Eastside

Backyard Academy

2010-10-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

GET TRAINED AS A MODERN-DAY ABOLITIONIST!

Happening in cities across the U.S. and abroad, the Backyard Academy is an exciting 3-day crash course into the modern-day Abolitionist Movement.

Join fellow Abolitionists in the moving main-stage plenaries, and then choose a specific track of break-out sessions that aligns with your unique interests. You'll earn a Certificate of Completion, and leave educated, informed, and inspired to take action!

Don't miss this first-of-its-kind opportunity to get equipped in the modern-day Abolitionist movement.

JOIN US SOON IN A BACKYARD NEAR YOU!

1) Colorado Springs, CO
November 29 - December 1, 2010
8:00AM - 5:00PM each day (optional evening events)
Registration cost: $99/person (not including housing or food)
NFS partner: Youth With A Mission (YWAM)
For more information, CLICK HERE

2) Redmond, WA (near Seattle)
January 17 - 19, 2011
8:00AM - 5:00PM. each day (optional evening events)
NFS partner: Overlake Christian Church
For more information, CLICK HERE

3) San Diego, CA/Tijuana, MX
February 7 - 9, 2011
8:00AM - 5:00PM each day (optional evening events)
NFS partner: Youth With a Mission (YWAM)
For more information, CLICK HERE

For more info visit www.nfsacademy.org
or email The Academy (theacademy@notforsalecampaign.org).

Webinar Opportunity

2010-10-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

Abolition Classroom is an effort to make timely and critical information, lectures, and trainings on anti-trafficking more available/accessible via the web. Using user-friendly web conferencing software, we are organizing a series of events which cover an array of topics. Some of the web-events will be fee based and others will be free.

Our first event is on Friday, Nov 19th, titled "A Model for Healing: A Survivor's Story, Healing Strategies and Next Steps" from 10-12pm PST. Our friend and supporter, Minh Dang will conduct the session online. There is a $10 fee for the talk and you can register to attend/learn more here: http://abolitionclassroom.eventbrite.com/

I hope that you will attend as well as share this with your friends, family, colleagues and networks. There are easy Facebook, twitter and other network sharing buttons on the site. We hope to "see" you there!

Best wishes,

Aashika

Documentary: Sexual Exploitation in the United States

2010-09-20T14:29:00.001-07:00

Viewing of the new, critically acclaimed "The Playground"

Tuesday, October 5th
6pm-9pm (Movie actually begins at 6:45pm)
19010 1st Ave. South Burien, WA 98148
$12 per person

EWOP is getting a group together to go and view this movie about the sexual exploitation of young girls throughout the US. Follow this link below and buy your ticket.

Click on the Trailer Link if you would like to watch a preview of the movie. (This has some mature content so please watch who you are viewing this with.)

BUY YOUR TICKETS: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/122618

WATCH TRAILER

Cup of Compassion

2010-09-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

"Cup of Compassion" - Pouring Out Hope Regarding Modern Day Slavery

Where: Cascade Community Church
14377 Fryelands Blvd SE Monroe, WA 98272 Driving Directions
When: Friday October 8, 2010 from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

Greetings! You are invited to an evening of fresh brewed fair trade coffees and chocolates! Enjoy these treats in a music-filled setting while you are informed regarding the issue of human trafficking.

*MEN, WOMEN, FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS WELCOME!(not suitable for young children to attend)
*BRING YOUR OWN COFFEE MUG
*SELECT VENDORS SUPPORTING THIS CAUSE WILL BE SELLING THEIR ITEMS

Please click on the link below for specific event information and to register. There is no set fee for this event, however, we ask that you make a donation at the door.

Click on the link below to register or get more information!
Get more information
Register Now!

We would love to see you at this relaxing, informative, and hope-filled evening!
Sincerely,

Carrie Gendron
Cascade Community Church Women's Ministry

Get Involved Locally TODAY!

2010-09-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

People often ask how our group has been involved locally. I believe that one of the BEST ways to help is to start participating on a government level. We had a small group of women travel to meet with their state's representatives last year, and it has PAID OFF! They shared their stories, their hearts, and their passions and helped convince people that the following bill was WORTH supporting. Many thanks to the women from EWOP that took the time to share their passion!

YOU CAN STILL HELP!! Please take this chance to GET INVOLVED!
Please take a second to read the email below and call your SENATOR!

THIS MONDAY, September 20th is the Child Protection Compact Act National Call-in Day, so please mark it on your calendar to call your Senators to ask them to vote YES on the CPCA once it reaches the floor!

Visit the call-in day site for a sample script and video to make this call super easy: http://www.ijm.org/nationalcallinday. Simply read from the sample script and let your voice be heard. (It's not hard and they won't ask you a ton of questions.) :) It IS making a difference!

Dear Friends,
I’m writing with an exciting update! Next Tuesday, September 21, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) is scheduled to “mark-up” the Child Protection Compact Act! [Check it out! http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=d6d099c6-5056-a032-524a-7a0dc2d7f130 You can watch the hearing live at 2:15 EST at: http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=d6d099c6-5056-a032-524a-7a0dc2d7f130.] This is the Committee’s chance to make amendments to the bill and pass it out of committee. Once the CPCA is passed out of the SFRC, it can go to the Senate floor for a vote.

This is very exciting! And it would not have happened without all of your work to make this issue a priority for your Representatives and Senators. More than 1,000 of you have attended meetings with Congressional offices, and we can’t thank you enough—for all the lobby meetings, the calls you’ve made, and the postcards you’ve collected. Your efforts are making a difference!

But we’re not done yet! Here’s what still needs to happen: The SFRC needs to pass the bill out of committee on 9/21 so the full Senate can vote on it.
September 20th is the Child Protection Compact Act National Call-in Day, so please mark it on your calendar to call your Senators to ask them to vote YES on the CPCA once it reaches the floor! Visit the call-in day site for a sample script and video to make this call super easy: http://www.ijm.org/nationalcallinday

On the House side, one of two things needs to happen. The House can either pass their version of the CPCA out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC)so the full House can vote on the bill, OR once the CPCA passes in the Senate, the House can choose to take up the Senate version of the bill and simply vote on that one instead. The latter option is certainly the easier and faster option, especially with the Senate moving quickly on the bill. The next HFAC hearing is scheduled for September 30, but the CPCA is not yet officially on the agenda. Things are moving quickly, so we’ll keep you updated on the House process and any other important developments.

Thank you again for all of your hard work and support!!

Gratefully,
Eileen

Eileen Campbell, Director of Justice Campaigns
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION®
www.ijm.org 703.465.5495

A Toast Against Trafficking

2010-09-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

A Toast Against Trafficking
Saturday, October 2nd * 6:30 PM
Hollywood Schoolhouse, Woodinville

You are invited to join the OCC Business Team in raising awareness and resources to launch the Business Training Center working with our Outreach Center to complete the support of girls and guys rescued out of sex slavery and into an empowered path of healing, recovery and alternative sustainable employment. Enjoy great wines from Woodinville Wineries, music, mingling, and opportunities to hear about opportunities to impact this cause. $25 per individual/ $40 per couple. Tickets available online at globalbreakthrough.net

Engendering Hope

2010-08-31T11:31:00.001-07:00

An eye-opening, engaging event to bring hope to vulnerable women and girls around the world. They are vulnerable to exploitation, wasted potential and human trafficking. Hear God's heart for them and grow your vision for how to help.

Featuring: David Eller, World Concern President; Meredith Long, International Program Director; and leaders of our work in Africa, Asia, and Haiti.
● Keynote sessions
● Interactive Bible study
● Q&A with international panel
● Breakout workshops and hands-on sessions
● Simulation game about living in poverty
● Sri Lanka War Children exhibit
● Time to mingle, confer, pray, and worship
together. Prayer breakfast and lunch included
● Free-will offering will be taken to bless women
around the world.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

CRISTA Ministries/World Concern Campus
19303 Fremont Avenue North
Seattle, Washington
8am: Prayer Breakfast
9am-5pm: Conference

$25 person ($15 per student)
Register before September 6th and receive the $5 off Early-bird discount

Registration packets available soon.
For more info, call (206) 546-7396 or go to www.worldconcern.org/wofp2010conference

Local Opportunity to Make an Impact

2010-07-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

For more information, please visit: www.the-genesis-project.org

In the News

2010-06-30T22:08:00.001-07:00

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/414549_westside22.html

Call and Response

2010-06-30T21:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Freedom Fighter,

I know we have not spoken in a while. My bad. It’s not for lack of interest. The last six months have been incredibly busy, and transformative, for Call+Response. The C+R team has been working very hard on our next season of activism, and we’re excited to share it with you.
For the past six months we have been designing the launch of our DVD Screening Kits. If all we cared about was our film and not the impact it can have, we would have released the DVD a long time ago. But this film has always been about the audience, the community, the people….the RESPONSE. It was made to be a tool for the movement, and this tool is about to be placed in your hands.

You have accomplished so much already. Because of you, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been sent to front-line projects and aid groups. Because of you over 50 major companies have signed up on our Chain Store Reaction Corporate Survey. Because of you tens of millions of people on several continents have been exposed to the issue through screenings and media, and all have been given the opportunity to respond.

I have personally met hundreds of people who have seen the film, became inspired and developed their own innovative responses. I am humbled by what I have seen, and excited for what’s to come. In short, WE ARE NOT DONE.

Within a month we will be handing the film off to you. Yes, you. This not a standard DVD release. This is not a popcorn and chardonnay flick. This is a film you SHOW, not just watch. This is a film you USE. Screen the film in your home, your office, dorm room, tree house...anywhere you can get your friends and family together. This is your opportunity to use this film as tool to aware/inspire/activate your community. This is how we make a movement.

In a few weeks we will share more exciting news about our efforts, such as our new re-tooled activist website and iPhone app (launching any day now…nothing like it out there), our partnership with MTV in Australia on a Call+Response campaign (they are currently running spots from the film every hour on their network), and a UK tour of the film. There will be heaps of new tools and new ideas to assist in the fight against slavery, so stay tuned!

I truly hope we can continue our journey with you. If you would rather not hear from us, please unsubscribe below and we won’t contact you again. But I bet you would wonder, “What am I missing out on?” We have so many ways to work together and so much still to do. Please help us leverage our freedom for the freedom of others.

In the News: Portland

2010-06-30T20:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-rather/pornland-oregon-child-pro_b_580035.html?ref=fb&src=sp

Defend and Empower

2010-06-16T21:44:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for another way to GET INVOLVED in the fight against Human Trafficking? Get a group together and be a part of this fun event!

June 19th
The Last Supper Club
Pioneer Square Seattle

Come hang out at one of Seattle's premier night clubs for a benefit to fight Human Trafficking THIS Saturday!

* Perfect evening out with the girls or date night for you and someone special!
* Limited early-price tickets on sale now for a $25 donation.
* Night includes free Mexican buffet until 9:30, club admission, cheap drinks all night long ($2 domestic beers and $3 mixed well), and three floors of dance, decks and fun!

All proceeds benefit the Defend and Empower project. Save your spot before it's too late: http://www.defendandempower.org/
(Donations processed through the nonprofit organization, UntilThen.)

Next Meeting!

2010-06-16T21:36:00.000-07:00

Make sure to be there for our next
Eastside Women of Purpose Meeting
(We will be hanging out, asking questions, enjoying each other's company and getting plugged in!)

JOIN US ON TUESDAY, JUNE 22nd at 7:30pm
at Urban Coffee Lounge in Juanita Village(Click on the link for directions.)

*Feel free to bring a friend and come prepared with any questions you may have about our group!*

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Child Prostitution Crackdown

2010-06-16T21:31:00.000-07:00

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012074178_sextraffic10m.html

Girls Night Out for a Purpose!

2010-05-23T19:15:00.000-07:00

I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT AN EVENT TO BENEFIT HUMAN TRAFFICKING

THAT IS RIDICULOUSLY FUN AND VERY UNIQUE

(and playing host to a Freedom Stones Jewelry Table)

WE OFTEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND TRAINING EVENTS, BUT NOT AN EVENT THAT PAIRS A FUN

GIRLS NIGHT OUT WITH RAISING AWARENESS AND EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

Have you been trying to get your friends to an event to support Human Trafficking and failed miserably? This might be a great opportunity to get them involved.

EVENT DETAILS

SATC2: Girls Night Out for a Purpose
Downtown Bellevue
Thursday, May 27

$55 per person

Join us for the ultimate girls night out in downtown Bellevue! Lindeman Weddings & Events is hosting a SATC2 Premiere Party and Private Showing. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to help aid in the fight against human trafficking and forced prostitution.

Ticket Price Includes:

Private SATC2 Premiere Party at Pearl Bar & Dining in Bellevue
Nibbles and 1 Drink Ticket for a Signature Cocktail
SWAG BAG for every guest including giveaways from David Barton Gym, Nordstrom and Seven Salon to name a few!
Photobooth will be onsite at Pearl Restaurant
Admission to our Private Showing of SATC2 at Lincoln Square Cinemas
Additional surprises throughout the night!

The Festivities Begin at Pearl Bar and Dining:
7:00pm
Private Showing of SATC2 @ Lincoln Square Cinemas to Follow

$55 per person (with all proceeds going to the fight against human trafficking)

There will be a raffle held at our private party where you can purchase tickets onsite. We have some incredible raffle prizes, including a pair of Manolo Blahniks that we are giving away! All raffle ticket proceeds will go to charity.

Catch the latest SATC2 buzz on Facebook! We will be sharing more info about the cause we are fighting for as well as showcasing all of our fabulous sponsors and raffle donations!

For more info or if you are local business who would like to donate to our raffle, please contact: events@lindemanweddings.com

Need a Room? The Bellevue Westin is offering discounted room rates for this event! To reserve your room please click here!

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PURCHASING TICKETS?
Click THIS LINK and it will direct you to the ticketing page. Space is limited so act fast!

Using Art and Design to Create Change

2010-05-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Please visit the following website to learn more about an art and design event that demonstrates how those fields are being used by students to bring about change. Public service announcements regarding the fight against human trafficking will be revealed at the event.

http://www.calderaarts.org/#/page_id=11&article=267/

News From IJM

2010-05-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

Breaking News Update

Location: Kolkata, India

Date: Monday, May 3, 2010

Result: Three perpetrators sentenced for trafficking young girls

After years of IJM Kolkata's relentless advocacy, two men and one woman were sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking young girls for sex, following their convictions for the crime on Friday, April 30.

The perpetrators were arrested in 2007 after attempting to sell three girls, ages 12, 14 and 16, to IJM undercover investigators. Convictions and sentences for sex trafficking have been rare in Kolkata — but because of the commitment of IJM supporters and frontline staff, and the partnership of the local government, change is coming to the city.

The three survivors abused by these perpetrators bravely took the stand during the court case and are each now healing in loving aftercare homes. "Not only does the conviction of these perpetrators bring justice to the lives of their victims but it brings protection to the many more girls they will be unable to abuse because they have faced just consequences," explains IJM Director of Operations for South Asia Blair Burns.

Thank you for joining with IJM to seek justice and combat violent oppression. This is just one example of the victories made possible by this movement of friends, advocates and supporters around the world.

Gratefully,

Laurie Hayes

Director of Development

P.S. Visit IJM.org to learn about other recent convictions and rescues.

Poetry, Men, and the Fight Against Human Trafficking

2010-04-28T15:49:00.000-07:00

Please take the time to watch this video and encourage the men in your life to do the same. The young man in the video presents an insightful perspective on the role of men in the fight against human trafficking.

http://www.youtube.com/user/CATWInternational

Conference Opportunity

2010-04-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

Find Your Voice...Break the Chain

Women of Vision in South Puget Sound announces that registration is now open for a very important conference on issues of Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery. This is a day-long conference including key notepresentations, breakout sessions, and information booths. The goal of the conference is to learn about these critical issues, both in our local area and internationally, and find out what we can do to make a difference. WV partner church Chapel Hill Presbyterian in Gig Harbor has generously offered their facility and support for the planning and execution of the conference. This conference is open to all adults, college & senior high students, both men and women. Church groups with a focus on countries significantly impacted by these issues will want to attend. College groups motivated to advocate in these areas will want to take part. Groups investing in microfinance will find these discussions very meaningful, as evidence of how important their commitment is to microfinance projects. Please pray and believe with us that HUNDREDS will attend!

Saturday, June 5, 2010
Conference Website / Registration / Agenda / More Information http://www.wovsps.org/
Location: Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, Gig Harbor, WA
Cost: $40, including boxed lunch

Breakout sessions will be conducted by the following: Kelli Day and Kurt Rahn, World Vision ACT:S: Creative Activism Brad Stave, Vision Fund: Microfinance and Human Trafficking Chapel Hill Cambodia Team: Report from the Field Carmen Gronewald, Peace Rehabilitation: Combatting Human Trafficking with Prayer Linda Smith, Shared Hope International: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Rani Hong, Troni Foundation: Corporate Social Responsibility Mike Hogan, International Justice Mission: Church Mobilization

2010-04-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

From Stephenie:

It's that time of year again- Free Them 5K time! I would love to see you there on May 1 running, walking, or even crawling to help raise funds to put an end to modern day slavery! If you aren't able to be there then I would love to have your support as I spend the day helping to "run the show". Check out my very own fundraising page at
http://www.firstgiving.com/stephenieburke
or see details below for how to register to participate. Thank you all for your ongoing support in my mission to end human trafficking!

If you would like to join Stephenie, visit World Concern's site for more details and see below:

Three weeks until the "Free Them" 5K Fun Run/Walk. If you haven’t already signed up for the “Free Them” 5K, you stll have time! The run/walk May 1 at World Concern’s headquarters in Seattle will help protect children and prevent trafficking.

Hundreds of people will be participating, and it’s easy to set up a personal fundraising page with our new online service.

World Concern President David Eller will speak at the event to update you about how we’re caring for vulnerable women and children right now, and tell you about what’s next as we reach new communities.

The run/walk should be a lot of fun, with music, food and many like-minded people who also want to help women and children have safe futures. There will also be prizes for the top individual fundraiser and top team fundraiser.

Hope to see you there!
— The World Concern Staff

Garage Sale to Benefit Team Travelling to Thailand

2010-04-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

Attention Garage Sale Lovers!

A Bellevue Christian High School Thailand Missions Team needs your support! They will be holding two multi-family garage sales during the month of May to help raise funds for their trip to Breanna's House of Joy Orphanage in Thailand. Please go and check it out!

Lattes and delicious baked goodies will also be available for sale.

May 1 from 9am-3pm: Richey home: 1864 77th Ave. NE., Medina
May 8 from 9am-3pm: Mortier home: 8421 126th Pl. SE., Newcastle

Celebrate the Passing of the 6476 Senate Bill!!

2010-04-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

Major improvements related to crimes and provisions related to
Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking

Celebrate with us as Senate Bill 6476, introduced by Senators Stevens
and Hargrove, with major provision advancements in the fight against
the slavery of Washington State minors was signed by Governor Gregoire
on April 1st. Thanks to Shared Hope International for helping to
introduce the bill to our State to increase prosecution of
traffickers, significant increase in penalties for pimps & "johns",
and more defined services for trafficking survivors. Much more needs
to be done but this is just the beginning of more to come.

As important, huge thanks goes to all of you who attended the Human
Trafficking Engagement Day back in Olympia back on January 11th
because our presence at the Capitol and the packets delivered by
volunteers made a huge impact. Also, those made phone calls or sent
emails supporting this bill guaranteed unanimous vote for several anti-
trafficking bills. Thank you so much for your activism.

Please read the following so you would see how significant the changes
are related to this bill. The wordings are excerpts provided by Shared
Hope International.

Summary of SB 6476:

1. Provide Access to Specialized Services and Shelter. The bill
requires mandatory diversion for a first prostitution-related
"offense," irrespective of any criminal history. Importantly, the bill
helps fund the specialized staffing and services through a priority
use of the fines collected from buyers and pimps which are to be
deposited into the Prostitution Prevention and Intervention Account.

2. Close the Gap in Crime Victims' Compensation Eligibility. The bill
makes explicit that a person identified as a minor in an offense
regarding the Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor (CSAM) is considered
a victim for the purpose of receiving benefits under the Victim
Compensation Benefits Program, even if the minor is also charged with
prostitution.

3. Increase Penalties for Buyers. "Johns" now face a sentence of 21 -
144 months in jail instead of 1 - 68 months, and fines are increased
from $550 to $5,000 which will be deposited into the Prostitution
Prevention and Intervention Account.

4. Increase Penalties for Traffickers. Traffickers (pimps) now face 93
- 318 months in jail instead of 21 - 144 months; and are subject to a
new fine of $5,000 which will be deposited into the Prostitution
Prevention and Intervention Account.

5. Increase the Risks for Buyers and Traffickers. The bill requires
the impounding of vehicles used to commit commercial sex abuse of a
minor if owned or rented by the defendant and raises the fee to
release the car to $2,500 which will be deposited into the
Prostitution Prevention and Intervention Account.

6. No Age Defense Allowed for Buyer or Trafficker. The bill adds the
crime of buying sex with a minor to the crimes that do not allow a
defense that the defendant did not know the alleged victim's age. The
defendant can assert that a reasonable attempt was made to determine
the true age of the victim by checking a driver's license, marriage
license, birth certificate, or other identification card or paper and
did not rely solely on the minor's stated or apparent age.

7. Mandate Critical Training. Law enforcement is required to develop a
model policy on procedures relating to a victim of domestic minor sex
trafficking by December 1, 2010 and training on the model policy must
be developed by January 1, 2011.

Grateful for your partnership,

Rose Gundersen
On behalf of the SAS Legislative Advocacy Team

EWOP Represents Freedom Stones at Girl Power Hour - Eastside

2010-03-20T08:25:00.000-07:00

FREEDOM STONES at GIRL POWER HOUR - EASTSIDE
HELD AT WILLOWS LODGE IN WOODINVILLE

(Check out our lovely EWOP ladies, representing).

Ginger Neisz

Anna Schaufler, Ginger Neisz, Patti Orrico

THANK YOU GIRL POWER HOUR!!

Prayer Focus

2010-03-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

City in Focus: Belgrade, Serbia

Prayer Briefing

(Please be aware that the content of this post is only appropriate for adults and includes intense descriptions of how enslaved women are "broken" before being sold)

The new slave trade has a new middle passage. And in the middle of the new middle passage, somewhere between where a girl is first lured and where she will be sold for sex night after night, there is a new slave auction. Here is where the slave-trader meets slave-buyer and decide together the worth of their human cargo; the buyers then transport the women to a sex-market.
Belgrade is an infamous stop on the new middle passage. Thousands of women from Eastern Europe and Western ex-soviet states have stories that start when they are whisked away across the majestic Danube river and into the dark underworld of Belgrade to be traded to a slave buyer. But Belgrade is more than a trading post. Belgrade is the breaking grounds.

To get a woman to submit to sex slavery, slave traders must wear her down methodically and brutally. Her own sense of worth and dignity must be effaced beyond her own recognition. In Belgrade, trafficked women are kept for weeks in large apartments or houses where they are raped and tortured by slave traders. Slave traders know that their "product"must be convincing; buyers are not interested in women who are not submissive, who might try to escape, or who won't pretend like they enjoy having sex with as many as 20 clients a day. So the women must be trained to act like whores through repeated rapes, often in front of the rest of the girls. If they resist, they are further raped, beaten, or murdered.

Breaking grounds in cities like Belgrade embody the monstrous brutality without which the modern day slave trade would not survive. By the time a woman leaves the breaking grounds of Belgrade, on her way to exploitation in a brothel in Tel Aviv or a street corner in Dubai, she has been destroyed in every way. She feels polluted beyond cleansing after having been ravaged relentlessly for weeks; her terror is unconsolable after having watched her captors beat and even kill other girls; her fathomless humiliation is so comprehensive that going home to friends and family is no longer a desire. Her captors like her like this. And so do the Johns who will rent her one after another in the nights to come.

Scripture Focus:

Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. - Proverbs 31:8-9

Prayer Points
*Pray for massive revival to come to Belgrade.
*Pray that police forces would gain the necessary access to troubled areas.
*Pray that God would disrupt the new middle passage and redeem slaves and traffickers for His glory.

Information and call to prayer from Exodus Cry

A Local Incident

2010-03-13T10:02:00.000-08:00

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/416477_pimp10.html?source=rss

What is going on in Thailand today...

2010-03-06T14:06:00.000-08:00

The following is a facebook entry from an amazing woman I know currently serving in Thailand... (Please forgive her spelling.) :)

When for walk this morning & praying for this city,but then I saw two girls, one is lay on the floor cover with blood. nobody do anything about it, God compassion move me to talk & minister to her and praying for her. Thank YOU JESUS for lead me to hand YOUR love,hope for this girls..When I told her JESUS love her, she look at me and smile so beautiful.. Lord save her please.

Please pray for her,she know what I am talking about,she was full of blood on her face and nose and mouth when I was her face she not do anything, the I start praying on her ear and whispering to her that JESUS really care for her and JESUS really love her and suddenly her eyes open she sit up and give me the biggest smile and beautiful too.. GOD save her..

Why does Human Trafficking exist? Because people choose to walk by it. They choose to ignore it. People are NOT disposable. It is your DUTY to not sit by and watch this happen. Take action! Educate yourself! Get INVOLVED in the fight!!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

2010-03-02T18:30:00.000-08:00

"Knowing the facts and crisis of human trafficking and slavery will lead one to compassion, cry for justice, and action as a modern day abolitionist." ~ Anonymous

1) “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.” ~ Universal Declaration of Human Rights by UN National Assembly

U.S. State Dept.'s Trafficking in Persons reports says, "severe forms of trafficking in persons" defined as:

"(a) sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or (b) the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery."

2) Global human problem: 29 million+ slaves today (2009) – if this was a country it would be the 42nd most populated country in the world

Source: Kara, Siddharth, Sex Trafficking - Inside the Business of Modern Slavery. Columbia University Press

3) Up to 300,000 domestic minor sex trafficking victims are in the streets right now in the U.S.

Source: SharedHope International, The National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (2009)

4) Up to 800,000 victims annually trafficked across transnationally, 80% women & girls

Source: US Department of State

5) Human Trafficking is 2^nd Most Lucrative Criminal Industry in World at rate of $12-$60 billion dollars annually (#1 is drugs + #3 is weapons)

6) In U.S., up to 17,500 children and women are trafficked in to the U.S. annually

Source: US Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2006

7) Global health problem: 50-90% sex workers in South Asia and South Africa have HIV/AIDS

8) Multi-crimes are commmitted against victims of sex slavery:

Kidnap, physical abuse, threats, rape, gang rape, emotional trauma, sexual-labor exploitation, drugs, STDs, murder, etc.

9) Slavery is a horrendous part of the U.S. - both in its gruesome history of it being legal and the growing problem today of the U.S.

10) The hope is the U.S. ended slavery once and we can do it again. Help us end slavery once and for all and making giving support for a slave-free Seattle and taking it one city at a time and focus our efforts on:

(a) Victims rescue

(b) Perpetrator accountability

(d) Structural prevention (i.e. adequate laws + enforcement)

(e) Cultural transformation

Facts & Figures

29.2 million slaves today
64% bonded labor/debt bondage slaves
27% forced labor
9% trafficked slaves
$340 per slave is weighted avg. global sales price
800,000 people are trafficked transnationally with 80% women & girls and up to 50% are minors

Stats provided by www.seattleagainstslavery.org
Photo Courtesy of Carlee Avery

BASIC STATISTICS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

2010-03-01T09:29:00.000-08:00

Trafficking in persons is modern-day slavery, involving victims who are forced, defrauded or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation.

It is estimated that at least 27 million people are currently enslaved around the world; many have been enslaved through being trafficked.

Approximately 800,000 people annually are trafficked across national borders. Around 80 percent of these victims are women and girls and up to 50 percent are minors. The majority of females are trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation. (2007 Trafficking in Persons Report, U.S. State Department)

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) now believes that the number of children trafficked each year is around 1.2 million. (2006)

That's two children per minute trafficked for sexual exploitation/slavery.

45,000-50,000 persons are trafficked into the U.S. each year; 15,000 of them are children. (ECPAT-USA)

The U.N. and other experts estimate the total market value of illicit human trafficking at $32 billion. (UNODC)

These numbers make trafficking in persons the second most lucrative crime in the world, second only to the sale of drugs. (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2006).

About $28 billion of this is generated from commercial sexual exploitation. (International Labor Organization)

Learning From the Sin of Sodom

2010-02-28T16:24:00.000-08:00

NY Times

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

Published: February 27, 2010

For most of the last century, save-the-worlders were primarily Democrats and liberals. In contrast, many Republicans and religious conservatives denounced government aid programs, with Senator Jesse Helms calling them “money down a rat hole.”

Over the last decade, however, that divide has dissolved, in ways that many Americans haven’t noticed or appreciated. Evangelicals have become the new internationalists, pushing successfully for new American programs against AIDS and malaria, and doing superb work on issues from human trafficking in India to mass rape in Congo.

A pop quiz: What’s the largest U.S.-based international relief and development organization?

It’s not Save the Children, and it’s not CARE — both terrific secular organizations. Rather, it’s World Vision, a Seattle-based Christian organization (with strong evangelical roots) whose budget has roughly tripled over the last decade.

World Vision now has 40,000 staff members in nearly 100 countries. That’s more staff members than CARE, Save the Children and the worldwide operations of the United States Agency for International Development — combined.

A growing number of conservative Christians are explicitly and self-critically acknowledging that to be “pro-life” must mean more than opposing abortion. The head of World Vision in the United States, Richard Stearns, begins his fascinating book, “The Hole in Our Gospel,” with an account of a visit a decade ago to Uganda, where he met a 13-year-old AIDS orphan who was raising his younger brothers by himself.

“What sickened me most was this question: where was the Church?” he writes. “Where were the followers of Jesus Christ in the midst of perhaps the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time? Surely the Church should have been caring for these ‘orphans and widows in their distress.’ (James 1:27). Shouldn’t the pulpits across America have flamed with exhortations to rush to the front lines of compassion?

“How have we missed it so tragically, when even rock stars and Hollywood actors seem to understand?”

Mr. Stearns argues that evangelicals were often so focused on sexual morality and a personal relationship with God that they ignored the needy. He writes laceratingly about “a Church that had the wealth to build great sanctuaries but lacked the will to build schools, hospitals, and clinics.”

In one striking passage, Mr. Stearns quotes the prophet Ezekiel as saying that the great sin of the people of Sodom wasn’t so much that they were promiscuous or gay as that they were “arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” (Ezekiel 16:49.)

Hmm. Imagine if sodomy laws could be used to punish the stingy, unconcerned rich!

The American view of evangelicals is still shaped by preening television blowhards and hypocrites who seem obsessed with gays and fetuses. One study cited in the book found that even among churchgoers ages 16 to 29, the descriptions most associated with Christianity were “antihomosexual,” “judgmental,” “too involved in politics,” and “hypocritical.”

Some conservative Christians reinforced the worst view of themselves by inspiring Ugandan homophobes who backed a bill that would punish gays with life imprisonment or execution. Ditto for the Vatican, whose hostility to condoms contributes to the AIDS epidemic. But there’s more to the picture: I’ve also seen many Catholic nuns and priests heroically caring for AIDS patients — even quietly handing out condoms.

One of the most inspiring figures I’ve met while covering Congo’s brutal civil war is a determined Polish nun in the terrifying hinterland, feeding orphans, standing up to drunken soldiers and comforting survivors — all in a war zone. I came back and decided: I want to grow up and become a Polish nun.

Some Americans assume that religious groups offer aid to entice converts. That’s incorrect. Today, groups like World Vision ban the use of aid to lure anyone into a religious conversation.

Some liberals are pushing to end the longtime practice (it’s a myth that this started with President George W. Bush) of channeling American aid through faith-based organizations. That change would be a catastrophe. In Haiti, more than half of food distributions go through religious groups like World Vision that have indispensable networks on the ground. We mustn’t make Haitians the casualties in our cultural wars.

A root problem is a liberal snobbishness toward faith-based organizations. Those doing the sneering typically give away far less money than evangelicals. They’re also less likely to spend vacations volunteering at, say, a school or a clinic in Rwanda.

If secular liberals can give up some of their snootiness, and if evangelicals can retire some of their sanctimony, then we all might succeed together in making greater progress against common enemies of humanity, like illiteracy, human trafficking and maternal mortality.

EWOP Meeting!

2010-02-26T20:18:00.000-08:00

We have our next ALL-EWOP meeting on the books and YOU need to be there! We always have a ton of great information, ways to get involved, resources, and Freedom Stones Jewelry. There is a chance that we might have NEW *** Freedom Stones *** jewelry for the SPRING in our hands, too (keep your finger crossed).

As always, feel free to bring a friend. You DO NOT need to go to OCC to be in Eastside Women of Purpose.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Taking Down Trafficking Registration

2010-02-22T15:29:00.000-08:00

The Taking Down Trafficking site on the OCC web has been updated to have it’s own page!

http://www.occ.org/serve-the-world/human-trafficking/taking-down-trafficking-event-for-women/
(there is a “Register” button at the bottom that will link you to online registration)

If you want to direct people right to the Registration Page, here is the link:
http://www.occ.org/registration--taking-down-trafficking/

PLEASE share this with friends and post it on your facebook pages! It is going to be a great event, and we really want to pack it out!

Don't Miss Out on the FUN!!!

2010-02-22T09:50:00.000-08:00

The BAG O FUN, that is!!

I normally don't do personal plugs but this blog is all about justice and what is more about justice than adoption?!?!

Our good friends, Mike & Jodie Howerton (check out her blog HERE), just found out that they were approved to go and pick up their son in Africa! Their court date is in ONE MONTH!! They need help fundraising so our other good friends, the McQueen's (their blog) have put together a Bag O Fun to raffle on the behalf.

Here’s the Bag O’Fun:

Does it look like fun? Don’t be deceived- here is what’s inside:

PF Chang -$50 + Nordstrom - $50 + Itunes - $15 + Cold Stone- $15 + Jamba Juice- $15+ AMC Entertainment -$25+ Barnes & Noble - $25 =$175 OF FUN!!

Here’s how this will go:

Raffle tickets are 1 for $5, 3 for $10 or 8 for $20.

Go HERE to buy the raffle tickets. Leave a comment here about how many raffle tickets you purchased. And Thursday at 11pm (PST) we’ll randomly select a lucky raffle ticket and announce the winner on Friday morning!

Now go get your raffle ticket because it will be FUN and because soon a boy who has no one will be part of a very amazing family…forever!

Tee Off is Back!!

2010-02-15T08:42:00.000-08:00

Registration is UP and space is limited!
Visit www.TeeOffAgainstTrafficking.com

You can register to participate as a Golfer and
join us for a beautiful Luncheon and Silent & Live Auction
OR you can sign up to participate in our Luncheon and Auction Only.

Our location has changed this year and it is REALLY amazing. Check it out.
The Golf Club at Echo Falls

Get a group together or sign up on your own and help us
STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING!!

UNBOUND Conference

2010-02-12T14:45:00.000-08:00

April 16-17, 2010
University Presbyterian Church
Seattle, WA

On April 16-17, 2010, the 2nd annual UNBOUND conference will be hosted by Freedom Initiative, a team of university students in the Seattle area who have joined forces to combat human trafficking. This multifaceted and complex social issue demands an intricately strategic solution that can only be accomplished by the skillful collaboration of abilities, perspectives, and passions from a variety of individuals and organizations. Thus, by bringing together community-based organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals who are active in the fight against modern day slavery, the Freedom Initiative team aims to educate people on the issue of Human Trafficking, to empower individuals to develop a personal response to slavery, and to mobilize them to action in the fight against it.

For more information:
email info@freedominitiative.org
or visit http://www.freedominitiative.org/

Ignore No More Forum 2010

2010-02-10T16:41:00.000-08:00

Register Now! for the Zonta Club of Everett’s
Ignore No More Forum 2010: Economic Solutions to Slavery Today

Then, please share this information with your friends!

Date: February 27, 2010
Time: 8:00 am to Noon
Place: Everett Community College’s Parks Student Union

Online Registration: Go to http://ignorenomoreslaverytoday.eventbrite.com/
To register by mail: Go to http://ignorenomoreslaverytoday.eventbrite.com/
Click on “Show Other Payment Options” then “Pay Offline”

Learn More: Human Trafficking Statistics

2010-02-08T16:56:00.000-08:00

HUMAN TRAFFICKING STATISTICS

The following is a list of available statistics estimating the scope of Human Trafficking around the world. Actual statistics are often unavailable, and some may be contradictory due to the covert nature of the crime, the invisibility of victims and high levels of under-reporting. Further obstacles include inconsistent definitions, reluctance to share data, and a lack of funding for and standardization of data collection. Particularly lacking are estimates on the number of American citizens trafficked within the U.S.

Human Trafficking Worldwide

27 million – Number of people in modern-day slavery across the world.
Source: Kevin Bales of Free the Slaves.
-According to the U.S. Department of State’s 2007 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report), estimates vary from 4 to 27 million.
-The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates 2.4 million people were victims of human trafficking from 1995-2005. This estimate uses the UN Protocol definition of human trafficking, and includes both transnational and internal data.

800,000 – Number of people trafficked across international borders every year.
Source: U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007.
-Note:
The TIP Report in 2001 and 2002 estimated this figure at 700,000;
The TIP Report of 2003 reported 800,000 to 900,000 victims;
The TIP Reports of 2004 through 2006 reported 600,000 to 800,000 victims.

1 million – Number of children exploited by the global commercial sex trade, every year.
Source: U.S. Department of State, The Facts About Child Sex Tourism: 2005.

50% – Percent of transnational victims who are children.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Report to Congress from Attorney General John Ashcroft on U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons in Fiscal Year 2003: 2004.

80% – Percent of transnational victims who are women and girls.
Source: U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007.

70% – Percent of female victims who are trafficked into the commercial sex industry. This means that 30% of female victims are victims of forced labor.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Assessment of U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons: 2004.

161 – Countries identified as affected by human trafficking:

Source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Trafficking in Persons: Global Patterns: April 2006.
-127 countries of origin; 98 transit countries; 137 destination countries.
-Note: Countries may be counted multiple times and categories are not mutually exclusive.

32 billion – Total yearly profits generated by the human trafficking industry.

Source: ILO, A global alliance against forced labor: 2005.
-$15.5 billion is made in industrialized countries.
-$9.7 billion in Asia
-$13,000 per year generated on average by each "forced laborer." This number can be as high as $67,200 per victim per year.

Human Trafficking Statistics Polaris Project Polaris Project P.O. Box 77892, Washington, DC 20013 Tel: 202.745.1001 www.PolarisProject.org Info@PolarisProject.org © Copyright Polaris Project, 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Potential Trafficking Indicators

2010-02-05T08:13:00.000-08:00

IDENTIFYING VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING:

POTENTIAL INDICATORS & RED FLAGS

The following is a list of red flags to keep in mind that may indicate a potential situation of or a victim of human trafficking. Each indicator taken individually may not necessarily imply a trafficking situation. Furthermore, items on this list are not meant to be interpreted as present in all trafficking cases, neither is the list intended to be exhaustive. This list is intended to encompass transnational and domestic trafficking, as well as both sex and labor trafficking. Some indicators may be more strongly associated with one type of trafficking. Common Work and

Living Conditions: The Individual(s) in Question…
-Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
-Is under 18 years of age and is providing commercial sex acts
-Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp/manager
-Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
-Works excessively long and/or unusual hours
-Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work
-Owes a large and/or increasing debt and is unable to pay it off
-Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work
-Is living or working in a location with high security measures (e.g. opaque or boarded-up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.).

Poor Mental Health or Abnormal Behavior: The Individual(s) in Question…
-Exhibits unusually fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid behavior
-Reacts with unusually fearful or anxious behavior at any reference to "law enforcement"
-Avoids eye contact
-Exhibits a flat affect.

Poor Physical Health: The Individual(s) in Question…
-Presents with unexplained injuries or signs of prolonged/untreated illness or disease
-Appears malnourished
-Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture.

Lack of Control: The Individual(s) in Question…
-Has few or no personal possessions
-Is not in control of his/her own money, and/or has no financial records, or bank account
-Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (e.g. ID, passport, or visa)
-Is not allowed or able to speak for him/herself (e.g., a third party may insist on being present and/or interpreting)
-Has an attorney that he/she doesn’t seem to know or to have agreed to receive representation services from.

Other: The Individual(s) in Question…
-Has been "branded" by a trafficker (e.g. a tattoo of the trafficker’s name)
-Claims to be "just visiting" and is unable to clarify where he/she is staying or to provide an address
-Exhibits a lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or does not know what city he/she is in
-Exhibits a loss of sense of time
-Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story.

Potential Trafficking Indicators Polaris Project Polaris Project P.O. Box 77892, Washington, DC 20013 Tel: 202.745.1001 www.PolarisProject.org Info@PolarisProject.org © Copyright Polaris Project, 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Haiti Orphans Targeted by Child Traffickers

2010-01-30T12:47:00.000-08:00

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1953379_1953494_1957160,00.html?cnn=yes&hpt=T2?artId=1953379?contType=article?chn=specials

Women of Purpose Coffee and Tea: Opportunities to Learn More and Share Hope

2010-01-30T12:27:00.000-08:00

Eastside Women of Purpose (EWOP) is part of a larger Women of Purpose group with participants around the country. The world relief organization, World Concern, will be facilitating this great opportunity to hear stories from people working in the countries that WE have been trying to help. They will also be asking for donations but there is NO obligation. Read below for how to register for one or both of these great events!

Dear Women of Purpose and Friends,

We are excited to offer you two opportunities to hear inspiring, heart-touching stories from the front lines of World Concern’s ministry.

On Saturday, February 20th you can come to a scrumptious tea and hear Tracy Stover, our Chad Country Director, speak about what it’s like to bring help and hope to families who have fled the tragic crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan and Eastern Chad.

Then, on Saturday, February 27th you can cozy up to cups of coffee while Richard Johannessen and Ana Maria Clamor from our Asia Office in Bangkok share about fighting human trafficking in Southeast Asia.

You won’t want to miss these opportunities to hear what inspiring people are doing to make a difference, and how you can help them take hope farther.

For more details, click here to download a complete copy of the invitation. Advance registrations are required, as space is limited. You can register online at http://donate.worldconcern.org//page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.worldconcern.org%2fcoffee&srcid=21231&srctid=1&erid=580287 or http://donate.worldconcern.org//page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.worldconcern.org%2ftea&srcid=21231&srctid=1&erid=580287, or call (206) 546-7396 by February 10th (for the tea) or February 17th (for the coffee).

We hope to see you in February.

Sarah Leech
Women of Purpose Director

World Concern

19303 Fremont Ave N

Seattle, WA 98133

(206) 546-7396

Freedom Prayer Concert Planning Meeting

2010-01-28T11:30:00.000-08:00

An ecumenical gathering to pray for freedom of human trafficking victims, healing for survivors, more rescues, mass awareness, laws to to protect, provide & prevent slavery, spiritual bondage of perpetrators (i.e. pimps, slaveowners, johns), the Church to be mobilized, etc. leading to transformational change in our society and culture locally, nationally, and globally.

Moderating meeting: Markus von Steinfort & Alex Sum

Date: Thursday, February 4th
Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Location: Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center
1216 NE 65th Street
Seattle, WA 98115

Hope to see you guys at this meeting! Please RSVP to Markus: markus.vonsteinfort@mac.com

Taking Down Trafficking

2010-01-28T11:22:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendar for a great and fun event, Taking Down Trafficking, sponsored by Greater Gold Wrestling.

When: Sunday March 7 12:30 to 2:30
Where: In the Gym at OCC, 9900 Willows Road, Redmond

This women's self defense clinic not only will give you skills to help you survive an assault, but you'll be supporting a great cause in helping to end human trafficking through education, outreach, and advocacy. This is a fund-raiser for Eastside Women of Purpose who work closely with groups in Southeast Asia to help get women and children out of sex slavery and into safe housing along with job training skills.

For more info check out our website as details unfold or give me a call.
In His Grip,
Deborah
Deborah Robinson
Program Director
Greater Gold Wrestling
(425)343-3701 cell
Deborah@greatergold.com
www.greatergold.com

Thank you, Deborah, for using your unique gifts and abilities in the fight against human trafficking!

A New Documentary About Human Trafficking

2010-01-26T18:37:00.000-08:00

California Man Sold Daughter into Marriage

2010-01-26T18:28:00.000-08:00

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/13/daughter.for.sale/

Movie Night and Panel Discussion

2010-01-25T17:59:00.000-08:00

FREE EVENT
MOVIE NIGHT AND PANEL DISCUSSION

OPEN TO ALL

Join us THIS SATURDAY for a showing of

AT THE END OF SLAVERY

Produced by International Justice Mission
SATURDAY, JANUARY 30TH
7 - 9 PM
Overlake Christian Church, Small Auditorium

Following will be a panel discussion by representatives from Seattle based organizations and coalitions, including:
International Justice Mission
Seattle Against Slavery
Not for Sale
W.A.R.N.
Shared Hope International

Talk with speakers, learn about local efforts and hear about OCC's involvement in this initiative.
Childcare available. Please RSVP servetheworld@occ.org for number of children.

Share this Video

2010-01-25T12:09:00.001-08:00

Don't Be Blind

Presented by

Local Opportunity to Help Victims of Human Trafficking

2010-01-20T23:05:00.000-08:00

We have a great opportunity to put up flyers along the I-5 corridor by contacting gas stations for their permission to put up HELP flyers giving phone numbers as a resource for people being trafficked. With the 2010 Olympics starting in Canada in February we want to canvas the area as soon as possible so here are the details.

WHEN: January 30, 2010

WHERE: Meet at 9 a.m. up in back of Overlake Christian Church (Back Office Entrance) to carpool to South Seattle area

TIME REQUIREMENT : 3 hours including driving time

EXITS WE ARE COVERING: I-5 Corridor Exits 136-162 or more if we have time

MISSION: Encourage gas stations as service providers to the community to be informed of our concern for human trafficking and provide information that they can share with co-workers and get permission to post HELP flyers on their property or in bathroom stalls

QUESTIONS or to RSVP: Patti Orrico at momof5@arilion.com or Kara Hicks at KaraH@OCC.org

Thanks for wanting to SAVE A LIFE.

New Freedom Stones Website is UP!

2010-01-18T09:03:00.000-08:00

The Freedom Stones Website is UP and running! Check it out and make a donation today. You cannot yet purchase jewelry off of the site but if you are interested in purchasing a necklace or hosting a Home Party, email us at EastsideWOP@gmail.com.

www.freedomstones.ws

Thank You!

2010-01-18T08:23:00.000-08:00

Thank you for coming to Washington's inaugural HTE event in Olympia!

Many who've worked at the Capitol for years said they've never seen an event that well attended, in that room, with only 2 months preparation. I believe this is proof that the movement to stand against human trafficking in our state is spreading like wildfire amongst the grassroots community, not to mention increased awareness with state officials. There were nearly 150 people in attendance with standing room only and 41 out of the 49 legislative districts received "awareness packets" from event attendees. For many who attended, it was their first trip to an event at the Capitol; I commend you for standing up for what you believe and making the necessary sacrifices to get there. Let's keep up the momentum that HTE has set in motion!

The follow up for this event is JUST as important as attending. The following are ways to take action and continue to send the message to our state lawmakers that human trafficking is something you care about and would like them to care about too. Please participate in one or more of the following ways:
1. Contact your legislator and tell them you are deeply concerned about Human Trafficking in Washington State. Ask them to support Sen. Kohl-Welles' bill number 6330 which would permit human trafficking informational posters in rest areas. Visit www.leg.wa.gov to find your legislator--it's easy.
2. Stop human trafficking along I-5. Volunteer to hang posters at one or more gas stations along I-5. For instructions: http://seattleagainstslavery.org/campaigns.aspx
3. If you delivered legislative packets on Monday, please email info@washingtonhte.com and report your name and which district you were assigned so we can assign follow up.
4. Get your churches, civic groups, families and friends to participate and help us make grassroots activation effective.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your participation and on-going investment to end human trafficking. Unified we can make progress.
Very Sincerely,
Deana Berg
Event Organizer
Washington Human Trafficking Engagement Day
www.washingtonHTE.com www.SeattleAgainstSlavery.org

The Slave Trade in South Africa

2010-01-10T22:13:00.001-08:00

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1952335,00.html?artId=1952335?contType=article?chn=us

Greg Mortenson's Presentation for Seattle Public Libraries

2010-01-10T09:08:00.000-08:00

If you were not able to make it to SPU to hear the author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones Into Schools in December, here is a link to the recording of his speech. Some of you may be among those who arrived after all of the seating and standing room had been filled (a very rare occurrence at SPU/for SPL).

http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=collection_podcasts

If you are interested in reading either of Mortenson's books, both are sold on Amazon and Overstock.

Enjoy!

EWOP Meeting!

2010-01-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

ALL EWOP MEETING
(Interested in joining? We would love to meet you. All are welcome!)

THURSDAY, January 14th at 7pm at Overlake Christian Church
Lobby Classrooms 1&2
(the classroom next to the coffee cart - we will have plenty of signage)

We will be going through a number of exciting things:
*Brief explanation of the who, what, why, when of EWOP for all of our new members
*Update on all of our 2009 goals and whether we've met them
*Introduction to our next big (and exciting!) project
*Description of different ways to get involved in our group
*Freedom Stones update...and necklaces :)
*An update on all things "Tee Off Against Trafficking".

JANUARY 11!

2010-01-07T19:43:00.000-08:00

Dear Supporters,

President Obama signed a proclamation on January 4, 2010 declaring January as the "National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month." One of the major highlights this month is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day this Monday, January 11! Help Polaris Project use this day to spread awareness and create action in the fight against modern day slavery. On Monday we will send out news, information, and updates about the issue and Polaris Project's work through all of our social networking sites. Please help us spread the word about human trafficking to your own networks!

How You Can Get Involved:

North Star Blog: Make sure to read our blog about the importance and significance of Human Trafficking Awareness Day! You can share this blog posting on Facebook, tweeting on Twitter, and emailing friends and family.

Twitter: On January 11 Polaris Project will tweet facts and information about human trafficking every hour! Follow Polaris Project and re-tweet messages to make a bigger impact!

Facebook: Join us in changing your Facebook profile picture (to the one above) in solidarity against human trafficking. Talk about it online and get the buzz going that slavery still exists and that with everyone's help we can help bring it to an end! Make sure to check our status updates on Monday, January 11.

Change.org: Participate in the Human Trafficking Awareness Day Fundraising Project! Or, to personalize your efforts, start your own fundraising page!

Action Center: Check out the Action Center for all of the information regarding January 11 Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

We will also have a petition available that you can sign and pledge your commitment to help us end modern day slavery. Everyone who signs the petition automatically will be entered in a drawing to win a free gift: Polaris Project t-shirt, bumper sticker, or button! Winners will be announced on National Freedom Day (February 1) via email.

Mark your calendars for this upcoming campaign! As always we are truly grateful for your support.

Sincerely, Johanna Olivas: Program Associate, Public Outreach and Communications

WA Human Trafficking Engagement Day: January 11

2010-01-07T19:33:00.000-08:00

Are you interested in helping win the fight against human trafficking?

WE NEED YOU NEXT MONDAY, JANUARY 11th! This is an invitation to make the worth-while trip to Olympia on Monday to come to Washington State’s FIRST EVER Washington Human Trafficking Engagement Day! We have invited state legislators, state officials and many others working against human trafficking and we need YOU, the grass roots force expressing the need for more work to stop human trafficking in our state! Come and show your support and solidarity simply by attending this important and momentous event in our state.

WHEN: Monday January 11,2010
TIME:
Registration: 8:30-9:00 AM
Speakers: 9:00-10:00 AM
Advocacy: 10:00-11:00 AM
PLACE:
The Columbia Room in the Capitol Building, Olympia, WA
(http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Parking.aspx)

To RSVP and for more details, please visit: www.washingtonHTE.com

White House Press Release

2010-01-07T17:47:00.000-08:00

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
January 04, 2010

Presidential Proclamation - National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

A PROCLAMATION

The United States was founded on the principle that all people are born with an unalienable right to freedom -- an ideal that has driven the engine of American progress throughout our history. As a Nation, we have known moments of great darkness and greater light; and dim years of chattel slavery illuminated and brought to an end by President Lincoln's actions and a painful Civil War. Yet even today, the darkness and inhumanity of enslavement exists. Millions of people worldwide are held in compelled service, as well as thousands within the United States. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we acknowledge that forms of slavery still exist in the modern era, and we recommit ourselves to stopping the human traffickers who ply this horrific trade.

As we continue our fight to deliver on the promise of freedom, we commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective on January 1, 1863, and the 13th Amendment, which was sent to the States for ratification on February 1, 1865. Throughout the month of January, we highlight the many fronts in the ongoing battle for civil rights -- including the efforts of our Federal agencies; State, local, and tribal law enforcement partners; international partners; nonprofit social service providers; private industry and nongovernmental organizations around the world who are working to end human trafficking.

The victims of modern slavery have many faces. They are men and women, adults and children. Yet, all are denied basic human dignity and freedom. Victims can be abused in their own countries, or find themselves far from home and vulnerable. Whether they are trapped in forced sexual or labor exploitation, human trafficking victims cannot walk away, but are held in service through force, threats, and fear. All too often suffering from horrible physical and sexual abuse, it is hard for them to imagine that there might be a place of refuge.

We must join together as a Nation and global community to provide that safe haven by protecting victims and prosecuting traffickers. With improved victim identification, medical and social services, training for first responders, and increased public awareness, the men, women, and children who have suffered this scourge can overcome the bonds of modern slavery, receive protection and justice, and successfully reclaim their rightful independence.

Fighting modern slavery and human trafficking is a shared responsibility. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking. Together, we can and must end this most serious, ongoing criminal civil rights violation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2010 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery, and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Give...To Help Child Victims of Prostitution in Seattle

2009-12-22T14:07:00.000-08:00

From the office of Seattle City Council Member Tim Burgess:

A Residential Recovery Program for Prostituted Children in King County

January 2010

There are between 300 and 500 prostituted children in King County today, some as young as 11. Prostituted children are subject to severe physical and psychological abuse from pimps and “johns”. They often experience mental illness and substance abuse problems. Recovery from the resulting trauma requires extensive and highly specialized services provided in a safe setting. There are no services specifically designed for these children today—in Seattle, in King County, or anywhere in the state of Washington. In fact, few such programs exist in the country.

After years of planning, many community partners are coming together to raise money to support a two year pilot program that will house and provide services to approximately 20 youth per year between the ages of 14 and 17. Services will be delivered in a highly structured environment, with activities designed to meet both the individual and collective needs of participants. Specialized prostitution recovery services will be provided including counseling for traumatic stress and trauma recovery, survivor support groups, health education, medical care, life skills training, support for GED or high school completion, help preparing for enrollment in post-secondary education, job readiness training, employment placement and internships. Lastly, participants will be given safety, security and opportunities to have fun, engage in age-appropriate activities and begin to reclaim their youth.

This program will be professionally evaluated to ensure that the services are working to help children heal from the trauma they have experienced, achieve their goals and reach their potential.

The City of Seattle’s Human Services Department will contract with YouthCare, a local 501(c) 3 nonprofit agency located in Seattle, Washington to provide the services. YouthCare has extensive experience as a provider of services to troubled youth.

Our goal is to launch this program in the spring of 2010. To make this dream a reality, please make a tax deductible donation:

Send a check to: City of Seattle Prostituted Children Rescue Fund, c/o Human Services Department, PO Box 34215, Seattle, WA 98124-4215, or

Donate by credit card: Call the City of Seattle’s Treasury Department at (206) 684-3911 and ask that your contribution be deposited in the Prostituted Children Rescue Fund

Thank you for your kind support of this important project.

Seattle Against Slavery+Western Washington Coalition Against Human Trafficking

2009-12-20T12:53:00.000-08:00

Are you interested in working with others to plan practical ways to raise awareness of and fight against Human Trafficking in Washington state and around the globe?

On January 11, 2010, Seattle Against Slavery (SAS) and the Western Washington Coalition Against Human Trafficking (WWCAHT) are hosting a joint planning meeting at the University of Washington (see flier for specific location).

The event will include the opportunity to network with other people and organizations working against human trafficking, time for discussion of effective events, and the chance to hear from leaders in the fight against human trafficking in our area.

Three Cups of Tea and Stones Into Schools

2009-12-13T11:00:00.000-08:00

Come hear author and 2009 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Greg Mortenson, discuss his newest book: Stones Into Schools.

When: Tuesday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m.

Where: Seattle Pacific University, Royal Brougham Pavilion, 3414 Third Ave. W., Seattle, WA 98119

For more information: http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=audience_current_calendar&trumbaEmbed=eventid%3D85971583%26view%3Devent%26-childview%3D

Mortenson's previous book, Three Cups of Tea, is an international best-seller and shares the story of his work in Pakistan. Stones Into Schools chronicles his journey of establishing schools for girls in Afghanistan. Education is a key component in the fight against human trafficking. Mortenson and those who work alongside him provide girls with the opportunity to reach their potential and to look forward to a fulfilling future.

3rd Annual TEE OFF AGAINST TRAFFICKING 2010

2009-12-12T07:21:00.000-08:00

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!

Our 3rd Annual Tee Off Against Trafficking Charity Golf Tournament & Luncheon/Auction (the Live Auction and Luncheon are new and open to non-golfers too) is OFFICIAL!
Saturday, May 22nd at The Golf Club at Echo Falls

Are you in helping or donating to the cause?
Contact us at EastsideWOP@gmail.com

Human-Trafficking Conviction in Washington

2009-12-04T18:46:00.000-08:00

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/412627_westside25.html

Turning Oppression Into Opportunity

2009-11-24T20:27:00.000-08:00

On Monday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m., hear New York Times columnist and author Nicholas Kristof speak on his new book, written with Sheryl WuDunn: Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity For Women Worldwide.

He will be speaking at Overlake School in Redmond (20301 NE 108th ST, Redmond, WA 98053).

$10 suggested donation at the door.

To learn more about the event, visit www.overlake.org

To learn more about Kristof's book, please visit: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307267146

"Victory Day" Seattle Film Premiere

2009-11-21T18:02:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the United Nation's International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, Seattle Against Slavery (SAS) is sponsoring this film's Seattle Premiere on Wednesday, Dec. 2nd at 6:30 pm at the Harvard Exit Theatre. In partnership with the writer/director/star filmmaker, Sean Ramsay, and Western Washington Coalition Against Human Trafficking, you and your friends are invited to attend this premiere.

The price has been lowered to only $15 per person in order to get a great showing from the community for this human trafficking-political thriller.

There will be appetizers at 6:30 pm, and you will get to meet the filmmaker, Sean Ramsay. The panel discussion will not only include your hosts, but also the U.S. Attorney, Ye-Ting Woo, who heads up the trafficking cases locally for the federal government.

Please consider attending, purchasing your tickets early, and promoting for us.

Film & Trailer: http://www.victorydaythefilm.com/

The LA press release: http://la.indymedia.org/news/2009/10/231014.php

Buy Tickets Here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/89999

Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186552497688

Ideas to Bring the Heart of Christmas Home

2009-11-21T17:47:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

This Christmas, join us in bringing the heart of Christmas home by blessing people in your life and around the world with gifts of Life, Opportunity and Hope. You can touch hearts in creative ways with World Concern’s Global Gift Guide. Here are just a few ideas:

Let a young person in your family choose a gift. God may use this experience to shape their heart. When my nephew, Stephen, was in kindergarten, I invited him to choose a gift from the Global Gift Guide. He found the photo of beaming Bangladeshi fishermen hauling a net full of fish into their boat, and his face lit up at the idea of giving someone a fish pond. We filled in the gift order, I wrote the check, and he kept that photo of fishermen by his desk for the next year. Many years later, he loves fishing. And he has a passion for helping people in poverty. He spent last summer working with a poor village in Honduras to start a community library. This year he’s a freshman in the International Relations Program at Tufts University. Who knows whether God used that fish pond in unseen ways to influence the course of his future career?

Challenge the kids at your church. Work with your children’s ministry to grow kids’ hearts for the world by giving them the opportunity to bless someone a world away. Children love to give. Let them set a goal, choose a gift from the Global Gift Guide, and earn or collect money toward the purchase they have selected. They might give ducks by the dozen to a family in need. Or rescue a child from the dangers of trafficking. Or help some children across the world go to school. We even have a free church Global Gift Guide Kit to help you. www.worldconcern.org/churches

Use the Global Gift Guide in your prayer time. It’s colorful and full of human interest stories. While you pray, let a page per day inspire you. In a month you will have prayed around the world.

Use the link below to see World Concern’s Global Gift Guide. It’s jam-packed with ways to honor a loved one, and at the same time enter the life of someone struggling to survive and offer them the opportunity they have been praying for.

http://donate.worldconcern.org//page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.worldconcern.org%2fglobalgiftguide%2f+&srcid=15361&srctid=1&erid=436305

We’ll be glad to mail you copies as well. Just email us or give us a call.

Have a blessed holiday season.

Sincerely,

Sarah Leech
Director of Women of Purpose
(206)546-7396
sarahl@worldconcern.org

© COPYRIGHT 2006 WORLD CONCERN, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

An Opportunity to Purchase Freedom Stones

2009-11-15T16:29:00.000-08:00

A number of people have asked about opportunities to purchase Freedom Stones, especially with Christmas approaching!

Many of you know about hosting Freedom Stones Parties, but not everyone is able to host or attend those events. Thankfully, a woman from our community has provided an amazing opportunity for Freedom Stones to gain more public recognition and for any community member interested to come view and purchase the jewelry.

On December 5th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Robert Frost Elementary's PTSA is hosting a Holiday Bazaar. Freedom Stones will have a booth to sell the jewelry, and members of the Freedom Stones Team will be available to answer questions and share about the incredible work the organization does in the lives of those at-risk of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

What: Freedom Stones Jewelry for Sale!

Where: Robert Frost Elementary, Kirkland, WA http://www.lwsd.org/school/frost/Pages/default.aspx

When: December 5, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

For more information or to inquire about hosting a Freedom Stones Party, contact Sally Demos at sally.demos@yahoo.com

Serving Girls At-Risk in India

2009-11-10T18:55:00.001-08:00

As captured by the Academy Award winning film Born Into Brothels, the children of the Calcutta red-light districts are some of the most stigmatized in their own country. They have little hope of escaping their mothers' fate or creating another type of life.

Buntains’ Calcutta Mission is founded on the work of missionaries Mark and Huldah Buntain, who over 53 years established a vast network of ministries to holistically serve the spiritual and physical needs of others.

On Monday, November 16th at 7:00 pm at Northwest University: HSC104 (Building 18 on this map: http://www.northwestu.edu/tours/images/campus_map.pdf), Huldah Buntain and Amitabh Singh will show part of the film mentioned above and share about their ministry in India. Their ministry includes hospitals and clinics, over 100 rural and city schools, a daily feeding program for more than 25,000 people, and their latest expansion, Hope House, a safe haven for at-risk girls to live and have the chance to fulfill their dreams.

An Opprotunity to Learn More

2009-11-08T21:31:00.001-08:00

More and more people are answering the call to educate their communities about the issue of Human Trafficking. Here is a chance to invite neighbors and friends to join you in learning more.

View a portion of the Call+Response Documentary and hear from people who work locally to fight human trafficking.

When: November 16th, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: All Saints Church; 1716 2nd Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109-2805

For more information, contact: Brynn Nelson at 971.235.6000

For a higher resolution, electronic copy of the poster seen here, email sally.demos@yahoo.com

Social Entrepreneurship

2009-10-31T20:43:00.000-07:00

This semester, Northwest University in Kirkland has been holding lectures on Social Justice and Practice. The next lecture is this Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Health and Sciences Center Lecture Hall (Building #18, Room 104). For a campus map, visit http://www.northwestu.edu/tours/images/campus_map.pdf

Dr. Teresa Gillespie will be sharing Beyond Social Justice: Using Entrepreneurial Principles to Address Social Problems. She will be talking about the characteristics of successful social ventures and why Christians, in particular, should be social entrepreneurs.

You are welcome to join current students for this opportunity to hear how social justice issues can be successfully addressed through the application of business skills.

IJM Film Screenings

2009-10-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

International Justice Mission's (IJM) new film, At the End of Slavery: The Battle for Justice in Our Time, will be shown on the following days at the locations listed below. These screenings are an excellent opportunity for further education and to invite friends to learn more about human trafficking. You can also host a screening as part of IJM's Weekend to End Slavery, November 14th and 15th. For more information, please visit http://www.attheendofslavery.com/.

Screenings Schedule:

November 7th: Wiley Heights Covenant Church (Yakima)
November 14th: Kent Covenant Church and Believers Fellowship (Gig Harbor)
November 15th: Chapel Hill Church (Gig Harbor)
November 16th: All Saints (Seattle)
November 22nd: Bellingham Covenant Church
January 10th: Snohomish Community Church
February 19th: Hidden Creek Community Church (Olympia)

Trailer:

At The End Of Slavery - Extended Trailer from International Justice Mission on Vimeo.

Seattle Against Slavery: Educational Opportunity

2009-09-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

Seattle Against Slavery October Meeting
Guests:
Ye-Ting Woo of U.S. Attorney Office-Seattle
Kathleen Morris of International Rescue Committee
Harvey Sloan of Seattle Police Dept. & WA Advisory Committee on Trafficking (WashACT)
When:
Monday, Oct. 5, 2009
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where:
Two Union Square
51st Floor, Conference Room 5122
601 Union St.
Seattle, WA 98101
For More Information Contact:
Alex Sum alexsum@msn.com

Emma Thompson speaks on Human Trafficking

2009-09-25T12:39:00.001-07:00

New Freedom Stones Video

2009-09-20T15:15:00.001-07:00

International Justice Mission to Be Featured on ABC Nightline and World News

2009-09-16T15:37:00.001-07:00

International Justice Mission's work in Cambodia will be featured on ABC Nightline tonight at 11:30 p.m. ET and on ABC World News tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Here is an email sent out by Christa Hayden, Regional Director of Church Mobilization (Mid-Atlantic Region) for IJM:

I am pleased to announce that tonight's ABC Nightline will be dedicated to discussion of child sex tourism - and IJM will be among the groups they feature combating it.

Last month, a team from ABC traveled to Phnom Penh to work in the field with IJM's undercover investigators and field office staff - as well as our extraordinary aftercare partners at Agape Restoration Center (ARC), run by Don and Bridget Brewster. Needless to say, they were impressed with what they saw.

Tonight's show will include coverage of IJM's work in Cambodia, highlighting our efforts to apprehend perpetrators and our dedication to seeing that their victims receive loving and long-term aftercare. We expect that piece to focus on former IJM client, Bella, rescued in 2004 at the age of 13 by our undercover investigators from the infamous Anarchy Building, a center of sex, drug and arms trade in Phnom Penh. While in Phnom Penh, correspondent Dan Harris, along with two award-winning producers, interviewed Bella at ARC - in English! The transformation in her over five years, in great part due to the support she received at Agape from Don and Bridget Brewster and their excellent Cambodian staff, is bound to surprise, move and inspire you.

But that is not all!

ABC World News is also scheduled to air several pieces on child sex tourism and partners in Cambodia during their evening news segments. On Thursday, they will feature IJM's work on the ground in Cambodia, highlighting our collaboration with local law enforcement as well as U.S. Federal authorities.

These are very exciting developments, sure to raise awareness about the great and widespread evil of human trafficking; but also IJM's efforts to combat it. For more information on the ABC programs, please visit their website at http://abcnews.go.com/nightline

It is my great hope and prayer that these pieces will move viewers to join us in our work, as well as do much to bring freedom to the many vulnerable victims who still wait for freedom. (Emphases mine)

Now What Do I Do?

2009-09-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

Learning about human trafficking can be a disheartening experience. I often find myself immobilized by sadness and a feeling of helplessness in the face of the issue. Knowing that I can make a difference and that amazing people and organizations are doing so already restores my hope. God is at work fighting human trafficking and here is how you, his greatest instrument of change, can join that fight in practical ways.

Educate Yourself:
1) Read websites, books, and articles that will help you learn more. Some suggestions include http://www.ijm.org/, http://www.stopthetraffik.org/, http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/, http://www.worldconcern.org/, http://www.bridgestothenations.org/; Terrify No More (Gary Haugen) and Not for Sale (David Bastone).
2) Host a movie night for friends and neighbors and watch a movie on the issue. Check out Human Trafficking, Not for Sale, or Taken. Trade also provides an accurate portrayal of the issue, though it is slightly more graphic and suitable only for mature audiences.
3) Participate in a local exposure experience. Contact Lynnee@occ.org for details.
4) Bing or Google "Human Trafficking" and start reading.

Advocate for the Cause:
1) Use your gifts as a blogger and writer to help out with this site. Contact eastsidewop@gmail.com. Or, write about the issue on your personal blog.
2) Host a jewelry party with Freedom Stones! Raise awareness and funds for recovering women seeking to support themselves. Contact eastsidewop@gmail.com.
3) Continue tithing and giving. For those who attend OCC, 10% of your tithe goes towards Serve the World (STW) Projects, including supporting those working in this cause. Prayerfully consider how you can craigslist, garage sale, or part-time work your way to a giving goal toward projects that stop human trafficking. Opportunities to give through EWOP and OCC projects are available. Contact Lynnee@occ.org for more information.
4) Start talking to other people. Use our 3 primary fund raisers to invite friends, neighbors, and family to engage in the cause. Sell microloan cards at Christmas, promote Pictures for a Purpose with neighbors, friends, and your kids' school. Ask businesses you frequent to be a sponsor at the Tee Off Against Trafficking Golf Tournament. Use your sphere of influence to make a difference!
5) Book a photo session for your child at Pictures for a Purpose, happening Saturday, October 10. All sitting fees and a percentage of picture sales are donated to prevention and education causes. Or, volunteer to help out with the event. Contact eastsidewop@gmail.com.

Participate in Serving:
1) Make changes in your lifestyle. Use fair trade coffee and chocolate. Find brands that support sustainability and community development in the countries where their products are produced.
2) Invest your time in the serving core of EWOP. Use your gifts and experiences to help. Contact eastsidewop@gmail.com.
3) Volunteer at one of our fundraisers. Be part of the task force team that helps promote and execute the events.
4) Consider going international to see and share about the issue. The 7-day March 2010 trip to Thailand is being planned. Contact Lynnee@occ.org.
5) Prayerfully consider how God might want to use your SHAPE (spiritual gifts, heart [passions], abilities, personality, and experiences) to impact the cause. Need a conversation? Contact Lynnee@occ.org.
6) Pray! God's power is the best tool to fight this issue and His justice prevails. Make it a daily habit to think about the at-risk children and women who are most vulnerable.

One Small Victory for H.R. 2737 - Child Protection Compact Act of 2009

2009-09-11T12:29:00.000-07:00

One small victory has been won this week in the FIGHT to END child trafficking.

Last week, a small group of EWOP members joined about 7 other women from the community to urge Congressman Inslee to support and become a cosponsor to HR 2737, the Child Protection Compact Act of 2009 (CPCA).

Summary of the CPCA of 2009

Authorizes the Secretary of State, through the Ambassador, to provide assistance (grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts) for an eligible country with a significant prevalence of trafficking in children that enters into a Child Protection Compact with the United States to support policies and programs to eradicate the trafficking of children.

I think we were all a little nervous about the meeting. We really didn't know what to expect. All we knew is that we would do our very best to give a voice to the children around the world that have been, are at risk of, or have lost their lives and innocence by being trafficked in some way. We shared our stories, photos and hearts in hopes that the representative would choose to cosponsor the bill - and to give these children a voice!

This is one of the images that we shared with Congressman Jay Inslee's Special Assistant, Patrick Hogan. We hoped and prayed that her life and story would be honored...

Just yesterday, we received an email that stated the following:

"Hello,

This is to follow up on our recent meeting here in Congressman Jay Inslee's office in Shoreline. I wanted to let you all know that Congressman Inslee will cosponsor the Child Protection Compact Act of 2009, H.R. 2737.

Congressman Inslee continues to believe that the United States must take an active role in combating the international human trafficking....

Thanks for focusing our attention on it. Congressman Inslee's name should soon appear on the list of cosponsors."

Just another small, but important victory for our FIGHT to END child trafficking.

If you would like to join us in tracking the progress of this bill, click on THIS LINK . You will be able to follow the progress of the bill as it makes its way through different phases of consideration by the House and the Senate.

Child Victims of Human Trafficking in King County Need Your Help!

2009-09-04T12:18:00.000-07:00

I recently learned, much to my great disappointment, that funding for a shelter and trauma center for sexually exploited children and youth (MIDD Strategy 17b) has been cut from the 2010 King County budget. Upon further research (primarily thanks to Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center), I learned that under Federal and Washington State Law minors involved in the sex industry are considered victims of human trafficking. An estimated 500 children and youth in King County fall into this category. However, the County's current system does not treat them accordingly. Minors arrested for prostitution are processed through the juvenile court system - treated as criminals instead of victims. This system does not serve the children and youth involved. They do not have the opportunity to receive the care and counseling they most need. After reviewing MIDD Strategy 17b, I feel the plans outlined there DO serve the best interests of those involved.

This is an excellent opportunity to speak out on behalf of sexually exploited children right here where we live!

Please take the time to review Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center's web page devoted to this issue. You will find more information about the issue of human trafficking in King County, a sample letter to a County Official, and contact information for County officials. Also on the page is a link to the actual text of MIDD Strategy 17b. You can make a difference by emailing or calling the representative from your district and the County Executive.

Pictures for a Purpose Video

2009-08-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a little video about Pictures for a Purpose using shots from last year. This just briefly explains what we are doing and why. Enjoy!

Many thanks to Joy Williams for the soundtrack.

Benefit Walk

2009-08-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a way to support the movement in STOPPING sex-trafficking (besides our Pictures for a Purpose event) ...

Stop Child Trafficking Now is holding a walk in the Seattle area (Magnuson Park) on Saturday, September 26th to raise money to STOP child sex trafficking.

If you're interesting in joining the fight, visit their website HERE.

Though the Eastside Women of Purpose are not affiliated with this company, we ARE affiliated, passionate and united in the cause to STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING!

Pictures For A PURPOSE

2009-08-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

Our Eastside Women of Purpose group is having our 2nd Annual Pictures for a Purpose on Saturday, October 10th.

If you're local, go to our WEBSITE and sign up to have your child's picture taken (if you register now, you will receive an Early Bird Discount as well as a prime slot with the photographer of your choice!).

All of the sitting fees and a majority of the cost of prints go directly to STOPPING child trafficking.

Six, amazingly talented local photographers donate their entire day, talent and equipment to this important cause.

Looking to Educate

2009-08-18T15:09:00.000-07:00

One of our primary goals is to spread the word about human trafficking. Modern day slavery is a HUGE worldwide problem and is growing by the day. The more people that know, the more we can inspire others to do something to help save lives right here in our state and beyond.

Eastside Women of Purpose is looking for opportunities to share what we've learned about human trafficking with others--including first-hand experiences from the ground in Thailand with amazing photos taken from unbelievable professional photographers in our group. If you would like us to come & do a presentation for your school, youth group, MOPS program, life group etc. we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at EastsideWOP@gmail.com.

The Unbound Conference

2009-04-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

If you have been wanting to educate yourself on all things Human Trafficking, I have the Conference for you. I encourage you to attend the UNBOUND Conference in Seattle on May 8th and 9th. There will be a number of great speakers and this is the perfect chance to educate yourself on what is going on and how you can help.

SIGN UP TODAY by clicking on THIS LINK.

(Plus, the founder of Women of Purpose, Coleen Grove, is one of the speakers!! :)

Tee Off eBay Auction is…LIVE!

2009-04-23T23:32:00.001-07:00

The Eastside Women of Purpose's 2009 "Tee Off Against Trafficking" Online Auction is now LIVE on eBay!
If you aren't a golfer but have been looking for a practical way to get involved with this cause, check it out and place a BID!
We have a TON of AMAZING items this year, and you DON'T want to miss out!

100% of the proceeds go towards the fight to STOP Human Trafficking throughout SE Asia. By slowing trafficking in SE Asia, we drastically reduce the number of children and women trafficked into the US.

Now how is that for smart shopping?!?!

Just click HERE to start BIDDING and CHANGE LIVES!

For more information about our cause, click HERE

(If you win an eBay Auction Item, please consider all money bid over the value of the item tax deductible.)

22yr. old is a mother to Nepali orphans

2009-04-13T13:33:00.000-07:00

During a recent blog lurking session I stumbled upon the blog of Maggie Doyne. She runs an orphange in Nepal and she's only 22. I read through some of her posts, and I'm blown away by the selflessness and bravery of this young American girl. You can read about Maggie here and while you're there look around her blog, too.

Another Setback for Afghan Women

2009-04-06T21:09:00.001-07:00

We all remember the stories that emerged soon after the Taliban regime in Afghanistan was removed from power. Women forced to wear burqas, unable to leave their homes unless escorted by a male relative. Women denied basic health care, even anesthetic for c-sections. Young girls forbidden to attend school.

Conversely, a photographic essay published a year after US troops came to Afghanistan loudly intimated, "THESE WOMEN ARE NOW FREE." I distinctly remember seeing photographs of Afghan women wearing high heals and makeup in TIME magazine. Somehow, the spikes and eye shadow were supposed to convince the world that equal rights had arrived to the country.

Today's news, then, was nothing short of distressing. Today, a law was passed in Afghanistan that gives husbands express permission to essentially rape their wives. Consent on the part of the wife was deemed unnecessary. Originally crafted to give the Shiite community it's own freedoms and identity, the clause on permissible, state sanctioned rape is drawing international scrutiny.

You can read the article here.

President Obama has called the law "abhorrent." E-mail him here to express your own abhorrence and support of the US governments intense opposition to this law.

Eastside Women of Purpose Video

2009-03-15T14:34:00.001-07:00

This was shown at OCC this Sunday...

Marisa Butterworth Interview from Overlake Christian Church on Vimeo.

H2-africa

2009-03-06T10:41:00.001-08:00

water4christmas.com is up and running if you'd like to check it out.

They are selling shirts now too! Shirts (of course) are made in Africa.

Very cool!

Evil in Darfur

2009-03-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

I just turned off CNN.

I'm so angry, so outraged, so utterly incensed. I don't know what to do.

The President of Darfur, who was yesterday indicted by the International Criminal Court at the Hague for war crimes and crimes against humanity, is throwing all aid agencies out of Sudan. Doctors without Borders, World Vision, the Red Cross, and others have received notification that they are to stop providing food and medical assistance to ANYONE in the country. This means hundreds of thousands of impoverished people have been sentenced to death. Even with the help of these agencies, the crisis in Darfur was staggering at best. There already weren't enough resources and health care to go around. Read the article here.

I watched Darfur's President merrily waving a flag and dancing in front of a mob of people, as he laughed off the war crimes charge and, in retaliation, sentenced hundreds of thousands of Sudanese people to death. A doctor being interviewed said, in a thick voice, tears in her eyes, "We are not political. We are medical. We just want to get back to our patients. They will die. They will die without us."

The only word that makes any sense to describe this scenario is EVIL.

I have no clue what to do. I just e-mailed the President of the United States. It was a short e-mail. It started like this,
"Dear President Obama,

Can you please stop President Al-Bashir. Please. I can't think of anything more important than saving the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent people...... "

Will you join me in praying for justice for these innocent people? Will you e-mail our President? Will you post other ideas about what we can do?

10 CHILD prostitutes in Washington rescued!!

2009-03-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

10 child prostitutes in Washington rescued during nationwide sweep by FBI
Police and federal agents have rescued 10 child prostitutes and arrested 35 people in Western Washington as part of a nationwide sweep aimed at curbing the sexual exploitation of children, according to the FBI.

By Mike Carter
Seattle Times staff reporter
Police and federal agents rescued 10 child prostitutes and arrested 35 people in Western Washington as part of a nationwide sweep aimed at curbing the sexual exploitation of children, according to the FBI.
Nationwide, "Operation Cross Country III" last week took 48 child prostitutes into protective custody and police and agents in 29 cities — including Seattle, Everett and Tacoma — arrested 571 people for investigation of state and federal charges involving the domestic trafficking of children for sex.
"We continue to pursue those who exploit our nation's children," said FBI Director Robert Mueller. "We may not be able to return their innocence but we can remove them from this cycle of abuse and violence."
Special Agent Robbie Burroughs of the Seattle office of the FBI said most of those arrested here will face state charges, although three individuals arrested for pimping child prostitutes could face more serious federal charges.
FBI Special Agent Tarna Derby-McCurtain of the bureau's Tacoma office is a member of a newly formed task force in Western Washington aimed at rescuing child prostitutes and prosecuting those who lure them into the lifestyle.
She said the Department of Justice formed the task force here after seeing a trend of both victims and pimps coming from Washington. It met first in Pierce County in 2007 and since has obtained at least three indictments against men accused of luring teenage girls into sexual slavery.
"They go to malls. They're on MySpace," Derby-McCurtain said. "They go wherever young people gather," where they prey on young girls with low self-esteem. "We see both throwaway kids, and kids who are middle-class."
The ones lured into prostitution wind up on the "West Coast track," traveling on a sex circuit that ranges from Vancouver, B.C., to Los Angeles to Las Vegas, Derby-McCurtain said.
She said there's no easy answer to the question of why Western Washington seems to attract both young victims and those who exploit them.
But the data, she said, is clear and the new task force is targeting the problem, emphasizing the arrests of the pimps and getting help for their victims.
On Monday, the state House of Representatives unanimously passed a measure that would create a diversion program for teenagers arrested for the misdemeanors prostitution and prostitution loitering. The bill would allow judges to sentence teens to the program, which focuses on treatment, education and housing instead of incarceration.
Bill sponsor Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, said that teens can stay in the program for up to one year.
She said that prosecutors will have discretion on who they recommend into the program — teens can have prior convictions and can have spent time in the diversion program before.
"These children truly are victims of some pretty horrific sexual abuse," said Dickerson, who has been working with prosecutors, law enforcement and children's groups on creating the legislation since last summer. "I look at them not as criminals but as victims who need a lot of care and safe housing."
There has not been an announcement on when the measure will be heard before the Senate.
In 2007, a new state law toughened the penalty for adults convicted of forcing juveniles into prostitution.
In the past, suspects accused of coercing underage girls into prostitution were most often charged with first-degree promoting prostitution, also a felony.
Unlike promoting prostitution, anyone convicted of commercial sexual abuse of a minor has to register as a sex offender.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008778257_kids24m.html

BOOK CLUB

2009-02-02T09:40:00.000-08:00

I found this book taking an enormous amount of energy to process. I am overwhelmed with feelings of helplessness about having an impact on this evil that has become so pervasive and systemic. I am especially disturbed about how many mothers have knowingly sacrificed their daughters to this. I do find hope in the way Mam's safehouse has grown and matured so quickly. Eg. The scarves could bring them many more resources and much publicity that could buttress public interest/pressure on the situation.

I think having a 6 year old daughter who was abandoned as a newborn in China brings this closer to home. I have never been able to let myself imagine what would have become of her had she not been adopted, let alone be subjected to this kind of evil. It's impossible to go there.

I find hope in looking at another pervasive, systemic evil that has been perpetrated upon girls for centuries: Female Genital Mutilation, or FGM. A friend's grandmother, a retired missionary who served in East Africa for 40 years once said of FGM when asked if it would ever end, "Yes, when the Lord comes back."

But she was wrong. The tide is definitively turning against this widespread torture. Entire villages that became Christians have given up the practice. Education has worked in many places. Two Ugandan girls that since 2001 I supported the rescue, relocation and education of, just graduated from college as teachers! Simply by virtue of these girls being in the program, their little sisters at home were spared. Christine and Catherine are among many bright young women who will change Africa.

When I first began working against FGM I was shocked to learn how many of my contemporaries had never even heard of this. We can do so much by simply educating everyone in our sphere of influence about child sex trafficking. At times it will be discouraging to find out how many Christians don't care about what occurs beyond their front door, or choose the responsibility-absolving path of disbelief, but many will choose to be God's hands in this. It's our job to find them.

Right after I finished the book and was feeling very discouraged, God gave me this verse (one of those close-your-eyes-and-open-the-Bible kinds of things): "...All their captors hold them fast, refusing to let them go. Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is His name. He will vigorously defend their cause..." Jeremiah 50:33b-34, NIV.

The Princess Project

2009-02-01T09:27:00.001-08:00

We're all about spreading the word on companies making a difference.

International Princess Project Vision: Restore hope and dignity to women formerly enslaved to prostitution.

International Princess Project Mission: Establish self-sustaining enterprises in partnership with indigenous organizations that provide for physical, emotional and spiritual needs of women formerly enslaved to prostitution; AND advocate for women enslaved in prostitution around the world.

They sell adorably beautiful pajamas.

And they are made at a rehabilitation facility for women formerly enslaved in prostitution in India.

My friend has a pair ... and loves them.

Loves them because they are beautiful.

Loves them because they help make a difference.

A DIFFERENCE.

Dignity.

Freedom.

Self-Worth.

Check them out HERE.

Our Purpose

2009-01-26T09:07:00.000-08:00

I read this today and can't stop thinking about it ...

"Never underestimate the ability of a small group of committed individuals to change the world; indeed they're the only ones who ever have." - Margaret Mead

300 Voices

2009-01-25T14:08:00.000-08:00

We are helping to spread the word for 300 Voices ...

We need 300 people.

300 people to make a commitment to 300 Voices .... Water For All Season.

This will be a commitment of $20/month.

Water For Christmas (WFC) will stay open all year. We get 300 people to commit to $20 a month for 2009 and that's an additional $72,000.

Did you get that?

That is 15 wells.

That's a lot of money ...

As always, 100% of your money goes to charity: water. They use 100& to drill fresh wells and clean water solutions.

But beyond that, the idea is to keep water on our hearts and minds of a 300-person team.

So we will give all year.

We pray, we dream, we plan.

And then in November 2009 we kick off Water For Christmas with a team of 300 that have been serving all year.

Here's how it will work:

water4christmas.com is being developed and will be ready to launch later in the year.

For now, go HERE to sign up. Give us your name and location. We'll start a list of people around the country who are committing to Water. You can do your donations for $5/week, or $20/month, or $240 donation for the whole year. We will not bombard you with emails ... but if you want monthly or weekly reminders to donate we will do that. If you don't do online giving, and would like to mail in checks, you can still do that by making checks payable to Charity Global with Water For Christmas in the memo line. Please mail checks to: Charity Global - 150 Varick St. 5th Floor, New York, NY 10013. We will even send you a set of 12 envelopes if you would prefer to send a monthly donation by mail.

We will have a counter showing how close we are to getting 300 people.

300 Voices.

There is a new blog badge for 300 Voices ... use it if you want.Anyone can join.

Talk about it.

Blog about it.

At this point, all it means is a $20/month commitment. The giving is just to force us to put action behind our causes. And provide clean water for thousands in the process.

Ideally, in November 2009, we have people whose treasure has followed their heart and they are ready to go. We reach 300 times more people with awareness about clean water.

The money is multiplied.

And clean water will erupt from the dirt of Africa's floor.

We will be one voice ... 300 strong ... for clean water ... for life.

So.

You want in?

Go.

Sign up.

For more info, updates and inspiration ... visit Jody's blog HERE.

It looks like Jody may even be able to give us updates personally ... from the ground in Liberia. So we can see how our money is changing and saving lives.

Let's keep it fresh in our hearts and minds.

Even if it's only $20 a month.

Times 300.

BOOK CLUB Part 2

2009-01-19T07:58:00.000-08:00

I would love to hear from any of you who have started reading this book by Somaly. I just spent a few minutes in the beginning chapters again, asking myself how a child can be left to fend for themselves. I think most of us would agree we have NO slot for that kind of childhood. And how could she be so easily given to "GRANDFATHER"? She truly was alone and at the mercy of anyone who had remotely looked after her. Did you sense her longing to belong, to be loved, to be a part of a family?

We all were made with that deep need to know we are of value, that someone notices us, puts a plate at the table for us, misses us if we don't show up. It is amazing how wonderful it feels to have someone pat a seat next to them and say, "I saved a seat for you".

How can we do that for people in our lives today? Does someone come to mind that needs you to "Save them a seat", send them an email of appreciation, value their presence in the meeting?

I would love to hear how each of us could take up the challenge to encourage and validate the "Somaly's in our lives".

I am a total culture geek, so I spent a good amount of time looking up subjects like PHNONG, MONDULKIRI PROVINCE, and especially the history of the POI POT'S KHMER ROUGE. There is no way I can express the sorrow I felt walking among the devastation of that regime in Cambodia only two years ago. This history of genocide plays a ferocious part in the mind-set of the Cambodian people. I will never be the same after viewing first-hand the atrocities of this regime.

Please share with us your impressions, your insights, your journey in this book. We all will grow and learn from your honesty.

Blessings to each of you for letting your heart and mind be vulnerable,

Patti

2009 EWOP Book Club

2009-01-12T16:28:00.000-08:00

With 2009 upon us, we are hoping many will want to join us in our new Book Club as we educate ourselves on the subject of Human Trafficking. The first book we will read together is one just published in 2008 by Somaly Mam called THE ROAD OF LOST INNOCENCE. (You can order it now by clicking on the link.) It gives a very heart-wrenching account of her life and the struggle to set others free from sexual slavery in Cambodia. I believe this book will be a valuable tool to enable each of us to better understand this injustice. From our readings and discussions, I hope we all can be better informed to explain this cause we have decided to give our hearts and resources towards in making a change.

In the next few days, I will be posting a quote or posing a question concerning this book to start us looking and asking some of the hard questions and ways we can make a difference right where we are.

It is a very powerful story of a Cambodian heroine.

Patti

HELP US STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING!

2009-01-04T20:41:00.000-08:00

a few words from Bono

2008-12-22T15:06:00.000-08:00

From an interview he gave to the NY TIMES about Microloans:

Q. 5. How do you feel about micro-loans and micro-enterprise as a tool to end world poverty — by helping people help themselves to self-sufficiency? - Barry Stevens, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica

A. I met Professor Microcredit himself last week to discuss this. A very gracious, very great man: Mohammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. You know that mantra, "Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime"? It's missing something: microfinance is the fishing rod, the boat, the net, etc. Cash and dignity, side by side. Part of Professor Yunus's brilliance was to lend the money to women, who are much more reliable at paying back loans. Maybe the mantra should be: "Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Give a woman microcredit, she, her husband, her children and her extended family will eat for a lifetime."

Microloans Featured on Totally Tabletops!!

2008-12-17T13:16:00.000-08:00

Our Microloan Gift Cards were just featured on one of my favorite blogs, "Totally Tabletops"! Thanks to the owner of Totally Tabletops and The Invisible Hostess, Sheena, for helping us sell more cards and help more women! Click here to visit the Totally Tabletops blog.

EWOP Microloan Gift Cards featured on Popular Blog!!

2008-12-14T19:24:00.000-08:00

Our microloan cards have been featured on the very popular blog, "Mama Manifesto!" Check out the very cool posting that mentions what our group's microloan cards go towards in "Christmas Gifts that Give Back." Thanks Mama Manifesto!

If you are interested in purchasing a Microloan Gift Card this holiday season, please click on the BUY button on the top right hand corner and we will send one out for you right away!

Buy a Microloan Gift Card Online!

2008-12-08T15:56:00.001-08:00

We have set it up so that you can use Paypal to buy one (or more) Microloan Gift Cards! Simply click on the Buy Now button on the top right of the screen, pay, and we will mail out your order right away.

If you would like faster shipping, please do not order through Paypal. Email us at eastsidewop@gmail.com and we will adjust your price to include shipping.

Please note: There is a $1 fee (making your total $26) when using Paypal. This covers the cost of the Paypal fee charged.

Microloan Sales For Christmas!

2008-11-10T15:24:00.000-08:00

50,000

This is the number of young adults caught in the sex industry in Pattaya, Thailand.

$100

This is the amount of U.S. dollars needed to provide a young woman or man, formerly enslaved in prostitution with education, job skills training and a microloan to start a new job or business.

We need your help!

Help us RENEW a life this Christmas by selling $25 microloan gift cards to friends & family.

EWOP volunteers will be stationed in the mallway near the Information Desk this Sunday, Nov. 16th through the Sunday before Christmas to pass out microloan cards and/or collect any money raised.

Our goal is to sell 200 cards!!
That's $5000 or 50 young women & men to go through the microloan program.

For more information about the Microloan Program in Pattaya, go to http://www.bridgestothenations.com/.

For questions about selling the microloan cards, e-mail Amy Wasson at paul4amy@yahoo.com.

The Advent Conspiracy

2008-11-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

Overlake is doing something different this Christmas that I'm really excited about and want to encourage our group to do something like this!! Take a look!

Eastside Women of Purpose Movie and Dessert Night!!

2008-11-07T11:46:00.000-08:00

We are having a Movie and Dessert Night
on THURSDAY, November 13th at 7:30pm
at Amy Cheng's House in Sammamish!

If you are an Eastside Women of Purpose member
(and for some reason didn't get the invitation)
or would be interested in learning more about Human Trafficking,
please comment on this posting and include your email address!
We would love for you to join us.
(Feel free to bring a friend.)

Please Note: The dessert above will NOT be at our event. But it looks delish, doesn't it?)