3 Critical Facts About Labor Trafficking We Can’t Ignore

3 Critical Facts About Labor Trafficking We Can’t Ignore

by | Jul 8, 2020 | Uncategorized

 There are an estimated 313,000 victims of trafficking in Texas, and a whopping 75% of them are experiencing labor trafficking. It’s time we talk about them. We need to make sure our conversations and our actions are centered as much on justice for victims and survivors of labor trafficking as they are on victims and survivors of sex trafficking.

1. Labor Trafficking Afflicts Every Corner Of The Globe

Labor trafficking—when someone is physically forced, threatened, or tricked into working–afflicts every corner of the globe, just like sex trafficking. Even with limited data on human trafficking, it’s clear: labor trafficking is more common than sex trafficking. Yet all too frequently, we ignore the signs and impact of labor trafficking, we don’t report the crime, and we never empower victims to leave their dangerous trafficking situations.

When we think of labor trafficking, we think “not us.”

Labor trafficking brings to mind stories of factory fires in Bangladesh, children in Nike factories overseas, young girls in garment sweatshops in some distant, far-off place making 30 cents an hour. And that’s true. Labor trafficking can and does take those forms.

2. But it’s more than that. It’s close to home.

Labor trafficking can be experienced by the nanny for those kids down the street. It happens to workers at that donut shop you always go to on Fridays before work starts. To the day laborers you see waiting for work at Home Depot.

Labor trafficking is here. It’s in Houston, it’s in our communities. And it’s something that we can see – if we know the signs.

We want to help you know what to look out for, so we’re launching a blog series on labor trafficking. We are going to talk with you about three types of businesses where labor trafficking can thrive, and give you, the customer, questions to consider as you support these businesses.

3. Labor Trafficking is a business. Vote with your dollar.

As consumers, our purchasing power is a huge tool at our disposal. Maybe you have heard the phrase “vote with your dollar.” By actively making a choice to spend our money on fair trade and ethically produced goods and services and by refusing to spend it on exploitative business practices, we shape the economy.

As consumers, our purchasing decisions tell people and companies what and who we value.

We as consumers must learn about dangerous working environments, red flags for exploitation, and best practices. Knowing what is fair trade is a good, necessary starting point, and there are several resources out there for you! You can check out Fair Trade USA for information and shopping tips, or some of the webinars that UAHT has released online.

But it can’t end there.

We have to know the signs of labor trafficking and exploitation, and we need to be engaged as consumers if we truly want to create a world where all are free. 

The fight to end human trafficking is a journey. Thank you for joining us on it.

 

 

National Human Trafficking Hotline is a toll-free number anyone can call to report or get more information on human trafficking. Call 1-888-373-7888.

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5 Fair Trade Summer Fashion Items

5 Fair Trade Summer Fashion Items

by | Jun 12, 2020 | Uncategorized

Memorial Day has come and gone, and you know what that means! That’s right, it is officially summer! Okay, maybe not officially, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get ready for some fun in the sun with these summer essentials.

Now, some of these might not be applicable to your socially distant summer but fret not! Some of these products, you can use regardless of wrenches thrown in summer plans. Others are ones you can stock up on for when beaches and barbeques are open for business again. So, shop on, and get ready for summer 2020!

How is shopping a solution to human trafficking?

Buying items from brands that pay fair wages, hire survivors, and invest in their community, keeps people free. You ensure that a farm worker can provide for her family and that a sex trafficking victim can stay away from his captor.

Imagine a creative and skilled survivor just learned that someone purchased a necklace made by her hands. A smile lights up her face as she remembers she is loved and capable because you choose to buy her craft – rather than her body.

Each purchase is an encouragement to press on into pursing a fair and free future. We’ve made it easy for you to fight human trafficking through fun summer shopping. Look at our fun list below. There is something for everyone!

Summer Clothing

For people of all genders, shorts are a summer staple. That being said—a sad truth is that fair trade menswear has been neglected in the clothing conversation. Enter Marine Layer! They have a broad selection of menswear, but for warmer weather, check out their collection of shorts and trunks! (And if menswear isn’t your thing, don’t worry—they have plenty of other style options, including for kids and for the gals).

For a further guide to ethical menswear, this list from The Good Trade can help you start searching. And to find unique, eco-friendly (and budget friendly) clothing across the board, you can look at thrift stores, or consider doing a closet swap with friends that wear your size! For those socially distancing, there are always online thrift shops available. My personal favorite to online-shop at is happygirlthrift, a woman-run, Kansas-based Instagram account selling secondhand wears and accessories.

Swimwear

Get ready for swimsuit season with some of these pieces from Boden USA, a Britain-based company that is committed to environmental sustainability and fair labor practices across the board.

You can also check out some gender-inclusive, size inclusive options at Tomboy X. This company is eco-friendly, sweatshop free, and dedicated to promoting a “human agenda,” supportive of all.

Stuff Kids Love

Speaking of swimsuits: Where can you buy them for kids? Many fair-trade stores only offer options for a limited (read: adult-sized) audience. If you’re shopping for a little loved one, we have some options for you.

Hanna Andersson has some great swimsuits for kids in their swimwear collection. And if you have older kiddos or are shopping for a wider age range, Eternal Creation has clothing and accessories for ages 0-14.

For more brands and places to check out, Good On You’s ethical children’s brand directory has you covered! 

Accessories

For all your summer accessory essentials, check out Trades of Hope and Fair and Square Imports.

Find your new favorite beach tote or statement earrings from one of these amazing stores.

Skincare & Sunscreen

 A good sunscreen is an essential part of any summer routine, on the beach or off. To protect skin from damaging UVA beams, The Body Shop’s Aloe Soothing Moisture Lotion (SPF 15) is here for you! Additionally, the fair trade, community sourced aloe in the formula will keep your skin cool and moisturized during the hot Houston days. They also have a skin-brightening Vitamin C lotion in SPF 30, for those looking for a higher level of protection.

For an added boost: Put on sunscreen after a luxurious DIY exfoliation worthy of a spa. After brewing a cup of fair trade coffee from A 2nd Cup,  save the grounds! Mix them with some ethically sourced olive oil for an eco-friendly, budget friendly skin scrub that will leave your skin glowing and soft. This will keep in a sealed container for about three to five weeks, depending on batch size. An added bonus: by clearing away dead skin cells, combining this with an SPF will boost your summer tan!

If you don’t want to DIY, check out Elijah Rising Goods in-store or shop online for their bath soaks, body scrubs, and lip balm!

And there you have it! Whether you’re staying in with the AC on blast, or are out on the beach, here’s to you having a fabulous, fun, ethically sourced summer!

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Building A Free Future During COVID-19

Building A Free Future During COVID-19

by | May 1, 2020 | Uncategorized

Dear Friend,

One thing we know, human trafficking continues even with social distancing. In fact, COVID-19 created a perfect storm for exploiting our community.

Traffickers are grooming young boys and girls on social media. They haven’t stopped targeting vulnerable people, desperate to pay their mortgages and feed their families. 

Although this is a harsh reality in our city, we haven’t stop fighting for the safety of our families, friends, and neighbors. We know lives depend on us.    

For the last 7 weeks, we’ve been continuing our work protecting people struggling with homelessness, substance use, isolation, unemployment.

To fulfill our duty to protect our entire community and help flatten the curve, we quickly pivoted all our programs to fit the “new normal.”

Youth are staying safe from traffickers online through the prevention education videos developed by our team. Our relationships with survivors continue to strengthen as we send encouraging letters and videos. 

Clients in shelters, Spanish-speaking communities, and refugee and immigrant communities are receiving life-saving resources through the PSA’S we provide to our partners. 

Health professionals, first responders, and our community have access to our webinars for free, so they can continue to fight human trafficking.  

We continue to help survivors escape to safety.  

As social distancing incrementally lifts, we are considering how and when we will transition back to providing in-person services, while taking precautions to keep our team and our clients safe. 

These are hard times. However, my heart is full of gratitude for the emails, phone calls, and messages we have received from you, asking how we are doing and what you can do to help.  

Thank you for your love, support, and engagement. We can’t do our work without you. Together with hope and action, we will build a future where all live free.  

For Freedom,

Timeka Walker, LMSW | Executive Director

P.S. There are lots of ways you can partner with us to help those vulnerable to trafficking!

Host a Peer-to Peer Fundraising Party on Facebook  

Share Our Safety Video On ”Kids and Social Media” to All Your Friends.  

Are You In the Medical Field or Law Enforcement? Watch our Webinar to Know How to Respond to Trafficking Victims.  

Donate on GivingTuesdayNow!

Fair Trade Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Fair Trade Mother’s Day Gift Guide

by | Apr 29, 2020 | News Room

Mother’s Day is coming up! This one may feel a little (or a whole lot) different. It’s harder to see people, and shopping in stores is not an option for most. The one thing that’s going to remain constant though? Our love for the moms in our life.  

Some of us are celebrating our own mothers; some of us are helping our little ones celebrate our partners. Some are honoring the moms of their found family. No matter what your family structure looks like, it’s a day to show some extra love to the maternal figures in your life! And we’re here to help, with some ethically-sourced gift ideas for you.  

1. A Full Belly and a happy heart

Fair Trade Foods

The way to the heart is through the stomach–what better way to show it than by gifting the maternal figure in your life a meal that will taste good and feel good?

Chocolates are a surefire win for the mom who loves sweets. Local Houston stores like Chocolate Bar and Araya Chocolate are some of our recommendations. You can also check out national brands like Divine, Endangered Species Chocolate, or Tony’s Chocoloney.

If mom’s more of a brunch person, a breakfast in bed (or porch) is sure to make her smile. Check out some fair trade recipes here!    

2. Accessories fit for a queen

Fair Trade Jewelry

Give the gift of jewelry to your mother–and the gift of freedom to a survivor of trafficking with these products. These are either made by survivors, or support organizations that combat human trafficking. Most can be ordered online if the physical storefront is closed.  

Noonday Collection is a great source for ethical products supporting a variety of causes. Be sure to check out their accessories collection online!  

Another site to shop at for accessories is Trades of Hope. They fight human trafficking, and keep moms with their kids, by providing stable and sustainable work for women artisans across the globe. This Mother’s Day, you can give a gift not just to the maternal figure in your life, but to a mom overcoming difficult circumstances too. 

3. A relaxing space

Fair Trade Scents

Candles and other scented products are a classic for a reason. Check out these ethically sourced products for Mom! 

Elijah Rising’s candles provide employment for survivors of human trafficking, and proceeds help fund long-term comprehensive care for adult survivors. They also offer soaps and other bath products on their website!  Winton and Waits, based in Fort Worth, carries amazing products like rollerball scents, bath products, and scented oil diffusers. 

Meanwhile, Sparrow House Botanicals sells products that are made by survivors of human trafficking. Made with ethically sourced ingredients, these products also help fund aftercare for women who have escaped sex trafficking. They have a variety of botanical products—if you have trouble choosing, they also have convenient gift sets! 

4. Quick Gifts

Available for pick-up or fast delivery

Okay, be honest. We’ve all been there. It’s a few days before the big day, and you only just realized it’s coming up. No gift in mind? No problem! Here are some quick and easy products that you can get in a pinch, without feeling guilty about the rush.  

Lush’s storefronts may be closed, but their online delivery is still going strong! Check out their adorable (and ethical!) Mother’s Day themed products here.  

Fair trade flowers are another Mother’s Day staple. Florists like Sense Ecuador are a great choice. You can also buy from Whole Foods—be sure to look for the Whole Trade marker! 

If she’s a coffee or tea drinker, we have the stores for you. A 2nd Cup is more than a cafe—it fights human trafficking by raising awareness and providing resources to survivors. Their storefront is closed for the time being, but their online shop is still open! In addition to getting coffee and tea, you could also surprise her with a flavor syrup for her daily drink, or a coffee accessory! Numi is also a great vendor for Fair Trade, sustainable organic teas.  

Whether she’s near or far away, you can still show the maternal figures in your life that you care. This Mother’s Day may be very different—but the love we have for the moms around us is never going to change.  

Learn More about uaht
A Letter to Survivors

A Letter to Survivors

by | Apr 22, 2020 | News Room

A Survivor Is

A person who continues to function or prosper despite opposition, hardship, or setbacks.

A person who is able to continue living his or her life successfully despite experiencing difficulties.

A survivor –beats the odds, has courage and strength, and is a true inspiration.

A survivor is … YOU.

To any Human Trafficking Survivor, to any Domestic Violence Survivor, to any Addiction Survivor, to anyone struggling to find their way, and to anyone who has felt like things would never get better, this is for you.

Dear Survivor,

You are important. You are intelligent. And what you bring to the world is impactful.

Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Your purpose has always been bigger than your pain. You have had moments that you have overcome that many don’t know about.  Yet, you are still standing.

Your presence on this earth is meaningful. Your life lessons are meant to be shared with someone else who may have dealt with or are dealing with something you once did. You are the center of your own universe.

You are in control of your choices.

You have the most control over your own fate, destiny, and mood – which make up your thoughts, beliefs and actions. You decide how your life will be spent, and that is why you are important.

Your life matters. Your thoughts and actions can change people’s lives. You are valuable, you have purpose, and most importantly, you are a survivor.

Our world can be so negative, and people who are not empowering or happy with themselves may try to tear you down. Don’t allow it.

You are on a road to making your life the way you want it to be and even better. Remain on this road. Be happy on this road. Allow yourself the pleasure of inspiring yourself and others on this road.

I love you. I appreciate you. I appreciate you for being the individual that you are. I appreciate you for lifting yourself up when you felt like life was knocking you down.

Life is not easy, and yet, in the middle of a storm, you choose to go out in the rain and do what you need to do in life in order to get things done. I love and appreciate you for that. Always remember that there is nothing wrong with appreciating yourself and putting yourself first.

You are courageous.

You are not afraid to step out on a limb and go for your goals, no matter how difficult it may seem. It takes courage to put yourself out there, showing up day after day in the way that you do, fighting the good fight. You choose courage to brush the dirt off after a knock-down and get right back in there.

You have courage to honor your boundaries and speak to what needs speaking to, courage to not take things personally even when things get heated. It takes courage and resilience to stand strong in yourself knowing and trusting your own path, even when those you care about the most may be headed another way.

Still, when you may be criticized, you are courageous. You know it takes courage to address the things that may be hard and scary.

One thing I want you to remember is to empower yourself.

Self-empowerment is so essential. It’s also liberating because you are taking full responsibility for your life: making your own choices and decisions, and living according to your own personal operating system and values. You are free from the anxiety and fear of living up to the expectations of others, experiencing the joy of being authentically yourself.

Remember all of this, and you will go far. Empowerment is not an arrogant thing. It’s something that should make you feel good inside. If it ever makes you feel any other way, follow your own steps to eliminate that. Understand the growth that you have experienced and what is to come.

Recognize that growing is honorable.

When that happens, it shows that you are pushing yourself to become not just good, but great.

Personal growth is something you achieve consciously. It is a long-term project that never ends yet brings rewards every day. This is the project of building a self. Everyone has a self, which serves as a platform for all the things that happen over a lifetime. Upon this platform you can build a structure of values that become more fulfilling day by day. Growing is a part of life, and while it may be scary, it’s necessary to make it in this world. It’s something that pushes you far beyond places that you ever assumed you would go.

Take time every day to remind yourself of your highest aspirations, the hopes and dreams that make you most human. By nourishing yourself in this way, you are asking your highest self and soul to become part of your daily life.

To finish, I’ll leave you with this quote from Denzel Washington:

“Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship. So, keep moving, keep growing, keep learning. See you at work.”

Continue to use your voice. You are a survivor. You are important. You matter.

Au’Vonnie Alexander | Youth Coordinator