I just posted this on Facebook. I figured I'd post it here too!
According to Benjamin Perrin, author of (the most amazing book on trafficking in Canada) Invisible Chains, Ontario has the most international victims of human trafficking within it's borders. Unfortunately, Ontario is also one of the least equipped provinces in dealing with this atrocious crime.
A courageous woman, Timea Eva Nagy, who happens to be a survivor of sex trafficking here in Ontario herself, created an organization called Walk With Me. Timea speaks to law enforcement and partners with them when they're dealing with women who have been rescued from the grips of their traffickers here in Ontario.
Walk With Me also operates a safe house (I'm pretty sure it's the only one in Ontario at the moment, but don't quote me on that one) that takes in these victims of sex trafficking. As I'm sure you can imagine, it takes a lot of work to keep these girls safe and literally walk with them on their journey to freedom.
That being said, a survivor of sex trafficking that has been involved with Walk With Me has organized a fundraiser for them. The goal of this fundraiser is to raise enough money to keep the safe house open for another year, and possibly even raise enough money to begin to pay some of the staff. (Have I mentioned that pretty much everyone who works day and night to rescue these girls and walk with them are volunteers?!)
Before I mention the cost of the ticket, I want you to keep in mind everything that I just said.
The cost of the ticket is $50. The event involves a four-course meal, a silent auction, many stories of survivors of trafficking, and entertainment provided by many fine, Canadian artists. As well, Francois Mulder is premiering a song based on a true story.
The ultimate goal of this fundraiser is to raise $20 000. They're hoping to sell at least 500 tickets because even if people didn't donate on top of that, they'd still have enough to cover the expenses.
The event is being held at Carmen's Banquet Centre on Sunday, November 13, 2011 starting at 4:30pm.
This is my appeal to you. Please come to this event. Don't think of it as just a fun night out. Think of it as an investment. An investment in the lives of these women. An investment in the future.
I do understand that many of you are students, or have a limited income...or maybe you don't even live in the area. If you honestly can't get the money together for the ticket, there are other ways you can support Walk With Me as well. They are always looking for gift cards to places like Tim Hortons, Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, Zellers, etc. Also, a great thing to donate would be gas cards for when the volunteers are driving to the next place that there is a girl who needs to be rescued.
The website for the fundraiser:
Journey to Freedom
The website for Walk With Me:
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