A fabulous team of dedicated and incredibly hard-working volunteers gathered over one weekend last month to create a  music video for the song "Stolen", which was inspired by the story of a local trafficking victim and written by Brian Terry of the band 3 Minutes to Live. Brian also scripted and directed the video.

In front of the camera and behind the scenes were Kate Harris, Jamie Burton, Tina Newman, Marla Shelton, Amber Terry, Adam Wolfe, Brittany Bertoli, Isaiah White, Jerry Martinez, Megan Mitchell,  Kiersten Joyce Butler, Leslie Zellaya, Raymond Wolfe, and Samara Williams. Bill Harding was the hard-working videographer, producer and editor and Diana English graciously allowed us use of an apartment, where we shot on location.

This video shoot was grassroots activism in action, with many people using their skills and sphere of influence (students, make-up artists, musicians, and actors) to create a video with a powerful impact.

To see the the 'Stolen' video, and download the song, go to the 3 Minutes to Live website. 100% of proceeds from downloads go to NFSTN's anti-slavery work.

YOUR PART: YOU determine how effective these efforts will be in touching hearts and in raising funds. Please share the video with your friends, family, work colleagues and media connections.  Just send them the link : www.3MTL.com or forward this newsletter.

PLEASE NOTE: The video contains potentially disturbing images and is not suitable for children.

Tennessee State University was recently added to the campuses where Not For Sale has a presence, thanks to Dr. Roger Wiemers, who invited us to speak about human trafficking to his graduate level Global Education class.  

There were many potential influencers in the class, including educators and administrators - people whose daily lives bring them into contact with victims of human trafficking. According to Dr. Wiemers, these students are enthusiastic about the cause, and they continue to talk about modern slavery, using their Not For Sale wristbands as conversation starters, and utilizing their jobs to engage in the movement to end human trafficking.

We're thrilled to welcome our spring semester Belmont intern to the NFSTN team! 

Eyes Opened at Steamboat Bill's

NFSTN Director ,Derri Smith, spoke to a group of about 40 people at Steamboat Bill's restaurant in Hendersonville at an event hosted by the men's group of Hendersonville Episcopal Church. Church and community members, educators and administrators, pastors and a priest were among the attendees. A lively discussion followed Derri's talk, with many sharing stories of slavery they were aware of in our region and a truant officer telling about children made vulnerable by neglectful or absentee parents.

One pastor told about a girl in his church who had been trafficked, saying that had he known the red flags highlighted in Derri's talk, he might have saved the girl, because many of those indicators were present in her case.

Our special thanks to Opal Poe and Grace Oliver for orchestrating the evening and Bill Smith for running the projector.

What's lots of fun, involves shopping for unique, beautiful and affordable items ... and helps rescued slaves? A Freedom Party! These parties offer an array of items made by rescued slaves throughout the world, enabling them to earn a living and restore their lives. The more items sold, the more these businesses thrive, and the more survivors can be helped and healed!

This new initiative, named "The Freedom Connection", began in December with three events; two home parties, one hosted by Rebecca Moody and Kathryn Horn (who also oversee The Freedom Connection). The other was hosted by Marna Jane Bevill and Anna Raitt, and Anna held an additional event in her office, at United Methodist Publishing House.  This small beginning garnered almost $2000 in sales; enough to significantly help these survivor's businesses! 

At the same time, everyone who comes to the parties, and every recipient of a gift purchased at a party, gains awareness of the issue of modern slavery, and profits are donated to our local anti-trafficking work. Definitely a win-win-win scenario!

If you're interested in finding out more about hosting a Freedom party in your home, office, organization or faith community, please contact Rebecca Moody at party@notforsaletn.org.

We had another party too (NFSTN'ers like to party!) celebrating our first birthday at the monthly volunteer meeting, where we reminisced over the incredible growth during our first year.

NFSTN is working to make sure that every school library (high school and college levels) contains print and media materials on human trafficking/modern slavery, so the next generation is not ignorant of this global crime. We need one person per campus  to check to see what materials, if any, are available in the campus library and to mail us your findings. info@notforsaletn.org

We can then supply schools and colleges with appropriate resources based on your feedback. We look forward to hearing from you!