GEMS FOR GEMS: Empowering Survivors of Domestic Abuse

This week I sit down with Jordan Guildford and Dave Sweet."Gems for Gems is committed to ending the cycle of domestic abuse by focusing on the economic recovery and empowerment of survivors.Our Scholarship Program, HOPE’S CRADLE, Ambassador Program and more, are solution-focused and provide high, transformational impact to survivors of abuse."www.gemsforgems.cominstagram: gemsforgemscanada hopescradlecanadafacebook: Gems for GemsHopes Cradle CanadaJordan Guildford: jordanguildford.comfb: Jordan Guildford Consultinginsta: jordanguildfordDave Sweet:www.unconventionalclassroom.cainsta: unconventionalclassroom.cayoutube TheUnconventionalClassroom  Jordan Guildford, originally from a small town in Nova Scotia, moved to Calgary in 2014 and soon after initiated a successful Jewelry Drive to provide Christmas gifts to survivors of domestic abuse. This initiative led her to observe a critical need in the community: while people wanted to help survivors, they also wanted to make an impact using their own skills and time, especially amidst the challenges posed by a recession. This realization inspired her to createGems for Gems, a national charity aimed at ending domestic abuse through collaboration with the public.Since its inception, Gems for Gems has made significant strides. The organization has gifted over 28,000 Christmas presents to survivors across Canada, supported thousands of survivors by providing essential skills such as financial literacy, self-defense, resilience, and psychological coping mechanisms, and built a scholarship program to help survivors rebuild their lives. Additionally, theGems for Gems Ambassador Program has grown across Canada and the U.S., attracting both celebrity ambassadors and passionate individuals dedicated to the cause.One of the charity’s most recent initiatives isHope’s Cradle, a safe surrender location for mothers who feel they have no other choice but to leave their babies in order to ensure their safety. Gems for Gems continues to expand nationally, with ongoing efforts to ensure even greater reach.In 2023, Jordan Guildford Consulting was founded to assist entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and organizations. The consulting service has supported over 30 startups and aspiring nonprofits. Jordan’s focus on humility, kindness, and teamwork underpins every project she pursues. She believes in the power of collective action, stating, “Everyone can be a meaningful part of change by uniting and understanding we are always stronger together.”Dave Sweet, a key figure at Gems for Gems since 2019, serves as the chairperson of the board. He brings a wealth of expertise from his 25-year career in Canadian policing, which includes high-profile roles in undercover operations and homicide investigations. Dave spent 14.5 years in the homicide unit, solving some of Canada’s most notorious cases. His investigative work has been featured in documentaries and TV series, such as CBC'sThe Detectives and Netflix’sUnsolved Mysteries.Dave has also ventured into authorship, co-writingSkeletons in My Closet – 101 Lessons from a Homicide Detective (2nd Edition, 2024) andUndaunted (2024), the latter of which highlights stories of courage. His career has earned him numerous accolades, including theChief's Award for Investigative Excellence (2017) and theGovernor General’s Exemplary Service Medal (2021). In 2022, Dave received theQueen's Platinum Jubilee Medal for his work in establishingHope’s Cradle, Southern Alberta’s first safe surrender site for unwanted infants.Dave retired from policing in 2023 and foundedThe Unconventional Classroom, an investigation and training agency aimed at offering new perspectives on traditional investigation techniques. Throughout his career, Dave has remained committed to the principle of “love people,” which guides his current endeavors in life and business.