June Newsletter

Dear Friend,

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!

Sincerely,

Signing of the TVPA

Rachel Lloyd
Founder & Executive Director
Girls Educational & Mentoring Services

GEMS Community Outreach

Recent Outreach

The GEMS Outreach team is collaborating with End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT USA) to produce a training video for medical personnel like doctors, nurses, and gynecologists on how to work sensitively and appropriately with CSEC/trafficking victims.

Shaquana and Rachel were guests on the popular Hot 97 radio program, Street Soldiers, hosted by Lisa Evers to discuss the case of Lawrence Taylor and how the media overlooked the issue of CSEC in their coverage of the case. You can listen to the interview here.

Partnerships + Projects

Shoe Revolt
Shoe Revolt is collecting new and lightly used designer shoes to sell in an online boutique, with half the proceeds going to GEMS. Shoe Revolt has received donations of autographed shoes from Melissa Brock of the band Superchick and Sex and the City star, Sarah Jessica Parker. To find out more about the company, founded and led by survivor Ateba Crocker, and to make a donation, visit: www.shoerevolt.com.

2010 Lilith Tour
The 2010 Lilith Tour, the celebration of women in music, launched “Choose Your Charity,” an audience engagement campaign run exclusively through the Lilith Facebook page. The “Choose Your Charity” campaign allows fans in the tour markets to have a voice in the selection of the local women’s charities that Lilith will support in each city.

Thank you for your votes that put GEMS in the second round for selection of NYC charity. Lilith organizers will choose the final winner in each city and donate $1 from every ticket sold to its chosen local charity. Lilith founder, Sarah McLachlan will personally present a check for the amount raised to charity representatives at each show on the Lilith Tour. Keep your fingers crossed!

Highlights & Happenings

Programming

GEMS has an ongoing partnership with The Emancipation Network, whose goal is to foster economic autonomy for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation through handmade products. GEMS members have just completed designs for several signature jewelry pieces and are about to determine which item they will produce along with ideas for fundraising, branding and marketing.

Success Story

Former GEMS member Tara* passed her two spring semester college psychology courses with an A and a B. She also earned her drivers license last month, and rented her first car Memorial Day weekend! Tara co-facilitates GEMS’ Survivor Voices group, which uses survivor experiences to inform agency’s work. In addition, she will be traveling to South Africa this summer to lead workshops on behalf of GEMS at the Man Up Young Leaders Summit to end violence against women and girls.

Training + Technical Assistance

GEMS presented at the ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) National Conference in Jacksonville, FL. An audience of law enforcement agents and legal professionals screened Very Young Girls, and then a short training was facilitated focusing on language and sensitivity, identification of victims, and best practices for engaging with CSEC youth. The training was a part of a 2-year grant from OJJDP (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention) to provide training and technical assistance to ICAC Task Forces throughout the country.