. I have three Peitas, and I feel that they are a human and coherent cry for space, for respect.
This phrase emerged after a long conversation with Peita about our history, values and work done. The process of meeting was beautiful, and there were no doubts. When the phrase emerged, it was unique, we just stopped and admired it. It was her.
We grow by crossing our stories, it's about how much stronger we become together. Welcoming each other, supporting each other, praising each other.
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Bia Diniz is Rafa's mother. Passionate about people and communities, she sees others as a path to follow. On the streets, with a chalkboard that reads "Unemployed? Talk to me", she met people, found a new sense of purpose and started the Cruzando Histórias movement, today a CSO that listens to, welcomes and supports people who are unemployed.
The project scales empathetic listening and we are transforming the workability of thousands of Brazilian women.
