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| Outreach Opportunites |
Is your group or organization interested in learning more about modern slavery and BTFF's work? BTFF is committed to bringing awareness to the issues of modern slavery and share our amazing mission ensure survivors empowered to lead thriving lives. Contact us today to schedule a BTFF representative to speak at one of your upcoming events. Contact us at info@btff.org.
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| Current Needs |
As we expand our client reach via workshops through our personal and professional development programs, we are finding the need for new personal care items, including beauty and nutritional products.
We are also in need of netbooks, printer cartridges, paper, or gift certificates for office supplies. If you have any products or gift-certificates to donate please contact us at doantions@btff.org.
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| Call for Volunteers | |
We are looking for individuals who can help with grant writing and events. If you are interested, please contact us immediately.
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| 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 has been sometime since we last reached out to you with a full newsletter, Bridge to Freedom Foundation (BTFF) has been busy this year working to lay the foundation that will enable us to move from a 100% volunteer based organization to that of one with a full-time funded core staff. We have spent most of the last two years under a very limited capacity laying the foundation for our work., and while we are still laying that foundation, we are excited at how much we have achieved. BTFF is now in a unique position of growth and strength that will enable us to sustainably move to the next phase of our development and increasing our capacity to see survivors thrive!
I am continually amazed at what BTFF has managed to accomplish and the partnerships we have build across so many various communities, in such a short period of time. It seems fitting to me that I write this as we are only a few days before our biggest event ever, the Run for Freedom 5k, hosted by Foundation Fitness.
Over the past year we have been so blessed to expand our supporter network and these amazing new partnerships and events not only reinforce all of the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and supporters, but are truly the launching of what is to be a new and exciting phase of BTFF and that will open so many doors for countless survivors of modern slavery. Thank you for your continued support in working to ensure BTFF is able to provide key services to survivors to enable them to lead the lives they choose.
For more information: Bridge to Freedom Foundation
Thank you f or your support,
Cassandra Clifford
Executive Director and Founder
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| BRIDGE TO FREEDOM FOUNDATION NEWS | |
First Defense Martial Arts Center Chooses Bridge to Freedom Foundation as new non-profit partner 
BTFF is proud to announce that First Defense Martial Arts Center is our newest corporate sponsor. First Defense Martial Arts Center offers Northern Virginia (NOVA) a variety of Martial Arts for all ages and skill levels. They offer classes in Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Judo, Shuai Chiao - Kung Fu, and a unique Kids program. BTFF looks forward to bringing you more news and events from this unique partnership soon, so stay tuned for information on unique and key self-defense seminars and workshops. First Defense Martial Arts Center will be hosting an Open House on 4 June - 5 June, including a special Women's only seminar, see their website for full details. Please mention BTFF when you register from any individual seminar or class!
Bridge to Freedom Foundation Selected as a 2011 Capital City Ball Partner
 We are also delighted and honored to announce that we have been chosen as one of this years anti-trafficking non-profit benefactors for the 2011 Capital City Ball. We hope you'll join BTFF and our non-profit partners Courtney's House, WEAVE - Women Empowered Against Violence, and H.I.P.S. on November 19, 2011. Stay tuned for more on pre-ball events and exciting news regarding ball partners.
BTFF Executive Director Spreads Awareness Via the Air Waves Cassan dra Clifford, BTFF's Executive Director and Founder joined host Michale Fordam of Blog Talk Radios, A Measure of Truth. Cassandra has been a repeat guest of the show and was delighted to share the news of all our growth and up coming events. If you missed the show you can tune into the podcast here.
Executive Director and BTFF Featured in Recent Issue of P.E.A.S Magazine BTFF Director and Founder, Cassandra Clifford was featured in the February edition of P.E.A.S Magazine. P.E.A.S (Prevention, Education, Assistance, and Support) in Their Pods is dedicated to covering issues regarding abducted and missing children, including human trafficking, in the U.S., please see more on their website: http://www.peasintheirpods.com/index.
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| MODERN DAY SLAVERY NEWS | | |
S.596 - Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2011
Senators Wyden (D-OR) and Cornyn (R-TX) introduced S.596, the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2011, on March 16, 2011. View the bill text here. Our Senate champions are ready to fight to secure critical funds for domestic minor victims of sex trafficking. Your help is needed to secure additional sponsors for this important legislation! Read more
Congressional Briefing - Sex trafficking in our own backyards
Join BTFF and the anti-slavery community to listen to leading experts: Samantha Vardaman, Senior Director, Shared Hope International; Dr. Courtney Gaskins, Director of Program Services, Youth for Tomorrow; and T. Macy, Human Trafficking Survivor affiliated with the Rebecca Project.
When: 24 May, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Where: 2237 Rayburn HOB
Missouri Lawmakers Pass Human Trafficking Legislation
The Missouri House unanimously approved anti-trafficking legislation on Tuesday. The bill had unanimously passed a state Senate vote in April and is awaiting Gov. Nixon's signature to become law. The legislation would create longer prison sentences for traffickers, allow for a $250,000 fine, and require perpetrators to pay restitution to their victims. Read the full story here.
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| UPCOMING EVENTS | | | Run for Freedom 5k - Saturday, 21 May, Washington, DC
 Hurry and enter the Run for Freedom 5k, hosted by Foundation Fitness, before online registration closes on Friday. There will be on site registration, however please arrive early to We are excited that we have exceeded our goal of 300 registrants and have now opened the race capacity to 400 and we hope you will help this be our most biggest and most successful fundraiser to date.
Date: Saturday, May 21, 2011
Race Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Fletcher's Cove, 4940 Canal Road NW, Washington DC
Sleep-In for Freedom - 10 May - 31 May, Global On line
If you are unable, or just to tired, to join BTFF on May 21st for the RUN FOR FREEDOM 5K, then we are asking you to "SLEEP-IN FOR FREEDOM". You can still show your support without even hitting the snooze button, by donating to our online sleep-in campaign and pledge at least $20 to enable a survivor to attend a workshop.
Post Race Happy Hour - 26 May
 Join Bridge to Freedom to give thanks to all our race runners, volunteers, sponsors and host organization, Foundation Fitness for the Run for Freedom 5k a success! Donate $5 at the door and receive one raffle ticket and a free drink at the bar! Donate $10 or more and receive two raffle tickets and a free drink at the bar! All proceeds go directly to BTFF's work to support survivors of modern slavery to lead thriving lives!
Date: Thursday, May 26, 2011
Times: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Location: 19th Bar at 1900 I St NW Washington, DC 20006
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TEAM CORNER
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Are you looking to make impact the lives of survivors?
BTFF is always on the look out for dedicated volunteers to join our team. We are currently accepting applications for Interns and Fellows. We have many other Opportunities such as a need for Grant Writers as well as Fundraising and Events. For more opportunities and a volunteer application form please see our website.
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