Lurie Children's Hospital launching new e-newsletter, which will be published a few times a year and will provide updates on Lurie Children's activities in the community. If you are interested in signing up, please do so on their website at www.luriechildrens.org/neighbor

The 3rd Annual 5k Run Against Traffick, to be held this year on Saturday, September 7, will give attendees a chance to participate in raising awareness for the injustice of human trafficking in Chicago.

 

According to the Illinois Rescue and Restore Coalition, upwards of 25,000 women and girls are victims of commercial sexual exploitation in Chicago every year. The average age of entry into this life is now estimated to be as young as 11 years old. Once drawn into the life, the average future life expectancy is just seven (7) years. Combining sex trafficking, labor trafficking and domestic servitude, an estimated 27 million people are enslaved around the world - more slaves than spanned the entire 400 years of the transatlantic slave trade.

Traffick Free is doing something about it. We are working in an environment where we can celebrate innovative legislation like the Illinois Safe Children Act that immediately recognizes all those found engaged in commercial sexual exploitation under the age of 18 as victims; progressive collaboration like the weekly Law Enforcement Working Group that engages prosecutors, officers, and social workers to ensure that all cases are victim-centered and not victim-driven; and continued increase of trauma-informed services across the Chicagoland area.

 

In order to support our current education and awareness initiatives, as well as Traffick Free's long-term goals to run round-the-clock social services, we are asking hundreds of participants to go the distance, 3.1 miles to be exact. Their presence will help us fulfill our mission to provide the greater metropolitan area of Chicago with tools and sustainable programs to combat human trafficking and transform the lives of victims, perpetrators and communities.

Registration is now open for only $30.00 (until August 12th, which then goes up to $35) and includes a takeaway that participants can wear every day to remind themselves what they have accomplished and use as a conversation-starter to engage others in the issue. Goody bags will also include relevant material from several of our partner organizations. This is a family-friendly event from strollers to walkers! As an added bonus, those registering as a group will get the sixth registration free. All information, including the course map, can be seen at traffickfree.org/5k.

 

The 5k Run Against Traffick, born simply from the knowledge that we needed to engage a larger Chicago community, began in 2011 with only 500 participants. With the 5k almost doubling in size this year, and continuing to grow, we invite attendees to make this an annual event.

Save the date!

Participating venues and sponsors needed - send us an email to learn more 

 

Current Participating Art Walk Stops:

• Elephant Room Gallery
• William H. Bigham Gallery
• Framing Mode
• Urban Remix
• Overflow Coffee Bar
• Pianoforte
• Bottle & Bottega

Current Participating Food & Drink Specials:

• Weathermark Tavern
• Brasserie by LM
• M Lounge
• Artists Cafe