# The Aruna Project

> The Aruna Project is a Cincinnati-based nonprofit athleisure brand that creates lifelong freedom for survivors of sex trafficking through employment supported by holistic care. Founded in 2014 by Ryan and April Berg after time spent in Mumbai's red-light districts, Aruna employs survivor artisans in India and the US to craft premium bags, totes, and hair accessories - with 100% of sales revenue reinvested into freeing, employing, and empowering women. Its 'Freedom Business' model reports an 86% sustained freedom rate versus a 23% industry standard, and its national Aruna Run 5K series mobilizes thousands of runners to 'Run for Her Freedom.'

- **Founded:** 2014
- **Headquarters:** Cincinnati, United States
- **Founders:** Ryan Berg (Co-Founder & CEO), April Berg (Co-Founder)
- **Team size:** 14 employees at Cincinnati HQ, plus survivor artisans employed in Mumbai and the US
- **Products:** Survivor-made bags, Hair accessories, Aruna Run Series, Freedom Business employment, Collaborations
- **Notable:** 86% sustained freedom rate versus a 23% traditional anti-trafficking success rate - a 3.5x higher likelihood of lifelong freedom, 200+ women transitioned into career employment, 700+ family members no longer at risk due to economic stability

## Products & services

- **Survivor-made bags** — Premium athleisure backpacks, crossbody bags, shoulder bags, totes, yoga bags, duffels, belt bags, wristlets, and laptop sleeves handcrafted by survivor artisans; each liner is printed with the names of freed women.
- **Hair accessories** — Headbands and hair accessories in multiple styles, survivor-made from sustainable materials.
- **Aruna Run Series** — A national network of 5K/10K 'Run for Her Freedom' races where participants run for a specific exploited woman by name; 100% of registration fees and donations fund freedom work.
- **Freedom Business employment** — Full-time employment for freed women in Mumbai and Cincinnati with living wages, transitional housing, healthcare, retirement savings, and trauma counseling.
- **Collaborations** — Co-branded product drops such as the Cincy Hat x Aruna collab collection.

## Achievements

- 86% sustained freedom rate versus a 23% traditional anti-trafficking success rate - a 3.5x higher likelihood of lifelong freedom
- 200+ women transitioned into career employment
- 700+ family members no longer at risk due to economic stability
- 10,200+ individuals received direct care through outreach centers
- Over 160 women freed and employed between India and the US Tri-State area
- Built a national Aruna Run 5K series mobilizing thousands of runners, including a world-record relay attempt to raise awareness
- Operating a Freedom Business in Mumbai since 2015 and a survivor-employing US production team in Cincinnati

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — 2026 Aruna Run series announced, including races in Akron and Dalton with 100% of fees funding freedom work.
- **2025-04** — National CNN-syndicated coverage of the Bergs' athleisure brand and nonprofit model helping trafficking survivors.
- **2025-03** — Ongoing product drops and giveaways on Instagram, including the Ashley tote and Cincy Hat x Aruna collab.

## Links

- Website: https://arunaproject.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-aruna-project
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/arunaproject
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arunaproject
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arunaproject/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arunaproject/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/the-aruna-project
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-02