Each year hundreds of thousands of women and children across the world are forced into modern-day slavery for purposes of sex, labor and servitude. The Emancipation Network, a nonprofit anti-trafficking organization, in collaboration with Free the Slaves and local-based organization, Manav Sansadhan Evam Mahila Vikas Sansthan (MSEMVS), have recently focused their efforts to opening the “Freedom School.” Located in the Firojpur village near Calcutta India, the school will offer rescued and high-risk children the opportunity to receive an education for the first time, helping to break the cycle of poverty, enslavement and injustice.

In order to raise awareness for the issue and generate funds to support the school, Dreams of Freedom is hosting a Halloween Benefit Party on Thursday, October 29th 2009 from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Citrine Lounge, located at 59 W. 21st St. in New York City.

There will be an open bar from 8:00 to 9:00 PM. Music will be provided by DJ Vikas. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door. There will be various costume prizes including best group and most original, so please come in festive attire.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.wantickets.com/dof2009, or at the door, the day of the event.

For more information, please email jenm@dreamsfreedom.com.

POKER TOURNAMENT EVENT SPONSORS:

Thank you to all the amazing people who have contributed in their own way to build Dreams of Freedom.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.” – Helen Keller

Abigail Pantaleon, Agata Gil, Alana Farrell, Alicia MacGregor, Anne Sharp, Annette Hertwig, April Martin, Aviva Lederman, Becky Bavinger, BM Linx, Bridget Ochs, Candice Napper, Cara Sue Richards, Cassandra Clifford, Chris Creasi, Craig Finch, Cyndi Carrion, Dan Spacek, Danelle Brown, Danielle DeNardo, Diksha Mudbhary, Donna Lynch, Elizabeth Goldberg, Elizabeth Rhodes, Eric Hamm, Erick Mcafee, Erik Gordan, Esther Goldschlager, Eva Moll, Fargo Whitman, Gabriele Saur-Burmester, Gavin Stephenson, Gina Kim, Greg Lederman, Guy Jacobson, Heide Khatschaturian, Jackie Reeves, Jacqueline Cronin, Jalin Liu, Jane Li, Jennifer Munz, Jen Schiffer, Jessica Jancek, John Berger, John McDonagh, John McGill, Jon Murray, Jordan Cohan, Juan Carlos Arevelo, Judy Creasi, Justine Fleischner, Kate Crandall, Katharina Rohrer, Katherine Horner, Kendel, Kim Boldrin, Kristine Curran, Kwasi, Lance Jordan, Larry Munz, Lauren Garrity, Lisa Brubaker, Lisa Cusano, Lucille Colin, Lucy Kafanov, Luis Reyes, Marian Wall, Mark Potter, Mike Dolce, Misty Das, Mollie Witcher, Molly Lee, Natalie Ralphs, Paula Grieco, Rainbow Girl, Ray Lian, Rebecca Loveless, Rebecca Rabbani. Rick Romot, Sabrina Saheed, Sally Pollard, Samantha Elkrief, Sarah Symons, Scot Chisholm, Sean Tuccillo, Sheryl Boyd, Stephanie Owens, Steven Kane, Suzanne Ayer, The Speaks, Unfinished Animal, Wilderness Sarchild

Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery. Victims of trafficking are subjected by force, fraud or coercion, for the purpose of sexual slavery, or forced labor and servitude. Approximately 600,000 to 800,000 victims are annually trafficked across international borders worldwide, and between 14,500 and 17,500 of those victims are trafficked into the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of State. Because Human Trafficking is virtually hidden from mainstream society, it is crucial to first educate and bring awareness of trafficking to the public. Every year, over one million women and children are forced into the commercial sex industry throughout the world. This emerging problem is one of the worst human rights crises in the world today.

For more information about Human Trafficking and Organizations please see links below:

AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE based advocacy project provides on behalf women survivors of human trafficking in New Jersey.

COALITION AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN Works internationally combat prostitution and trafficking of women and girls.

ECPAT is a network of organizations and individuals working together to eliminate the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

FREE THE SLAVES liberates slaves around the world, helps them rebuild their lives and researches real world solutions to eradicate slavery forever.

GEMS Girls Educational and Mentoring Services, Counseling and referral services, youth leadership training, to youth survivors.

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION (IJM)exists to protect people from violent forms of injustice by securing rescue and restoration for victims and accountability for perpetrators, ensuring that public justice systems work for the poor.

MADE BY SURVIVORS imports and sells beautiful handicraft products made by survivors of slavery and persons at risk of being trafficked into slavery. They help survivors build businesses and help prevent slavery by creating jobs in high risk communities.

NOW-NYC has devoted this year to ending Human Trafficking in NYC.

NYAWC is a comprehensive program that provides various services to survivors of domestic violence/Human Trafficking and their children.

POLARIS PROJECT Building a sustainable grassroots anti-trafficking movement, strengthening capacity to identify and serve survivors.

The REDLIGHT CHILDREN CAMPAIGN seeks to generate conscious concern and inspire immediate action against child sexploitation.

RESTORE is a Christian ministry that serves trafficked and prostituted women who want to leave the sex trade in New York City.

SAFE HORIZON Provides support, preventive and rehabilitative services for survivors of crime and abuse, their families and communities.

THE SOLD PROJECTwas started in reaction to this issue. Something had to be done, but what? The conclusion: to create awareness by documenting our experiences with these people. And it was our hope, in doing so, to give them a voice.

THE EMANCIPATION NETWORK (T.E.N. CHARITIES) was founded to provide immediate help to survivors, high-risk women, and anti-trafficking agencies. With T.E.N. Charities you can help in various ways and become involved in the struggle to end slavery. We can give you the tools & support you need to mobilize your friends & your community.

US DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, RESCUE AND RESTORE VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING CAMPAIGN Agency designated to help survivors become eligible to receive benefits and services, identifies survivors, created Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline. 888-3737-888.

The Emancipation Network (T.E.N.) was founded to provide immediate help to survivors, high-risk women, and anti-trafficking agencies. With T.E.N. Charities you can help in various ways and become involved in the struggle to end slavery. We can give you the tools & support you need to mobilize your friends & your community.

The problem is severe but there is hope, survivors and anti-trafficking organizations around the world have created their own Underground Railroad to rescue others, and to prevent trafficking through education, border prevention programs, as well as economic empowerment for those at the high risk.

Here are just a few of the ways you can be involved whether it is raising awareness on the issue, organizing fundraisers to help our partner organizations around the globe or sponsoring a child to go to school. We hope you will join us in the fight to eradicate slavery.

Become a T.E.N. Ambassador:
TEN Ambassadors are regional representatives responsible for scheduling and running Awareness Events, recruiting party hosts, educating people at the events about human trafficking, helping hosts to present and sell products, and continually expanding their own knowledge and understanding of trafficking and other human rights issues throughout the world. To learn more on how to become a T.E.N. Ambassador, click here.

Organize a Dreams of Freedom Benefit:
The mission of the “Dreams of Freedom Benefit” events has been to raise awareness regarding the issue of human trafficking as well as raise funds for T.E.N. Charities, a non-profit organization helping 22 anti-trafficking partner organizations worldwide.
We are aiming to build an empowered community and rely on interested leaders in different communities like you to help bring the Dreams of Freedom events to your city or hometown. For more information on how to organize a Dreams of Freedom benefit, please contact Jennifer Munz at jenm@dreamsfreedom.com

Host an Awareness Party:
An Awareness Party is a fun, inspiring, educational event at your home, school, community center, or place of worship, where you can educate your friends about human trafficking, and what is being done to fight it. You can also display and offer for sale handicraft products made by survivors of human trafficking. An Awareness Party can be formal or informal, large or small. Click here to learn more.

Host an Online Awareness Party:
An Online Awareness Party is an opportunity to educate your friends about slavery, and support survivors by encouraging your friends to buy products Made By Survivors. All you have to do is choose a 14-day time frame for your event, and send email invitations to your friends. They will be given your personal party code, and will be asked to view an uplifting video about slavery and efforts to fight it.

At the end of your party period, you will receive 10% of the total sales in product credit as our thanks for hosting the party. Even better, your efforts will have an immediate positive impact on the lives of survivor-artisans in Nepal, India, Cambodia, Thailand, the Ukraine, the Philippines, Tanzania and Uganda, at one our 20 partner shelters and prevention programs! To learn more on how to host an online awareness party, click here.

Purchase Products Made by Survivors:
Your purchase of these products helps us provide jobs to survivors of slavery and helps us prevent slavery by giving jobs to those at high risk. 100% of after-tax profits donated to charities that fight slavery! Visit our online store at www.madebysurvivors.com to check out our handmade products.

Sponsor a Child:
One of the main ways to prevent trafficking is providing kids with an opportunity to have a proper education. The T.E.N. School Sponsor program provides school tuition, books, uniform, cost of transportation and more for a child who would not normally have the opportunity to attend school. For more information about our Sponsor program, email Alicia at alicia@tencharities.org

T.E.N. Charities is a 501c3 federal tax-exempt organization, which is the nonprofit wing of The Emancipation Network.

If you would like to make a donation, please make all checks payable to T.E.N. Charities and mailed to:

T.E.N. Charities
PO Box 267
Sagamore, MA 02561

You will receive a tax receipt within a few weeks for the donation.

For more information about T.E.N. Charities visit www.tencharities.org or email Alicia MacGregor at Alicia@tencharities.org.

Receive our newsletter and get info on upcoming events

If you are interested in hosting a Dreams of Freedom event or for more information on upcoming events, contact Jennifer Munz at jenm@dreamsfreedom.com or call 703.635.4431.

To get involved and for more information, visit www.tencharities.org or email Alicia@tencharities.org.

For our online catalog of products Made by Survivors, visit www.madebysurvivors.com.

To make a donation, click here.

New York City 2008
The Emancipation Network (T.E.N) with the help of partner organizations needed help building their first production unit and independent living home for survivors of human trafficking in Calcutta, India. In order to help fund this mission, on Wednesday, May 14th, 2008, The Emancipation Network hosted their first Dreams of Freedom poker tournament at Touch Nightclub located at 240 West 52nd Street in mid-town Manhattan. The event showcased a ten-table Texas-Hold-Em style tournament, open bar, catering services and a silent auction.

Washington DC 2007
With the participation of several lounges, clubs and bars in the Washington D.C. area, Dreams of Freedom held a weeklong fundraiser from October 8th to October 13th, 2007. The week included a live performance by the band, The Speaks, an art exhibition as well as a speaker from a survivor. The mission was to raise awareness on the issue as well as raise funds for three anti-human trafficking organizations: T.E.N. Charities, Polaris Project, and Apne Aap.

Orlando 2007
Discovery Church hosted Dreams of Freedom, an anti-human trafficking event developed to educate on the real issue of modern-day slavery on October 12th, 2007. Speakers and authors from Internationally recognized human rights organizations presented the reality of the situation of living in 2007 with 27 million people still in slavery. Partners included International Justice Mission, Free the Slaves, The Emancipation Network and others presented a message of freedom, hope and justice. The event featured local artists, musicians and performers contributed their talent to raise awareness. Proceeds from the Silent Auction, ticket sales, donations and funds benefited the organizations directly rescuing and rehabilitating slaves.

Discovery Church is non-denominational Christ-centered Church in Orlando, Florida with three campus locations. Dreams of Freedom will take place at the Orange Avenue Campus at 4400 S. Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32806. For further information please visit www.discoverychurch.org or call the church office at 407-855-3140.

New York City 2007
The 2nd Dreams of Freedom event was held on April 20, 2007 from 9:00 pm to 12:00 midnight at Studio Mezmor, New York, NY. The event was a fund-raising benefit, art exhibition and concert dedicated to raising awareness on human trafficking. The NYC Dreams of Freedom group is a collection of young women from various ethnic, social and professional backgrounds aimed to build an empowered community, armed with the knowledge and tools to stop modern-day slavery. The art exhibition was a collection of local and international artists, totaling 50 pieces. Over 300 people attended and enjoyed musical performances by DJ Lance Jordan, BM Linx, and Unfinished Animal. The event raised $10,000- 100% of the proceeds were given to T.E.N.Charities, a 501(c)3 and ECPAT affiliated organization, Maiti Nepal.

Cape Cod 2006
The Emancipation Network held it’s first Dreams of Freedom Arts Event and Human Trafficking Conference on Oct. 21st in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Over 300 people from New England and beyond joined us for 6 hours of celebration and education about slavery and the modern abolitionist movement.

The event was truly a realization of our dreams – bringing together visual artists, dancers, musicians, actors, activists, interested local citizens, college students, teens, and slavery survivors. We also hosted Sompop Jantakra, the founder of DEPDC, our anti-trafficking partner agency in Northern Thailand, and his entourage of seven – staff members and kids from his program.

When Beatrice Fernando described her experiences as a domestic slave in Sri Lanka, and how out of sheer desperation, she escaped slavery by jumping out of a fourth story window, the audience was mesmerized. Later in the evening program, six teens from the Naomi Turner Dance troupe enacted in dance the journey from slavery and despair, through all the stages of fear, isolation, recovery and finally empowerment and transcendent joy. At the end of the piece, the dancers locked arms and began to whirl – then alternately dancers lifted their legs behind them and literally flew into the air, as the music soared. People were literally sobbing.

In between, we were moved and inspired by Tibetan dancing, survivor stories read by TEN’s youth volunteers, singer/songwriters, a procession of masked performers who reached into a giant bowl headpiece to hand everyone written words about justice and hope, poetry, invocations by religious leaders of numerous faiths, a fabulous and diverse art exhibit about slavery and empowerment, and slide shows and lectures which were informative and inspiring.

The proceeds from the event went to buy a new water filtration system for our partner organization, DEPDC!

The Emancipation Network, the umbrella organization for T.E.N. Charities and Made By Survivors fights slavery with economic empowerment and education. We buy handicrafts and help more than 18 anti-slavery shelters and prevention programs all over the world including Cambodia, Thailand, India, Nepal, Ukraine, Uganda, Tanzania, the Philippines, and the USA. We use these products to educate and mobilize people to action.

The Emancipation Network (T.E.N.) held its first “Dreams of Freedom Art Exhibition and Concert Benefit” on October 21st 2006 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Over 300 people from the New England area and beyond joined us for 6 hours of celebration and education about slavery and the modern abolitionist movement. The event was truly a realization of our dreams – bringing together visual artists, dancers, musicians, actors, activists, interested local citizens, college students, teens, and slavery survivors. The event raised enough money to buy a water filtration system for one of our partner organizations DEPDC in Mae Sai, Thailand.

Since then, the mission of the Dreams of Freedom benefit events has been to raise awareness regarding the issue of human trafficking as well as raise funds for T.E.N. Charities, a 501c3, non-profit organization helping 22 anti-trafficking partner organizations worldwide. These partners range in their services from rescues to prevention and finally treatment from slavery, offering survivors programs which will provide education and business development for their independence.

We are committed to empowering the community to take action against human trafficking by bringing the Dreams of Freedom events to several cities within the United States. We have held events in Cape Cod, New York City, Portland, Oregon, Washington D.C., Orlando, Florida, and Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Human trafficking is a brutal and horrific reality. Despite the noble efforts of many, the issue is still overwhelming. We hope that you will be able to join the cause whether it is attending an upcoming event or organizing one in your community. Learn more here…