LA Launch: Huge Success!

AnnaLynne McCord and Somaly Mam

Hearts were filled with giving, heads filled with ideas for action at the Los Angeles Launch of PROJECT FUTURES global, the activist platform of the Somaly Mam Foundation. The funky and hip SLS Hotel Beverly Hills served as the perfect location to raise funds for the project, welcome West Coast volunteers, and encourage others to take action and give back.

Smells of paella by Jose Andres flew through the air, bright colored orchids donated by Gira caught our eyes, the sound of people chatting and creating plans of action filled our heads, hearts, and ears. With music from LA Cambodian pop band Dengue Fever, the event satisfied every sense for those in attendance.
The night began with VIP guests walking the red carpet lined with paparazzi and journalist interviewing guests. Supporters included Ashley Rickards, Guy Sebastian, Angel McCord, Ron Livingston, and Rosemarie DeWitt, among others. Shay Mitchell discussed her visit to Cambodia and her love for the survivors, and AnnaLynne McCord glowed in a skirt that was hand-woven by a survivor.

Somaly Mam

An hour into the event, the PROJECT FUTURES global PSA was shown to give attendees a little more information on how they can join the fight against modern slavery. PROJECT FUTURES global Program Director Amy Merrill and MTV Awkward actress Ashley Rickards addressed the crowd, as did Shay Mitchell and AnnaLynne McCord. Both actresses shared heart-felt stories of their involvement with SMF, and guests had tears in their eyes as AnnaLynne spoke of holding in her arms a 4 year old who had been rescued from a brothel. The speeches were capped off with Angel McCord introducing the guest of honor, Somaly Mam, who shared her sincere gratitude to guests and volunteers.

Shay Mitchell and Angel McCord

In the wake of a very dark global crises, light was shone on the SLS Hotel as guests, supporters, volunteers, and staff became aware of modern slavery and learned how they can help. They left empowered to have an impact in the lives of survivors. They learned you do not need to know the survivors to support and love them. In the words of Somaly Mam, "I may not know you, but I love you."

To learn more about PROJECT FUTURES global and how you can make a difference in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery, please visit http://www.projectfutures.somaly.org.

All photos credit: Beverly Lindo

Postcards with Messages of Solidarity for Sex Trafficking Survivors

14 year old SMF supporter, Megan, used our postcard campaign to share her love, show her support, and become a sister to the survivors.

Megan included photos of her and her friends to give the girls a glimpse into her life, as they have given Megan that same opportunity through SMF and PROJECT FUTURES global. She also included a necklace and in the letter wrote, "Always remember you are loved. I really want to be your friend so I put in a necklace for you."

Please join Megan in sending a postcard to a survivor and share your love with a survivor.

Cartoonist Illustrates Shocking Slavery Statistic

Somaly Mam recently tweeted, "For each of @JustinBieber's Twitter followers, there are at least two more people enslaved across the globe #endslavery."

The comparison is stark but powerful. Supporter John Weeks shared this cartoon about putting things into perspective. Thanks for the great illustration!

Twilight Musician Bobby Long Fights Trafficking

British singer-songwriter Bobby Long, featured on the Twilight sountrack, placed his guitar up for auction on eBay, with all proceeds going to the Somaly Mam Foundation. The auction closed this morning, with the guitar selling for $2,125.

Thank you so much to Bobby for his generosity, and thank you to the auction winner for placing a bid to end human trafficking!

To learn more about Bobby's involvement with PROJECT FUTURES global and the Somaly Mam Foundation, and the collective work of Artists Against Traffik, click here.   

Powerful Statistic about Trafficking

"Sexual exploitation is by far the commonly identified form of human trafficking at 79% followed by forced labor at 18%."

UNODC, Global Report on Trafficking in Persons

LexisNexis Employee Takes Action Against Sex Trafficking

Christina Ritchie, a LexisNexis employee from St. Louis, Missouri, recently turned her awareness of human trafficking and passion to end modern slavery into action, raising over $800 for the Somaly Mam Foundation through her "Summer Shape Up for a Cause" workout series.

Ritchie, who is also a fitness instructor, put together a four-week, seven class series. Instead of charging a fee for the class, Ritchie asked for a donation of the participant's choice. Those who attended the series got in a great workout while learning about how the Foundation works globally to end modern day slavery. The event was a great way to engage a diverse group in action and fundraising to help combat slavery around the world.

Ritchie has challenged her co-workers at LexisNexis across the country to get involved, suggesting they hold a walk or run and donate the proceeds. If you want to meet this challenge, find out how with PROJECT FUTURES global.

Thank you, Christina, for raising awareness and support, and for encouraging others to do the same!

Hearts Aligned: Anusara Yoga with Kenny Graham

Hearts Aligned poster

The Hearts Aligned yoga event on July 10 in San Jose was a huge success! 50 activists gathered to focus their energy and brightness into bringing change to the world.

The workshop held at Downtown Yoga Shala. Thank you very much to Anusara™ teacher Kenny Graham and the Downtown Yoga Shala’s Noell Clark who generously led practice for the morning and spoke so kindly about Somaly Mam and the Foundation.

Thank you also to Prajna Vieira and Ben Leinbach for providing live music and kirtan for the workshop, a perfect accompaniment to such moving practice.

Most importantly, thank you to all those who attended the event, for bring all of your incredible energy and fullness of heart.

Interested in creating your own yoga event? Or maybe youhave another idea on how to get others engaged in the fight against trafficking? Visit PROJECT FUTURES global online and get started today. The future awaits!

Your Voices Heard: Activists Reaching Senators

A young constituent in Florida wrote to Senator Marco Rubio, asking him to pay attention to the issue of human trafficking, particularly the sexual exploitation of children. Watch Sen. Rubio read the letter, and hear his encouraging response.

You too can be a voice for the enslaved and exploited. For advocacy tips and templates for letter-writing, visit PROJECT FUTURES global. Speaking up works - people listen.

Fight Human Trafficking with PROJECT FUTURES global and Somaly Mam

Looking for a way to help in the fight of human trafficking, but don't know where to start? Do you have lots of energy and ideas to put into play? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of millions?

Join PROJECT FUTURES global as we empower a generation to take action against the great evil of modern slavery. Join the fight and end slavery.

Send a Postcard to a Survivor of Sex Trafficking

"Human presence and moral support is as important as ... financial aid to the girls, who need to be recognized as full fellow human beings." - Somaly Mam, The Road of Lost Innocence

Show your solidarity with survivors of sex trafficking and send messages of love and encouragement. Join PROJECT FUTURES global's postcard campaign to touch the lives of a survivor in the shelter, sending a positive message of support and strength.

If you're in the New York area, check out the campaign launch tonight (July 7) at DDC Lab for a volunteer mixer and to make a postcard. (427 West 14th Street, New York, NY; 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.) This is an excellent opportunity to show your support for survivors and to tell them about your dedication to ending slavery.

Not in New York or can't make it to the event? Send your postcards to the PROJECT FUTURES team before July 31st. We'll send them to survivors living in shelters in South East Asia so that they can hear your beautiful words.

Send Postcards to:
PROJECT FUTURES Postcard Campaign
c/o Somaly Mam Foundation
PO Box 4569
New York, NY 10163

Postcard Guidelines - Be sure to include:
"Dear sister"
Your name, age, and hometown
Something about you and your favorite things
Words of strength and encouragement
(Helpful hint: Think about what you would tell a survivor to inspire her and empower her for the future)

Tell Hotels to Help End Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking is not limited to street corners and underground brothels. It happens everywhere, even in hotels, and even in the United States.

Members of a gang in Virginia were recently indicted for allegedly trafficking girls for sex into homes and hotels in the Washington, D.C. area. A Dallas man forced two teenage victims to see clients in seedy motels. And recently, hotels have been busted for operating a sex trafficking ring with underage girls in a Wyndham hotel in California.

These incidents are not isolated. Hotels and motels can serve as convenient locales for illicit meetings, and survivors of sex trafficking have often reported seeing clients in such establishments. In this particular case in California, the hotel staff was allegedly aware of the problem and took no action to intervene, with some even lending help to the traffickers.

While this case is extreme, hotels still serve as a setting for exploitation and they are in a position to help with its eradication. Encourage hotels to sign the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism.  asking Wyndham hotels to sign the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism. Sign the petition here and learn more about The Code so you can support hotels that work to protect children from sexual exploitation.