GREETINGS FROM FOUNDER JAIDA IM
Dear Friends,
As we begin 2017, I would like to thank our wonderful supporters, pro-bono service providers, volunteers and staff members for their contributions to Freedom House and the abolitionist movement in the year just passed. Our trained advocates were featured speakers or provided informational materials at 74 events which were held in 11 different counties, reaching more than 10,000 community members.
Our annual Holiday Matching Grant Challenge was a tremendous success! Your financial gifts generated $205,000 to support local survivors with safe housing, food, clothing, mental-health services and educational opportunities. Every dollar helps program participants become independent and self-sufficient.
I hope you will join me at the Freedom House 8th Annual Gala on Saturday, April 29, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City. We will be blessed by hearing the testimony of a former program participant at The Monarch who now is attending the University of California. Her story truly is inspirational. Early-bird tickets go on sale on February 1st.
Until I have the opportunity to thank you in person, please accept my deepest gratitude for your commitment to make a positive impact in the lives of survivors of unpaid labor, domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation.
Blessings,
Jaida
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BECOME A FREEDOM HOUSE VOLUNTEER!
Training Begins on Saturday, March 4
Freedom House now is accepting applications for its upcoming volunteer training sessions for those who would like to serve the organization as an Advocate or work directly with survivors as a Shelter Volunteer. Advocate Volunteers attend a one-day session to learn about human trafficking in order to educate the public about the issues and how Freedom House is addressing the needs of local survivors. To be considered for one of the limited Shelter Volunteer positions, candidates must submit a completed application and undergo a LiveScan background check. Shelter Volunteer trainees must complete the required 40-hour training course before directly working with local survivors. To learn more about the volunteer program and to receive an application, contact [email protected].
Training dates are shown below:
Sat., March 4, 8:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. Advocates/Shelter Volunteers
Tues., March 7, 5:50 p.m. - 9 p.m. Shelter Volunteers
Sat., March 11, 8:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. Shelter Volunteers
Tues. March 14, 5:50 p.m. - 9 p.m. Shelter Volunteers
Sat., March 18, 8:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. Shelter Volunteers
Tues., March 21, 5:50 p.m.- 9 p.m. Shelter Volunteers
Sat., March 25, 8:45 a.m. - 5 p.m. Shelter Volunteers
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GALA TICKETS GO ON SALE FEBRUARY 1
The Freedom House 8th Annual Gala and Charity Auction is being held on Saturday, April 29, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City. Individual tickets, tables of 10 and sponsorship packages go on sale on Wednesday, February 1. The link to our EventBrite ticket page will be available on our website at that time. Tickets also may be purchased by mailing a check made payable to Freedom House at PO Box 2065, Burlingame, CA 94011. Limited early-bird pricing applies to the first 30 individual tickets and 10 tables sold ($125 per individual ticket and $1,250 for a table of 10). Regular pricing is $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of 10.
Freedom House needs your help in obtaining auction items for the Gala. If you own a business, kindly consider donating a package that can be offered for bidding. Or, if you have a favorite restaurant, retailer, travel destination or attraction, ask them to do the same. We also are seeking volunteers to help with marketing, ticket sales, sponsorship, and Gala-night support. Contact [email protected] if you would like to join the fun and assist the 2017 Gala Committee.
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ADVOCATE & SHELTER VOLUNTEER
Janet Norris
A resident of the East Bay, Janet Norris attended the 2011 Freedom Summit in Fremont, and said she was overwhelmed by what she heard at the event about the magnitude of human trafficking in the Bay Area. Recently, her church started a Freedom Fighters group, which is where she learned more about the Freedom House aftercare program. It didn't take her long to make the decision to go through the intensive training to become an Advocate and Shelter Volunteer. She enjoys building awareness about the issues and offering the program participants' beautiful jewelry at community events. Janet designed some "Freedom Fighter" shirts, and proceeds from their sale are benefiting Freedom House. She also is serving as a 2017 Gala volunteer, working hard to get new and exciting donations for the Gala's charity auction. Janet attended the holiday party at The Monarch and is looking forward to hiking and beach walking with survivors once the weather is better. Ultimately, she hopes to be a source of encouragement and support for local survivors.
Freedom House in the Community:
January 27 - SBCEHT Human-Trafficking Conference, San Jose
January 28 - Health Educators Workshop, Pleasanton
January 28 - Voices for the Voiceless March & Rally, Oakland
January 29 - Freedom Sunday, Novato
January 30 - Delta Sigma Chapter, UC Berkeley
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