Yoga Freedom Project

Yoga is rejuvenating, relaxing, and calming. But the yogi activists of the Yoga Freedom Project are not taking the fight against modern-day slavery calmly. What started as just a small idea in early 2011 has turned into a global movement using yoga practice as a way to raise awareness about human trafficking and funds for the Somaly Mam Foundation.

Heather Snyder first became aware and involved with the Somaly Mam Foundation when she read Somaly's book, The Road of Lost Innocence, three years ago. Somaly inspired Snyder with her courageous effort to rescue and empower victims and Snyder quickly began searching online for a way to help. Through SMF's volunteer initiative PROJECT FUTURES global, Snyder found an opportunity to join the fight.

"As the regional leader for NYC Off the Mat, Into the World, I am amongst an amazing group of yogis dedicated to service. I knew I had found my way in to help," Snyder explained. Through the effort of a team from PROJECT FUTURES and fellow volunteers, the Yoga Freedom Project came into being. In the month of January alone, there have been more than 50 donation-based classes around the world.

The month long yoga awareness project culminates on January 31 with a Practice for Freedom, an inspirational class and celebration led collaboratively by Elena Brower, Sri Dharma Mittra, Dana Flynn, Alan Finger, Cyndi Lee, Jodie Rufty, Sierra Bender, Tricia Donegan, and Off the Mat's Suzanne Sterling.

"All of these powerful teachers from varying yoga lineages are coming together to give a voice to this cause and stand in unity," Snyder explained.

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

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!

SMF Celebrates Gay Pride!

This past Sunday, just a few days after New York passed the Same Sex Marriage Bill, the streets were filled with the celebration of Gay Pride. Over two million people marched from 36th and 5th to Christopher and Greenwich Streets in a colorful parade. The Somaly Mam Foundation and PROJECT FUTURES global joined the LGBT community, human rights groups, and other supporters to celebrate equality and justice for all.

We walked in celebration with our dear friends Michael Angelo and Scott MacDougall, who were brought together by their passion for ending the child sex trade in Cambodia.

During one of their trips to the Cambodian shelters, a few girls asked if they had wives back home. They told them that they had chosen each other and were in love and to that the girls asked if they were married. When they replied no, the girls exclaimed, "You love each other. You have to be married." We are so happy to have been able to support them and the rest of the LGBT community.





Team FUTURES at the NYC Pride Parade



PROJECT FUTURES Global: Los Angeles Launch, July 23

Los Angeles is joining in and launching PROJECT FUTURES global on July 23rd at the SLS Hotel Beverly Hills. If you are in the area and would like to attend the event, check out the invite. Donated product for the auction and gift bags is still needed and we appreciate the support. Volunteers are also still needed and we would love for you to join the Los Angeles team and help with this sure to be amazing event!

PROJECT FUTURES global Launch

The Project Futures global New York launch event was an absolute success! Thank you to everyone who made it happen and attended the event. We raised nearly $20,000 and received hundreds of new commitments to joing the PROJECT FUTURES team.
Read some press coverage of the event in PAPERMAG, Vogue and WSJ.

New York Committee

Couldn't make the New York party? Join us as PROJECT FUTURES global launches in Los Angeles on July 23rd!