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Top Story: 6 Month Review
June 2020: During the months of January to June, we've seen...
95 victims identified.
51 new survivors in our care.
1,339 frontline professionals trained.
2,136 hotline calls linked to trafficking.
We are so encouraged by these numbers, but we want you to meet one of the faces behind them. Meet Leslie*. Her life was changed because of your support.
Leslie's Story:
Leslie was looking for love and a stable life for her children. As a mother of two, Leslie worked extremely hard balancing two jobs and she loved her children more than anything. One day, she met a handsome man who made her feel loved and eventually promised her a better life and a steady job so she could save to support her family. Leslie wanted to give her children the best chance at life possible–so she decided to move and temporarily leave her kids with their father.
When she got there, they were living in hotels and one day, Leslie's boyfriend asked her if she would sleep with someone to pay for next week's rent.
She wasn't comfortable but didn't want to compromise her relationship or her family's future. After doing this a few times, her boyfriend started bringing other women around to do the same thing. She felt hurt, betrayed, and devastated–so she decided to leave.
After several attempts to leave and years of physical and sexual abouse, Leslie was finally uncovered by law enforcement and assisted to safety from her trafficker.
This is when Leslie's journey to restoration began.
She started working with A21, receiving trauma counseling and psychological services, and was eventually reunited with her children. It's the support of people like you that empowers survivors like Leslie to hope in freedom, wholeness, and a promising future.
April 2020: Amazon wish list providing Gift Baskets for survivors
Last year, through Amazon Wish List, our aftercare team provided Easter baskets for our survivors and their children because of the generosity of supporters like you. This year, we want to provide you an amazing opportunity again. With the current pandemic, our team is inviting you to provide COVID-19 Care Packages for our survivors and their families.
When you purchase an item from the A21 Amazon Wish List, the items are sent directly to our U.S. aftercare team in Charlotte, North Carolina where they will personally deliver the items to survivors.It's your support that reminds our survivors that people care about them, that there is hope in the midst of a crisis, and that they are stronger than any challenge they are currently facing.
Want to send a gift? Click here >
March 2020: Freedom starts with you.
As an abolitionist, you are what makes our work possible. For over 12 years now, we’ve seen the power that can lie in the actions of everyday people who dare to believe that slavery can be abolished. Our story has always been about the story of one–and how the one became many.
We’ve only just scratched the surface of the impact we, as a global community of abolitionists, can have when we all come together.
There are still millions affected by this global crisis–but when you give today, your action has the power to change the lives of human trafficking victims like Emilia, June, Dalila, and Paul, all around the world.
Learn more about their stories & join us in the fight against modern-day slavery >
March 2020: EQUIPPING PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN TO PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING
A21 has released Parent Guides for Kids and Teens. These guides are designed to help parents of young children and teenagers start conversations about human trafficking—what it is, how to identify it, and how to prevent it. These guides will also give parents conversation starters, topics, and tips and equip them with protective action steps to safeguard their child.
To Download the Parent Guides for Kids and Teens:
click here
March 2020: STUDENTS LEADING THE CHARGE IN RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT MODERN DAY SLAVERY
A21 is partnering with the CNN Freedom Project for #MyFreedomDay on March 11, 2020. #MyFreedomDay is a campaign that encourages students to raise awareness for modern day slavery.This day challenges us all to take a step back and recognize the freedoms we often take for granted--the freedoms that those trafficked don’t have--and to ask ourselves, “What does Freedom mean to you?”
Because of the students that have joined this cry, people from all over the globe have begun participating in #MyFreedomDay. Athletes, musicians, actors and actresses, and political figures have all joined this movement to fight human trafficking and celebrate freedom.
A21 will be organizing events with students and sharing our answers to the question, “What does Freedom mean to you?” on social media.
Will you join us?
Option One: Host an awareness event
Be sure to check out the A21’s education resources for materials to use in your school or community.
Option Two: Raise your voice on social media
• Print this sign (or create your own!)
• Answer the question: “What does Freedom mean to you?”
• Share your video and use #MyFreedomDay and @A21.
Grab your A21 Educational Resources >
The Power of Prevention
January 2020: Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Oleg* is a teenager from Ukraine. He was like many other kids his age–recently graduated and ready to explore the world in front of him. When he and 6 of his friends were offered jobs abroad, they accepted with the hope of pursuing a promising opportunity. Once they arrived, their new employer told them to hand over their passports and documentation.
But Oleg* and his friends remembered what an A21 presenter had taught them–to never give their passports away. Immediately, Oleg* became suspicious of his employer and he and his friends got away. They later found out it was a dangerous situation they had avoided.
This is the power of prevention. This is the result of what happens when one person decides to equip their community with knowledge and resources on human trafficking.
You're Invited to make your community aware & give a gift in honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
It's A Penalty
FEBRUARY 2020: Human trafficking Awarness at the SUPERBOWL
A21 is the founding partner of It’s A Penalty, a campaign that harnesses the power of sports to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse around the world.
At the official kick-off event in Miami, our team trained local professionals in the hotel and restaurant industry, on how to spot and report suspected cases of human trafficking.
This half-day summit included a panel with leading experts to join forces in the fight against human trafficking ahead of Super Bowl LIV in Miami.
Then, our team trained 500 volunteers in Miami on January 25 who went to over 400 hotels to distribute campaign materials that include the signs of human trafficking, chapstick and other items with hotline numbers, and the NCMEC missing children’s list.
A21 will also be at the SuperBowl breakfast where every attendee will be made aware of human trafficking. Several athletes including Usain Bolt, David Luiz, Aaron Rodgers, Andy Dalton, Liam Malone, Ryan Tennehill, Nick Foles, and many others are using their voices to speak up and help prevent the exploitation of children.
Will you join them by lending your voice?
01. Download the Super Bowl Kit
02. Share the Graphics on Social Media and use #ItsAPenalty and @A21
03. Show the It’s A Penalty video at your Super Bowl party
Download the Superbowl Media Kit >
Volunteers are key to seeing lives around the world experience freedom instead of slavery. 
There is something incredible about being a part of a global impact. Our volunteers are immersed in an environment where world-changing happens. Because they are world-changers.
Read Camryn's Story:
Want to be a part of it? Apply Now >
We are looking for people like you who are passionate about seeing freedom have the final word all across the globe.
What began 6 years ago...
New Beginnings –
... when A21 first put boots on the ground in Thailand is now bringing new beginnings to lives in Southeast Asia and around the world.
Because of you, the trajectory of trafficking in Southeast Asia is shifting-ending slavery for lives like Johnny, Leah, Chan, & Lena and beginning their journeys of freedom and restoration.
You can be the reason slavery ends and freedom begins.
"For The One" Merch Reminds Us Who We're Fighting For
Give a gift that counts this holiday season. With a new collection of t-shirts and, introducing, a sweat suit to our A21 store, you can make an impact every single day of the year!
11 years.
1,000 survivors.
11 years. 1,000 survivors.
This month, we are celebrating a huge milestone: more than 1,000 survivors have come through our care here at A21 in 11 years. That’s one survivor every four days.
Maria’s journey of restoration is just one of the 1,000 stories of hope, freedom, and justice YOU have made possible. And we believe there are thousands more stories like Maria’s to come because of your generosity.
What Unites Us All?
Walk For Freedom, October 19, 2019
A belief in freedom for every single human life. Human trafficking is robbing millions of basic human rights. And this October 19th, Walk For Freedom is our chance to come together and unite behind one cause.
Walk For Freedom is our global response to human trafficking–an outward expression of our inward desire to see slavery abolished everywhere, forever. It’s our way of telling the world that slavery still exists and that it will never be okay–not on our watch. It’s local & it’s global. And we can’t do it without you!
Still want to know what Walk For Freedom is all about?
Watch the “Walk For Freedom 2019 Details” video with Ben & Emily below!
Learn More about Walk For Freedom 2020.
Can You See Me? South Africa is now LIVE! This campaign exists to bring awareness to the millions of men, women, and children who are currently trapped in slavery.
Join us in spreading the word about human trafficking in South Africa by saving the images below and sharing them out to your friends.
Learn more about Can You See Me? South Africa >
Fundraising: The Easy & Impactful Way to End Slavery.
Did you know that for every dollar you fundraise, you’re directly impacting lives around the world?
With Each Dollar:
• Traffickers are prosecuted in Greece
• Victims are identified in Ukraine
• Children are protected in Thailand
• Hotlines are called in South Africa
• Lives are restored in America
We’ve made fundraising easier than ever by providing everything you need to get started. Through your Walk For Freedom fundraising page, you get a toolkit that includes:
• Fact sheet
• Freedom Report
• Press Release + supporting logo
• Imagery for social media
• Templates & an ‘Everything You Need To Know’ flyer to help you invite your friends and family, and to reach your goal!
Start fundraising today by logging into your A21 account > and make your Walk For Freedom impact even greater!
A Deeper Look into A21 Aftercare: What is a Freedom Center?
See more photos of our
A21 Freedom Centers >
Since the beginning of A21, we have aimed to provide effective aftercare for survivors of human trafficking that helps to restore hope, dreams, and possibilities for their future. Over the years, as we continued to build our aftercare programs, we realized the need for long-term care that helps survivors take steps toward healing and independence.
Once a survivor is identified or assisted out of their trafficking situation, they are often placed in an immediate shelter or safe house for the initial stabilization period. This could last from a couple of weeks to a few months. Our A21 Home in Greece assists with this kind of accommodation, in addition to our teams around the globe providing funding for both short-term and long-term accommodation.
A21 aftercare services are based around our Community Model, which provides survivors with next steps toward an independent life in their community. At the heart of this model, is our Freedom Centers.
Our Freedom Centers provide a safe environment for survivors to come and partake in programs and activities that help them take these steps: from job searches to counseling, to the simple expression of creativity, to language classes, to community-building.
We place our Freedom Centers very strategically, aiming to find locations where we have certain resources within close proximity to create the best environment for survivors to thrive and succeed. Some of the key things we look for include:
• Close travel time from their accommodation to the Freedom Center
• Public transportation options
• Access to great health services (hospitals, counseling services, etc.)
• Community support options where they can find healthy friendships (sports teams, religious groups, etc.)
• Affordable education
• Job availability
With these resources available, survivors are able to easily access different services, care, support, and training they need to achieve their goals, live independently, and reduce their vulnerability to revictimization. Since opening our first Freedom Center in North Carolina in 2016, we now have one in Greece and Bulgaria, and we have seen great success through them. Survivors are learning new skills, experiencing education, stepping into jobs, and creating the life they want for themselves.
To be a part of the life long change that is taking place through Freedom Centers, give today! >
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Bulgarian Freedom Center Opens!
We are so excited to announce the official opening of our Bulgarian Freedom Center! This will provide a place where trauma can be healed, community can be built, hope can be renewed, and dreams can be fulfilled.
Click here to learn more about Freedom Centers >
A Line Out: From Slavery to Freedom...
APRIL 2019:
Generous company donates $150K to A21, Matching Donations up to $300K!
Our latest campaign, “A Line Out: from slavery to freedom” focuses on our National Hotlines–a proven way to assist more victims trapped in slavery.
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Bulgaria:
Through this center, survivors will be able to partake in counseling, job searches, vocational skills training, language classes, creative arts therapy, and take steps toward full independence. It's because of supporters like you that we are able to provide spaces like this where survivors can journey toward and hope for a better future.
Greece:
North Carolina:
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Three Survivors of Sex Trafficking Now Free: 
One survivor was recruited from her home country for a job opportunity in Greece. Thinking she would be working in a cafe, she traveled to Greece and was forced into sexual exploitation under a false debt, threats, and violence. She was able to escape with the help of a client and reach out for help.
Two female sex trafficking survivors are also free from exploitation. The survivors were recruited through false promises of a better life and forced into prostitution. Bravely managing to escape, the survivors are now safe and receiving the assistance they need.
To help directly with our efforts to end trafficking, Sponsor Freedom today >
Court Case Victory in Ukraine:
The survivor was a victim of sex trafficking and was assisted to safety after she had made a signal to a passerby. This month, the court issued a verdict on her case and the traffickers were sentenced to five years in prison.
Human Trafficking Awareness Program Launches:
MARCH 2019
In March, we launched the Human Trafficking Awareness Program- a FREE resource to help you raise awareness and educate your community. The program includes a facilitator training guide, a downloadable digital workbook, presentation slides, and video series. So far we have seen 1,093 downloads to the program, increasing awareness across the globe.
Did you know that we were featured on My Freedom Day on CNN?
Read the full article here >
Amazon Wish List Gift Baskets:
Last weekend, our Freedom Sponsors and A-Team members purchased gifts from an A21 Amazon Wish List that our U.S. aftercare team made. The gifts were for Easter baskets that our team gave to survivors and their children in our care.
“Our survivors faces lit up when we handed them these baskets. They expressed how special they felt and had the biggest smiles on their faces. The overwhelming support we received from supporters has been absolutely heartwarming for our team. We could not do this without our Freedom Sponsors and A-Team members, and we are beyond grateful for the passion they have to step out and make a difference."
– Ali, North Carolina Freedom Center
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2018 Annual Freedom Report launches:
MARCH 2019
Our Annual Freedom Report features real stories of hope, victory, and restoration that happened in 2018. More survivors in our care, more court cases won, more traffickers sentences, more professionals trained, and more students reached, all because of your support.
As you read through this report, know that none of this could have been possible without you. With your help, we will continue to abolish slavery everywhere, forever.
Promised false jobs, deceived, and exploited in the southern part of Ukraine. But through the partnership of our team, local authorities, and other NGO's, all 94 were assisted to safety, and provided basic needs, food, toiletries, and other services.
Our team supported the identification and safeguarding of potential victims of trafficking on 13 targeted flight operations, alongside the UK Border Force and police at Gatwick Airport. These operations target pre-specified flight departures or destination countries, in which A21 supports law enforcement by conducting victim identification screenings with passengers.
Learn more about the campaign we operate in airports >
Refugees who come into Greece are extremely vulnerable to trafficking— in one day, we were able to identify and assist five victims of trafficking alongside the help of a partner organization. Our aftercare team was able to provide necessary psychological and physical support for each survivor.
in 2018 and were able to identify and assist 66 victims in Thailand. The youngest victim of trafficking we've assisted this year was only 2 years old. We are honored to be working alongside Thai Government agencies to continue protecting the most vulnerable.
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An elderly man:
Abducted from his home and exploited in Ukraine. His traffickers enslaved him for 10 years before he was identified and assisted. But today, he is free.
Promised jobs in Denmark– but instead they were kept in a trailer and forced to work long hours with little or no pay. After the men managed to escape, they called A21. Through coordination with a partner organization, we were able to assist them and they are now safely back in Bulgaria.
Three survivors in Greece:
Deceived by false promises and forced into the sex trade. Some were tricked by trusted family, friends, and neighbors. But now, they are free–and have the chance to claim their dreams back.
A Bulgarian woman was trafficked for 8 years
before she was rescued through a police operation. She was connected to A21 through our network of partner organizations, and today she is employed by our social enterprise, Liberty.
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ABOUT A21
The A21 Campaign, Inc. of 2781 W. MacArthur Blvd Ste B #605, Santa Ana, CA 92704, (a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation with corporation no. C3177696 and registered with the Registry of Charitable Trusts no. CT0171953). A21 is participating in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) with CFC number #11254.