Gender Equality United States Project #9921

Build a Design Studio to Prevent Human Trafficking

by Compassion Connect

Project Report | Jul 17, 2013
Raising Awareness, One Advocate at a Time!

By Linda Tribbett | Director, Adorned in Grace Design Studio

Racing to find the Good Life

What do soccer, human trafficking and ice cream have in common? Design Studio girls and their mentors were invited to attend a sports event last week to find out.

Ambassadors Football, an international Christian organization, has developed a program to teach kids about human trafficking through a soccer game called, “The Good Life.” The goal of the game is to juggle the ball across the field with your feet, not allowing it to touch the ground. Because it is nearly impossible to do, coaches then encourage the kids to take the “easy” route. Once lured to the sidelines, they soon discover the exercises are not so “easy.” Only one out of more than 60 kids made it through all four stations of the “easy” route, only to discover she was now a recruiter for the trafficker and would never reach “The Good Life".

After grueling exercises and much deception, the kids were split into smaller groups and the coaches revealed the true purpose of the game. A scenario unfolds about “Susan,” a 14-year old, who begins dating a 19-year old guy who preys on Susan’s vulnerability and lack of self-esteem. The talk emphasizes the importance of recognizing unhealthy relationships, tricks and methods traffickers use to lure kids in and how to be an advocate for friends who are at-risk.

Prevention and awareness events don’t often yield immediate results but four of the girls from the Design Studio have since confided to their mentors over ice cream that they have girlfriends who may be victims of sex-trafficking. These new advocates and their mentors are prayerfully strategizing how to lovingly reach out to them.

We are excited that the completion of construction on the donated space will help us expand the capacity at the Design Studio and provide a safe and encouraging environment for victims of trafficking and at-risk girls. Thank you for your continued support for the Adorned in Grace Design Studio and the girls who come through our doors!

Advocates in training

Listening heart

Links:

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Apr 19, 2013
Dress for FREEdom!

By Linda Tribbett | Director, Adorned in Grace Design Studio

Beautiful, inside and out

Construction is underway on the donated space but our wonderful supporters aren't sitting back and waiting to minister to at-risk girls. Adorned In Grace and 76 gifted volunteers hosted their second annual Dress for FREEdom on Saturday, April 13, 2013 in Portland, Oregon.

For every 10 underage girls trapped in the world of sex-trafficking, 8-9 have been in the foster care system. The Dress for FREEdom event was an opportunity to reach out to girls ages 12-18 who are currently living in foster care, shelters, or working with a DHS caseworker. The goal of this event is to connect with young girls at perhaps the most vulnerable time of their lives to tell and show them that they are incredibly valuable, uniquely created and deeply loved. Caring volunteers encourage them to become advocates with us on behalf of their at-risk friends, family and classmates, rather than becoming victims.

During the event, 38 girls enjoyed a catered buffet complete with chocolate fountain, received a professional makeover and hair styling, picked out a semiformal dress to take home and even have custom, on-site alterations as needed. They had fun with nail art, made their own accessories and as a special memento of their celebration, each girl received a gift bag and her own professional photo package. All at no cost to them.

Each girl was invited to “adopt-a-dress”, choosing a gorgeous wedding or formal gown from another era that they will learn to re-design or repurpose through the Adorned in Grace Design Studio workshops. An Adopt-a-Dress kickoff is scheduled for May 4^th from 1-4 at the Compassion Connect Design Studio.

Two caseworkers reported that one of the girls they brought to the event had been in their shelter for 3 months and had never smiled. When they held the mirror up after having her hair styled, she broke into a huge smile that blew them away. It remained on her sweet face the entire day.

Two Design Studio leaders shared their own stories: one of being abducted, drugged and trafficked for two years in her early teens and the other of being born to a 13-year old victim of comercial sexual exploitation and raised in foster care. A long line of girls, many in tears, ran to hug them afterwards and could hardly let go. It meant so much to them that so many among the adult volunteers understood their pain and so many others gave selflessly so that they could be blessed and encouraged.There was a sweet spirit of humble thanksgiving on everyone's part.

Thank you once again for partnering with Adorned in Grace Design Studio and the Dress for FREEdom event. It is an honor and privilege to serve with you.

Sincerely,

Linda and the Team

P.S. Seven girls attend our regular after-school, weekly workshop. It is tight but we have a blast! It will be wonderful to have the new space completed so that we can spread the fabrics out and many more girls can join us!

76 Volunteers fully invested

Thankful to be created a woman

Links:

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Jan 19, 2013
Creativity Explosion!

By Linda Tribbett | Director, Adorned in Grace

Lovely Workshop Attendees

What an incredible meeting yesterday! But it was no easy task attempting to reign in and focus all of our wonderful, creative thinkers. It is especially exciting to see the increasing number of survivors who are joining us to prevent others from being victimized!

1) Priority: reinforce our outreach strategies to at-risk girls and build advocacy among youth in SE Portland through

continued weekly workshops
increase the number of leadership teams and workshops throughout the week
remain mindful and purposeful in developing relationships while bringing redeeming hope in Christ
maintain purposeful connections with DHS, schools, apartment managers, churches and businesses

2) Host a "Dress for FREEdom" event in March. Last year's event attracted 48 girls living in foster care or shelters along with their caseworkers and foster families. Youth group's from several churches collaborated to make the event spectacular. Christina shared her story and the girls were on the edge of their seats: very powerful. This year's event would add an adopt-a-dress element to encourage attendees to pick out two dresses: one prom or banquet dress to take home and one as their restoration project at a Design Studio workshop.

3) Hold a fashion show to raise awareness and fight trafficking through the Adorned in Grace Bridal and Formalwear in May or June. Incorporate a segment for re-purposed / re-created entries as an illustration of the hope that we communicate to the girls: the Great Designer can take the tattered fabric of our lives and transform it into a Beautiful Work of Art.

4) A professional architect is working on the build-out of the 2,400 sq ft of donated space and getting very close to securing the City permits to begin construction so that we can expand our capacity for working with the girls and holding these community events on-site.

Thank you for being a vital part of Adorned in Grace, Compassion Connect, Inc. and the Church as it reaches out to vulnerable and exploited women and girls. May the Lord continue to be Present through your love and faithfulness.

Sincerely,

Linda and the Team

Links:

AdornedinGrace.Org

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