During the month of September, Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition will host a series of awareness events and trainings as part of our 5th annual Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The HRRC believes an aware and educated public is the first step to eliminating human trafficking. Through these events we hope to educate and engage the community on the issue of human trafficking in order to rescue victims and prevent individuals from exploitation in the Greater Houston Area.
I SPEAK for Freedom
photo: Creative Commons
Join us on August 30th at 10AM in the Rotunda of City Hall to kick-off Human Trafficking Awareness Month 2011: “I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM”. Come and hear advocates from across the city and from various sectors speak out about the prevalence of human trafficking in our city and what they are doing to combat it and return victims to freedom. HRRC will also be receiving a proclamation signed by the Mayor of Houston officially declaring the month of September as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. All are welcome to attend. City Hall is located at 901 Bagby, Houston, TX 77002.
Refresh, Restore, Revitalize
September 8, 2011
Join HRRC at the Blow Dry Bar as they host a Hair Happy Hour as part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Manicures and wax services will be available on-site by Polished Day Spa in addition to the services provided by the Blow Dry Bar. Take a break to “Refresh, Restore and Revitalize” with the Blow Dry Bar and Polished Day Spa and in addition come to support HRRC with a donation towards our work to put an end to modern day slavery. The Hair Happy Hour will take place from 5 – 8pm at the Blow Dry Bar located at 3264 Westheimer (directly across the street from Lamar High School). To learn more about the Blow Dry Bar, visit their website.
California Pizza Kitchen FUNdraiser
September 9, 2011
HRRC will be hosting a carb-loading party for all our 5K participants as well as a mini FUNdraiser through our partnership with California Pizza Kitchen (CPK). Stop by CPK-Memorial City Mall any time on September 9th to enjoy some of their amazing food and 20% of the total bill will be donate to HRRC. You simply need to present your server with the HRRC FUNdraiser flier, click here to download the flier. You can also join HRRC staff as we host a carb-loading party for all our 5K participants on September 9th from 5 – 8pm at the CPK located at the Memorial City Mall (Katy Freeway and Gessner). Join in on the fun and enjoy all the delicious carbs that CPK has to offer.
I RUN for Freedom
Once again, we will be kicking off Human Trafficking Awareness Month with our 2nd Annual Big Dipper Dash 5K Fun Run/Walk, an evening event that pays homage to the slavery of old who escaped their situation by running North to freedom by looking up towards the stars to find the Big Dipper, which contains the North Star, the star that pointed them to freedom. This year the Big Dipper Dash is taking place on September 10th at 6pm at Tom Bass Park. Proceeds from this event will go directly to the outreach and educational activities of Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition. Join HRRC as we honor those who once looked up to the stars for their chance for freedom and those who still do today. This is a great event for the entire family!
Learn More Register 2010 Flashback
I VIEW for Freedom
The Human Trafficking Film Series is a weekly event taking place each Tuesday night during the month of September. Each Tuesday will highlight a different type of trafficking through separate films, special guest speakers, and calls to action. Each film will be hosted in a different location and will be free and open to the public. Please click here to view the schedule of films and further details including descriptions, location and time for each Tuesday screening.
I PRAY for Freedom
Join HRRC for Faith and Freedom Weekend (September 15th – 18th) as we unite all communities of faith in combating modern day slavery. We are holding events throughout the weekend where we will discuss the appropriate response of faith communities to human trafficking. We hope that all places of worship will join us this weekend by raising awareness about human trafficking within their community. We encourage faith communities to create a spiritual teaching which addresses the issue of modern day slavery to their congregation. To read more about the events, and to see how to get your congregation involved in Faith and Freedom weekend, view links below.
Learn More Register 2010 Flashback
I SEARCH for Freedom
Come join HRRC as we go on a scavenger hunt to different fair trade venues around the Greater Houston Area. We will explore the fair trade products available at major retailers, and visit GHA vendors dedicated to providing ethically produced products! Learn how easy it is to shop fair trade in our very own city. To learn more about this event and to sign up your team, view links below.
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I RAISE AWARENESS for Freedom
HRRC is proud to bring you our first annual Texas Abolitionist Workshop hosted at Christ Church Cathedral on September 24th. This workshop is an opportunity for abolitionists around the state of Texas and beyond to learn techniques and strategies for creating successful coalitions and engaging their communities in the fight against modern-day slavery. HRRC truly believes that the first step in combating modern day slavery is through an aware and informed community. HRRC along with experts from across the country will impart our knowledge about the issue to participants in hopes to create a broader, more dynamic modern abolitionist movement.
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I SHOP for Freedom
We have invited a variety of Houston-area Fair Trade and Made by Survivors vendors to display their products at our annual Shop Smart Event on September 25th hosted at the Dominican Sisters of Houston! Come enjoy the convenience of all your favorite fair trade shops in one venue. We will also host a mini seminar on labor trafficking and the type of consumerism that fuels it.
Learn More 2010 Flashback
I ADVOCATE for Freedom
This is a conference hosted annually by one of our partner organizations, Children At Risk. Join CHILDREN AT RISK on September 8, 2011 for their annual Texas Summit on Human Trafficking. This is a full-day conference that provides a unique opportunity to hear from a variety of leaders who are focusing their efforts to combat human trafficking. Attendees will hear from state legislators to learn what has been achieved during the 82nd Texas Legislative Session. Law enforcement will share their experiences as first responders to child trafficking victims they encounter on the street. Service providers and non-profit groups will present on the successes they have encountered and the challenges they have yet to face in providing services for these young victims and raising awareness. Location: Houston Community College: West Loop Center, 5601 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77081. To register for this event visit the Children At Risk event website.