I am honored to be writing you this month on behalf of the staff here at GEMS.

June was a great month for GEMS!  We celebrated our spring Educational Initiative Award ceremony. This semester the ceremony was held on the beautiful City College campus. We honored 21 girls for their accomplishments in high school, GED programs, and college. Guest speakers included a member who earned her GED and is now registered for college, a member who finished her first year of college and advocates for children in foster care for NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services, and a GEMS staffer and former member who completed her Associate’s degree. They all spoke about the importance of education and talked about some of the struggles they have been through while staying focused and trying to achieve their goals.  It was so inspiring!

We also celebrated our 5th Annual End Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Day.  Members participated by reading letters addressed to girls who are still in the life. The letters were filled with hope, love, and encouragement and let girls know that there is a place called GEMS where they can come receive services and not be judged. Members also shared beautiful art work with the public that explained the many hardships they’ve been through.

I am very grateful to be celebrating these accomplishments with GEMS.  I look forward to continuing to help to empower girls and young women and end the commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children.

Thank you for all you do to support GEMS!

Sincerely,

Shaquana
GEMS Outreach Worker

GEMS Educational Initiative

At GEMS we know that education is a key component to economic security and independence for survivors.  Three years ago we launched our Educational Initiative program to give incentives to members who are working to further their education including those pursuing High School diplomas, General Equivalency Diplomas (GED), Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees, and vocational training certification.

This year, we have many reasons to be especially proud of our members in the Educational Initiative program!  One member earned her Associate’s degree, nine earned their GEDs, three graduated high school, one graduated junior high, three earned medical assisting certificates, and eight members who are enrolled in college maintained GPAs of 3.0 or better!

GEMS is looking forward to expanding our successful program in the coming year.

June Educational Initiative Ceremony

At the Educational Initiative graduation ceremony held at City College a few weeks ago, GEMS honored the accomplishments of Educational Initiative participants and issued them awards of achievement.  Writer, Fashion and Media personality and Harlem resident, Beverly Smith (E!, Oxygen, BET,VH1) served as Commencement Speaker sharing personal, inspiring and humorous words of encouragement to our 2010 graduates.  A big, big congratulations to all of our 2010 graduates and honorees!

GEMS Community Outreach

End CSEC Day
On June 26th, GEMS hosted the 5th Annual End CSEC Day in Central Park. The event was organized by the GEMS Youth Outreach Team to honor survivors and educate the public on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. The sun was HOT but we enjoyed an afternoon of fun including Hula Hoop, Double Dutch, quizzes, and a “Girls Are Not For Sale” T-shirt raffle to engage and educate GEMS supporters and passers-by who wanted to learn more about the issue.

Youth Outreach
GEMS participated in the Sistas on the Rise 4th Annual Young Mothers Resource Night along with several NYC organizations that provide resources, internships, jobs and direct services to young mothers.

Partnerships + Projects

Lilith Fair
GEMS was chosen as the New York charity in the 2010 Lilith Fair “Choose Your Charity Campaign”.  We will be at the event with an information table spreading awareness about commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. A huge thank you to everyone who voted for GEMS in this contest! Please drop by and say hello at the concert. For tickets and more info, visit: www.lilithfair.com

Call for Books and Documentaries
GEMS is seeking books and documentary films on a variety of subjects for our new library for the Educational Initiative.  The library will help members learn about, discuss and share their knowledge on various topics.  If you are interested in donating new or gently used books, or a relevant documentary (on DVD), please send them to:

GEMS Library
c/o GEMS
201 West 148th Street, Ground Floor
New York, NY 10039

Highlights & Happenings

Members on the Move!
A big CONGRATS to Nicole* for finding employment as a Youth Advocate at YOUTH POWER!, a New York State non-profit that works diligently to provide for families of children and youth with emotional, social and behavioral challenges.

Diamond of the Month
Renee’s* self-motivation and attainment of her goals have been an inspiration to her peers. Recently, Renee was hired as an Outreach Worker with the Human Rights Coalition.  She also participated in a Black College Tour in order to review her options for higher education. She is pursuing her dreams and successfully working through personal obstacles.  Congratulations Renee, a GEMS Diamond of the Month!

GEMS in the News

Our mission at GEMS is to support our members so that each one can develop to her full potential. That mission came to life at our Talent Show last month where members’ talents were showcased, including wonderful poetry, spectacular dance, fashion, cutting-edge hair styles, beautiful song, and engaging theater — they wrote and performed an original play. It was an exciting and magical night! The dedication, focus and teamwork displayed by everyone was so inspiring.

Last month, Youth Outreach Team member Shaquana and I participated in a Congressional hearing on domestic sex trafficking of children. While at the capitol we had the honor to meet Ms. Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama!  It is encouraging to see our advocacy reaching change makers at the highest level.

I am excited to announce that during the months of July and August, for the first time in 12 years, I will be taking a sabbatical from my day to day responsibilities at GEMS.  I am confident that GEMS’ growth and stability, strong staff, and competent senior team will ensure that we continue to provide the high quality services the agency has earned a reputation for.  My time away will give me a chance to renew my commitment to our work, devote energy to strategic thinking and reflect on the future of the movement to end CSEC.  I am looking forward to reconnecting when I return!

As always, thank you for your interest in our work and for everything you do on behalf of GEMS!

GEMS Community Outreach

Highlights & Happenings

GEMS In the News

Bronxnet TV – explores GEMS and Human Trafficking in NYC

- Bronxnet TV

Hot 97 Street Soldiers – May 16 episode on Lawrence Taylor + Human Trafficking of Children

- Hot 97 Street Soldiers

Contact: Muhammida El Muhajir

muhammida@gems-girls.org | 718.496.2305

New York Laws at Work:

The New York Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act Protecting NYC Youth

A few weeks ago, Lena Brown*, a 16 year old victim of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking was exonerated by Queens Criminal Court Judge Serita.  The New York City teenager faced criminal charges and detention after being arrested for solicitation of prostitution.  She was then recommended to GEMS: Girls Educational & Mentoring Services, the nation’s largest organization providing supportive services to commercially sexually exploited and trafficked girls and young women ages 12-21.  GEMS advocated to the court on Ms. Brown’s behalf citing The New York Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act, the landmark legislation that recognizes children under the age of 18 in the commercial sex industry as victims and provides comprehensive services in lieu of prosecution and incarceration.

“16 year old Lena Brown* was GEMS’ first client whose criminal case has been successfully impacted by the Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act. Since the legislation has only been in effect since April 2010 and many in the legal field are unfamiliar with it’s breadth, I thought at best, Ms. Brown’s case would be transferred to Family Court and she could avoid incarceration.  I was thrilled to learn that the judge exercised the full extent of the law and not only dismissed the client’s case, but also sealed her file,” says Zena Watson, the GEMS Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) Coordinator who serves as a liaison between GEMS and New York City’s Criminal Courts.

The New York Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act was signed into law by New York’s governor, David Patterson in 2008, and went into effect April 1, 2010 mandating services such as safe houses, crisis intervention and community-based programs for survivors and authorizes training to law enforcement officers on identifying and assisting commercially sexually exploited youth.

“New York Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act finally recognizes exploited American children as victims of trafficking just as their foreign counterparts. The bill is the first of its kind in the nation and sends a strong message to the rest of the nation that New York State views the commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of children as a heinous crime against children, not one that is committed by them,” says Rachel Lloyd, GEMS founder and executive director who along with many young women and girl survivors of GEMS, advocated for several years encouraging lawmakers to enact this law with trips to Albany to speak with legislators, presenting at the nation’s first youth-led legislative briefings on the issue, testifying at City Council hearings, and participating in three Annual End Commercial Sexual Exploitation Day events to build community awareness for the issue.

Since the passing of the Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act, several other states have followed in New York’s footsteps to protect sex trafficked youth including Oregon and Texas.

“I must thank and honor the young women and girls from GEMS for advocating for their peers. They have used their voices and power to work to change the status quo for all survivors in New York State and potentially across the country,” adds Lloyd who incorporates leadership and advocacy training as essentials tools in transforming and empowering survivors to develop to their full potential.

Read an excerpt of GEMS letter to Queens Court here:

“The justification behind the Safe Harbor Act is that the overwhelming majority of sexually exploited youth have a history of psychological, physical, and/or sexual abuse as younger children and many have been raised amidst stark poverty and family dysfunction.  The response of prosecuting a sexually exploited youth as a criminal is ineffective since it serves to re-traumatize them and increase their feelings of low self-esteem.  This only makes the process of recovery more difficult.  Sexually exploited youth should not be prosecuted under the penal law for acts of prostitution but instead be given services that will meet their needs outside of the justice system.  According to the Safe Harbor Act, sexually exploited youth deserve the protection and services of the family court through processes in place for persons in need of supervision, including diversion, crisis intervention, counseling, and emergency and long term housing services.  Based on the Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act and Ms. Brown’s * protection under this act, I am therefore requesting her case be transferred to Family Court so that she can receive the appropriate services she needs to remain free from commercial sexual exploitation.”

April was another busy travel month!  In addition to the Ashoka Future Forum in Washington DC, I also attended the Women’s Funding Network National Conference in Denver, CO.  It’s the largest annual event of it’s kind, with more than 400 philanthropists, grantmakers, community leaders and social entrepreneurs from six continents dedicated to investing in women and girls. It was inspiring!

While in Denver, I learned I was being honored by The Administration for Children’s Services New York as a part of Child Abuse Prevention Month. GEMS Youth Outreach worker Cynthia accepted the Advocacy Award on my behalf for our efforts to protect vulnerable children and families in our City.

This Mother’s Day, I am listening to the GEMS anthem, “This is To Mother You,” a song donated to the agency by Sinead O’Connor and performed by O’Connor, Mary J. Blige and former GEMS member Martha B.  I worked again with filmmaker David Schisgall (Very Young Girls) to produce a music video for the song whose lyrics reflect the way we feel about the young women and girls we serve at GEMS: protect them, nurture them and support them.

In May, I will be advocating for CSEC survivors at the Office for Victims of Crime Conference on Human Trafficking in Washington, DC and at the Prime Movers New Fellow Conference in Boston.  I am also looking forward to accompanying GEMS Youth Outreach Worker Shaquana as she testifies at a congressional briefing on Domestic Trafficking in Washington, DC.

As always, thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement for the work we are doing here at GEMS!

Sincerely,

Rachel Lloyd

Founder & Executive Director

Girls Educational & Mentoring Services

Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day, GEMS is celebrating the beauty and worth of all women and girls.  Last month, we invited supporters to submit a favorite photo with a mother, daughter, or other amazing, influential females in their lives for a chance to be included in the official “This is To Mother You” music video. The music video, like the song, recorded by Sinead O’Connor, Mary J. Blige and former GEMS member Martha B. will be used as a tool to spread awareness and honor the many individuals who help in the fight against the commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of girls.  We received so many beautiful pictures from our friends that we had to create this video in the meantime!

Watch the supporter generated video! Click here to buy the song.

GEMS Community Outreach

Recent Outreach
GEMS’ Youth Outreach Workers have been out in the community talking to the public about the commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of girls.  Some recent highlights include:

• All Black Radio 91.7 FM Community Radio: GEMS Outreach Worker Shaquana was a featured guest where she talked about CSEC and domestic trafficking. The station manager suggested GEMS host their very own radio show.  Hmm… GEMS Radio, not a bad idea!

• The United Nations: GEMS Youth Outreach Worker, Sheila spoke on a panel exploring social exclusion at The United Nations Division of Social Policy and Development, Civil Society Forum: Voices of the People: Civil Society Speaks. Here is an excerpt of her speech: “As a victim I was invisible. When I was in the life I worked around 42nd Street. One time,  my pimp caught me sleeping in the Port Authority bathroom. He had forced me to work for two days straight with no food, and when he found me sleeping he beat the crap out of me in front of all of the people at Port Authority – the cops, the cabs, everybody – and nobody tried to stop him, or asked me if I needed help. He dragged me through Port Authority and out the building. I was bleeding, my shirt was ripped, and nobody  helped me. After something like that, you really feel like nobody sees you. You feel like this is only happening to me. You can’t imagine it happening to someone else. There’s a police station inside Port Authority, but no cops helped me or arrested my pimp. Nobody did anything. I know firsthand that CSEC victims are socially excluded from their families, from education, medical and counseling services, and protection by the law. All of the things that everyday people have access to and take for granted are things that more than 300,000 youth in the U.S. don’t really have access to. The invisibility of so many youth highlights the need for services for CSEC victims in the United States.”

The Office of Strategic Initiatives at the Port Authority recently reached out to GEMS to collaborate with the agency to improve conditions at the Port Authority through our Outreach initiatives.  We are looking forward to partnering with them to help end the commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of girls.

Highlights & Happenings

Educational Initiatives: Intern for a Day
After a successful Career Day last fall when GEMS members were introduced to a variety of career options from professional women, the concept was recently expanded into a one-day internship where members spent the entire day shadowing a female professional.

GEMS’ Alternative to Incarceration (ATI) Program
We have a new partnership with Brooklyn Criminal Court.  The ATI program is a part of GEMS’ court advocacy efforts to provide defender-based alternative sentencing services and support for young women ages 16-21 who are survivors of commercial sexual exploitation involved in the criminal court system within the boroughs of New York City on matters related to prostitution and correlating arrests.

GEMS’ ATI Program ensures that all young women arrested for prostitution are afforded the opportunity to connect with supportive services within the community that can assist them in exiting and recovery.  GEMS’ ATI Program provides court advocacy efforts to Midtown Community Court, Bronx Community Solutions, and now Brooklyn Criminal Court.

New Programming: Mommy & Me
Mommy & Me is a support group for GEMS members who are either pregnant or parenting. The group uses Cassandra Mack’s, MSW The Single Mom’s Little Book of Wisdom curriculum, which is geared to empower young mothers and mothers to be in various areas of self-care and parenting using six core themes: affirmation, devotion, personal pledge, reflective reading and journaling, questions to ask oneself and action steps.

Diamonds of the Month

GEMS’ Diamond of The Month program highlights members who are making significant progress in their personal development. Diamonds are nominated by GEMS staff and those selected are featured on GEMS’ Community Wall.  This month we added two members:

Lillian
Lillian has been a GEMS member for almost 2 ½ years.  Since arriving, she has been working towards achieving her goals and being a positive inspiration for her peers. While residing in GEMS housing, Lillian obtained employment and saved enough money to move out on her own while working diligently with her lawyer from Urban Justice to obtain her T-Visa. Lillian has also actively pursued her artistic interests by attended acting, vocal and dance classes, with the hopes of beginning college soon. Lillian has accomplished so much through her hard work and commitment.  She is an inspiration to everyone at GEMS!

Jennifer
Jennifer exemplifies the essence of what GEMS works to achieve. With maturity and a sense of self, Jennifer takes every opportunity to learn and grow from her past experiences. Two months after coming to GEMS, she started classes at Mission College as a Marketing and Advertising major. Presently living in California, she hopes to return to NY to enroll at FIT. Jennifer recently created a personal plan for herself, which has not only strengthened her focus but given her a visual of the steps needed in order to accomplish the goals she has set for herself. Aware of her beauty, worth, and potential for future success, Jennifer represents what it means to be a GEMS Diamond of the Month.

GEMS In the News

News

Join GEMS in the fight to hold Craigslist accountable for profiting from the trafficking of girls.  Click here to read the open letter from GEMS founder and Executive Director Rachel Lloyd to Jim Buckmaster, the CEO of Craigslist.  Then click here to sign the petition.  To read recent press about this issue, please check out:

“Gambino Mob Meets Craigslist? Trafficking Women Online for Sex Say Authorities”

- CBSNews.com

“Is Craigslist a Pimp?”

- HuffingtonPost.com

“Craigslist is Subpoenaed Over Sex Ads”

- NYTimes.com

Media

“Sex Ads Seen Adding Revenue to Craigslist”

-NYTimes.com

Rachel on the Radio

- Power 105 Radio Community Show

“This Could Happen to Anyone” In NCFY’s award-winning latest podcast, a GEMS member who was commercially sexually exploited at age 17 talks about how she became a victim of sex trafficking and was able to escape her trafficker with the support of GEMS.

- National Clearing House on
Families & Youth

Dear Friend,

The last two months brought an intense travel schedule with a Senate hearing in Washington D.C. in February and three weeks of trainings across the country in Atlanta, GA; Oakland, CA; San Bernadino, CA; and San Diego, CA.  I had the opportunity to work with some amazing people at Georgia Care Connection, MISSSEY and STARS.  It is exciting to see survivor informed services and survivor leadership becoming much more prevalent in communities addressing CSEC.

After returning from the road, I was surprised with best birthday party ever at GEMS! A few of the girls expressed their love with incredible presentations. Sheila, one of GEMS’ outreach workers who joined the agency at 15, and a talented artist and writer, presented me with this beautiful painting and an accompanying poem. It was the best gift I’ve ever received. It is so rewarding to witness the impact GEMS has made on girls over the last twelve years.  I feel so privileged to be in their lives.

As an Ashoka Fellow, this week I am participating in the Ashoka Future Forum in Washington D.C., joining the country’s foremost social innovators to envision the future of our society and to catalyze large scale, collaborative social change.

From witnessing change in individual girls’ lives, to supporting change in communities across the country, to working towards large scale social change in ending CSEC, your support makes all of our work possible.  We couldn’t accomplish all that we do without you.  Thank you!

On Friday, April 1, 2010 the New York Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act went into effect making New York the first state in the nation to pass a law recognizing children under the age of 18 in the commercial sex industry as victims of commercial sexual exploitation and providing commercially sexually exploited children under the age of 16 with comprehensive services in lieu of prosecution and incarceration. This landmark legislation, signed into law by New York’s Governor Paterson in 2008 mandates services such as safe houses, crisis intervention and community-based programs for survivors and authorizes training to law enforcement officers on identifying and assisting commercially sexually exploited youth.

“New York Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act recognizes exploited American children as victims of trafficking, the same as their foreign counterparts. The bill is the first of its kind in the nation and sends a strong message to the rest of the nation that New York State views the commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of children as a heinous crime against children, not one that is committed by them,” says Rachel Lloyd, founder and executive director of GEMS, Girls Educational & Mentoring Services.

Lloyd and the young women and girl survivors of GEMS advocated for several years, encouraging lawmakers to enact this law with trips to Albany to speak with legislators and present at the nation’s first youth-led legislative briefings on the issue.  Additionally, GEMS survivors testified at City Council hearings and participated in three Annual End Commercial Sexual Exploitation Day events to build community awareness for CSEC.

The GEMS Outreach Team is educating the public and generating awareness on the issues of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking at schools, churches, community and political organizations.In February, GEMS outreach workers presented on both a UN panel and before the US Senate.  Sheila discussed social exclusion and trafficking victims at the UN’s “Voices of the People” panel.  Shaquana offered testimony at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing “In Our Own Backyard: Child Prostitution and Sex Trafficking in the United States.”

In March, outreach worker Ericka participated in a panel discussion presented by the Man Up! Campaign to discuss ending violence against women and girls.  Man Up! brought together the worlds of journalism, hip hop, social justice, sports, film and fine art for the panel. Ericka was invited by artist and activist Vanessa Chakour who teaches a weekly boxing class for GEMS members.

Additional recent youth outreach commitments included: NYU’s Women’s Herstory Month Event, Fordham University’s 6^th Annual Women’s Symposium and a youth awareness presentation at Forest Hills High School. These speaking engagements underscore the powerful outcomes of survivor leadership in the fight to end CSEC and domestic trafficking.

__________________________________________________________________________________

]]> http://www.gems-girls.org/featured/april-2010-newsletter/feed 0 http://www.gems-girls.org/news/gems-seeks-mothers-and-daughters-for-%e2%80%98this-is-to-mother-you-music%e2%80%99-video http://www.gems-girls.org/news/gems-seeks-mothers-and-daughters-for-%e2%80%98this-is-to-mother-you-music%e2%80%99-video#comments Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:26:27 +0000 gemsadmin http://www.gems-girls.org/?p=901 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: muhammida@gems-girls.org 718.496.2305

GEMS Seeks Mothers and Daughters for ‘This is To Mother You Music’ Video

Mary J. Blige and Sinead O’Connor’s Mother’s…

Contact: Muhammida El Muhajir

718 496 2305 | muhammida@suninleo.com

Demi Moore wins $250,000 Grant in Pepsi Refresh Celebrity Challenge

to support NYC Human Trafficking Organization, GEMS

Girls Educational & Mentoring Services

New York, N.Y., March 1, 2010— Actress Demi Moore secures victory over actor, Kevin Bacon to win the Pepsi Refresh Celebrity Challenge and Demi’s selected cause, GEMS: Girls Educational & Mentoring Services will be awarded the top prize of $250,000. GEMS is the nation’s largest non-profit organization designed to empower American girls and young women, ages 12-21 who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking.

A committed anti-trafficking advocate, Demi unleashed the power of her social media network to get out the vote for her cause to benefit GEMS.  “The Pepsi Refresh Grant will allow GEMS to train 10 former victims as outreach workers and employ them to go back to their community and refresh the lives of thousands of victimized girls.  I believe the work that GEMS is doing is nothing short of heroic!,” says Demi who along with her husband, Ashton Kutcher, launched The DNA Foundation committed to protecting the freedom of the world’s most vulnerable citizens by forcing sex slavery out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

“I am thrilled that GEMS has gained powerful allies in Demi Moore and The DNA Foundation and honored to be the beneficiary of a Pepsi Refresh Grant.  The grant will support us in the important work of transforming survivors of domestic trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation into future leaders. This transformation is most evident with GEMS Outreach workers, young women who advocate for  legislation to protect other young victims, challenge misperceptions of survivors and educate and support peers and at-risk girls,” says Rachel Lloyd, GEMS founder/Executive Director.

“I am excited that GEMS won the Pepsi Refresh grant.  As a GEMS Outreach worker, I travel to juvenile detention facilities, group homes, and schools, to educate girls on the issues of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. This is very important to me because often girls have no idea what really goes on and if I can reach them before an exploiter ever does they will know the truth of what that life really offers. I let them know that if they have been a victim of trafficking, GEMS is a place where they can get help and wont be judged,” says Shaquana who was forced into the sex trade at 14 and with the support of GEMS, graduated as high school valedictorian and is now a college sophomore.

Pepsi will also award $100,000 to support Kevin’s cause, SixDegrees.org, which will distribute thousands of $20 SixDegree.org Good Card, a gift card which they can use to support a charity of their choice. Demi and Kevin’s ideas are one of hundreds that have been submitted from around the country for a chance to win some of than $20 million available from the Pepsi Refresh Project.

Pepsi Refresh Project

In an effort to support those who generate innovative, optimistic ideas, the Pepsi Refresh Project (www.refresheverything.com), will award more than $20 million in 2010 to move communities forward.  Individuals can apply for grants to benefit a variety of projects and site visitors can vote for the best ideas for funding.  The Pepsi Refresh Project is an evolution of the Refresh Everything initiative Pepsi launched in 2009, which showed the brand as an optimistic catalyst for idea creation, leading to an ever-refreshing world.   Pepsi will fund projects that make a difference in six categories: Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education.

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PEPSI REFRESH PROJECT OPENS FIRST VOTING SESSION TO PUBLIC WITH MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO BE AWARDED IN FEBRUARY FOR IDEAS THAT MOVE WORLD FORWARD

Demi Moore and Kevin Bacon Join Campaign with Their Own Refreshing Ideas

“The Pepsi Refresh Project puts the financial resources in the hands of those who are passionate about creating a better world. I am very pleased to be a part of this creative initiative to refresh our world,” said Demi Moore. Moore will campaign for her own Pepsi Refresh Idea as part of the Pepsi Refresh Celebrity Challenge in support of GEMS – Girls Educational & Mentoring Services. The grant would provide support to outreach workers who help women who have experienced sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking integrate back into society as healthy, safe, productive individuals.

Read full release

President Obama has also proclaimed January National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Read his Presidential Proclamation on the White House website.

On this day, organizations across the country will take the opportunity to educate thousands of people about the realities of human trafficking. What will YOU do to spread the word?

5 Things You Can Do:

1. Host a Viewing Party for Very Young Girls on January 11th.

2. Inspire 10 Friends to buy This Is to Mother You on January 11th to fund services for young victims of sex trafficking in America.

3. Write a letter to your local paper urging them to report on the lack of funding for victim services. Read the LA Times recent expose about this important topic and urge your paper to investigate the issue in your town.

4. Buy a Girls Are Not for Sale T-Shirt and wear it on the 11th. Have one already? Donate $11 to GEMS instead!

5. Sign the Petition launching on January 11th calling for greater attention to the needs of domestic victims of child sex trafficking.

We can’t end child sex trafficking in one day, but we can all do #JustOneThing on this day to grow the movement of concerned people who have a vision for a day when girls are celebrated – not sold.