| Join Our List |  |
| Current Needs |
As we expand our client reach via new and increased personal and professional development
workshops the need for new personal care items, including beauty and nutritional products, increases. If you have any products or gift-certificates to donate please contact us at doantions@btff.org. |
| Opportunities |
We are currently accepting applications for grant writers and event fundraisers. See the opportunities page of our website for full job descriptions and send in your application today to help survivors lead thriving lives tomorrow! |
| National Human Trafficking Hotline | |
If you have reason to suspect that someone is a victim of human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline on (1-888-373-7888). Multilingual call specialists are on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are confidential.
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Dear Supporters,
It
is officially Fall and while its beginning to cool off outside its only warming up in the BTFF office. I am excited to welcome new volunteer staff members and see our team continue to grow in every sense of the word. Our office has truly taken another great step forward as we continue to grow as a team and in the community. Where does one begin when each day we achieve new heights! We are
thrilled that we are continuing to build partnerships with community organizations and within the corporate sector. As a newly established organization this support and recognition is key to our ability to sustainably aid survivors and raise awareness on the issues of modern slavery. However the true key to our growing success is our teams continued faith and passion for what we do. Our currently 100% volunteer-based staff has been working tirelessly, often above and beyond their volunteer commitments, to see that BTFF has a solid foundation and that survivors remain the focal point of all we do. I hope I will see you at one of our upcoming events so we can walk/run for freedom together!
Sincerely,
Cassandra Clifford
Executive Director and Founder
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| Bridge to Freedom Foundation News |
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New Partnership with Corporate Sponsor
BTFF's Executive Director and Founder Cassandra Clifford and WebbMason's Senior Client Services Coordinator Juanita Horton display the new t-shirt.here.  | BTFF is pleased to announce our newest sponsor WebbMason, one of the fastest-growing print and brand management service companies in the U.S. WebbMason has made a generous donation of BTFF's signature t-shirts. We are grateful for this support, which will allow us to further our fundraising, marketing, and general awareness. Buy your BTFF t-shirt now for only $20 just in time for the Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause and/or the DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk. For more information: Press Release.
Personal and Professional Development Workshops
BTFF has started to conduct its Personal and Professional Development Program's off-site workshops for organizations working with survivors or potential victims. These workshops include positive self-image, health, nutrition, resume building, interview skills, and more. All of these workshops build on the individual's ability to lead a sustainable and thriving life. Workshops are customized specifically to the individuals and groups participating. Contact Cassandra Clifford at cassandra@btff.org for more information and scheduling.
GoodSearch.com Contest - Download Toolbar and Support Us
Will you help BTFF win $1,000? GoodSearch.com is sponsoring a contest that will give an extra $1,000 to each of the five organizations that have the most toolbar downloads and $100 to each of the first 100 charities to reach 100 downloads! With the GoodSearch toolbar, every time you search online or shop at more than 1,500 stores, a donation will be made to BTFF. All you have to do is add our toolbar to your computer and make a difference with each purchase. Download the BTFF toolbar before the contest ends on October 31. For more information: GoodSearch Giveaway.
BTFF is currently accepting applications for board member positions. We are looking for individuals with a variety of backgrounds (Accounting, Marketing, Non-Profit Management, etc.), committed to the fight against modern slavery. If you are interested contact Cassandra Clifford at cassandra@btff.org. |
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Race for a Cause... Race for Freedom!  BTFF is gearing up for the 2010 Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause and hope you will join us for the 8k or the 1 mile Family Fun Run. Hear more about how your participation in the race will impact survivors from our Executive Director in this promotional video on our home page. Help BTFF leverage this as an amazing opportunity to build on our personal and professional development assistance to survivors. Sign-up today and choose BTFF as your designated charity!
Date & Time: October 17 @ 8AM - 8K Race and 1 Mile Family Fun Run to follow immediately.
Location: Map - The race will begin and end on North Quincy Street near the intersection of Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia.
DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk
 Join BTFF for the 2010 DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness and funds for the fight against human trafficking. It will include a walk, luminary speakers, information fair, and live music. This is a great way to get involved with the community and drive forward this movement. Register for the BTFF team today and walk towards a slave free Washington DC! Look for the BTFF team wearing BTFF's purple t-shirts.
Date & Time: October 23 @ 8AM-1PM Location: National Mall - Constitution Gardens - Constitution Avenue NW and 19th St. NW Washington DC Pre-Race for a Cause Happy Hour Fundraiser at Ireland's Four Courts in Arlington, VA Join us for some drinks to help raise funds for a great cause. This event will be to specifically promote our participation in the 2010 Acumen Solutions Race for Cause. We will be signing up runners to join us in this race. You will also be able to buy your t-shirts and/or other supporter products. In addition, we will have a raffle with various prizes. Happy Hour Specials include 1/2 price appetizers, $3 Miller Lite drafts, and $5 pints of Guinness. Come out to show your support! Date & Time: October 13 @ 5:30PM-8:30PM Location: 2051 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201 |
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MODERN DAY SLAVERY NEWS |
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Craigslist Closes US "Adult Services"
Following increasing pressure from numerous state Attorney Generals, Craigslist.com has shut down its Adult Services section. Craigslist pulled in over $30 million a year from the section (by charging $10 a posting), but was accused of facilitating illegal prostitution and sex trafficking. Craigslist covered the section with a "censored" label on September 4th and announced at a September 17th Congressional hearing on sex trafficking on that they would permanently close the section. Craigslist Adult Services is still accessible in other countries. Backpage.com, a similar website to Craigslist, is now facing the same demands to close their Adult section, but so far they have refused. For more information: Full Story and article on the issue by BTFF Executive Director and Founder.
New Jersey Trafficking Law Passes Senate Committee
New Jersey's Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed the bill on Thursday, September 27th. If signed into law, the bill would expand the current New Jersey anti-trafficking law by requiring the Attorney General to take steps to publicize the state's and federal's human trafficking hotlines. The bill would also mandate police training on responding to trafficked victims' needs and services available to them. New Jersey's hotline to report human trafficking is 877-986-7534. For more information: Full News Release and Bill
Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Supply Chain Bill into Law
Bill SB 657, also known as the "California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010" requires companies grossing more than $100 million a year globally to publicly reveal what they are doing to ensure that their supply chains are slave free. Many companies opposed the bill on grounds that it would be burdensome to business, but supporters point out that numerous companies have been sharing similar information for several years. For more information: Bill Text and Full Story. |
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TEAM CORNER |
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Social Media and Public Relations Intern - Mikhail Bell
 I coordinate social media interactions and public relations outreach. I am a Hamilton College graduate and World Politics major who first heard about human trafficking at a friend's fellowship presentation. Subsequently I pursued academic opportunities to study the issue in greater detail. Since graduating, I have worked with non-profit organizations in an administrative, communications, and research capacity. I plans to pursue an internationally-focused degree for his masters studies.
Evidence Based Research Associate - Mary Rankin
 I earned my B.A. in Health Promotion with a certificate in Global Health from the University of Northern Iowa, and my J.D./M.B.A., with an emphasis in Health Law, from Drake University. I practiced health care and corporate law in Bradenton, Florida for two years, before getting married and moving to Pensacola so that my husband could begin training as a Naval Aviator. I currently reside in Corpus Christi, Texas, and work as a Legal Research and Writing Specialist. I have been passionate about human rights and the anti-trafficking movement since my studies at Northern Iowa. As an Evidenced Based Research Associate, I will be researching various health and psychological issues experienced by human trafficking survivors. In the future, I plan to continue to use my legal training and knowledge to raise awareness about human rights abuses and to combat human trafficking.
For more information: Our Team and Opportunities |
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