Donate Grocery Gift Cards for Teen Victims
Over the weekend, I got a text from a teenaged trafficking victim asking when our support groups were starting back up because she was hungry. It was heartbreaking because if this girl is hungry, then her little brothers and sisters are hungry too. We have been working with this family for almost a year now, and their situation is very complicated. Can you please pray for them? Pray for God’s provision and protection. Pray for hope and mercy. Pray for God to convict hearts and heal brokenness. If you would like to help this trafficking victim, you can donate $25 gift cards for groceries from Kroger, HEB or Walmart. Gift cards can be mailed to Free the Captives, 2211 Rayford Road, Suite 111-418, Spring, TX 77386 or you can make online donations.
Annual Volunteer Training to Work with Victims, Sept. 11
Do you want to work directly with teenaged trafficking survivors? We need help in the following areas:
- Tutoring
- Providing transportation to medical and other appointments
- Helping apply for jobs
- Developing the business for the girls and making candles
- Representing Free the Captives at various events
We are currently looking for caring volunteers with flexible schedules that want to directly impact and restore the lives of teens caught up in the horrific tragedy of trafficking. This year our training for volunteers who want to work with trafficking victims is on Mondays, Sept. 21 through Oct. 26, from 2:30pm to 4:00pm near Reliant Stadium. You must have reliable transportation and be willing to travel throughout Houston to work with victims. Three books are required for the training. Volunteers will be required to assist with other Free the Captives’ projects before working directly with survivors.
Please email info@freethecaptiveshouston.com for an application. Applications must be postmarked no later than Friday, Sept. 11.
Mayoral Forum on Human Trafficking, Sept. 13
Houston is getting a new mayor! This is your opportunity to ask the candidates how they plan to fight human trafficking in one of the largest hubs in the US for this horrific crime. Join Free the Captives on Sunday, September 13 at 5pm at Pathways Church, 5900 Pinemont, Houston, TX 77092. Candidates Adrian Garcia, Bill King, and Ben Hall have confirmed their participation in the forum.
Space is limited. RSVP today and submit your questions for the candidates at http://www.freethecaptiveshouston.com/houston-mayoral-forum-on-human-trafficking/.
Actors Needed for “Trafficked” and Volunteer Meeting, Sept. 12
VOLUNTEER MEETING
Location: College Park Baptist Church, 7887 Beechnut St., Houston, TX 77074
Date: Sept. 12, 2015 Saturday
Time: 10am to noon
We need helping planning this experiential event. Help us spread awareness by getting involved! Join us at 10am for our volunteer planning meeting. RSVP to info@freethecaptiveshouston if you are attending.
CASTING CALL/AUDITIONS:
Location: College Park Baptist Church, 7887 Beechnut St., Houston, TX 77074
Date: Sept. 12, 2015 Saturday
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Actors Needed:
- 1 female, age range 14 to 18, all ethnicities, wardrobe: school clothing (teenagers must bring a parent to the audition)
- 2 females, age range 14 to 18, all ethnicities, wardrobe: school clothing (teenagers must bring a parent to the audition)
- 2 males, age range 14 to 18, all ethnicities, wardrobe: school clothing (teenagers must bring a parent to the audition)
- 1 female, age range 35 to 55, all ethnicities, wardrobe: dress (high school teacher role)
- 1 female, age range 21 to 35, all ethnicities, wardrobe: casual
- 1 male, age range 21 to 45, all ethnicities, wardrobe: casual
- 5 males, age range 21-60, all ethnicities, wardrobe: nice casual
- 2 males, age range 21 to 45, all ethnicities, wardrobe, casual
Purpose: To produce a theatrical, experiential event to educate the general public about teenaged human trafficking in Houston.
What does it feel like to be trafficked in Houston? Through “Trafficked: The Experience,” Free the Captives is giving the public the opportunity to see and experience some of the same emotions and situations that teen trafficking victims would. This event is a powerful way to share knowledge about human trafficking, and what it means to be trafficked here in Houston. The audience will walk through a series of rooms that portray the experiences of trafficking victims. All scenes are carefully created without explicit violence or abuse.
Compensation: $50 total for entire project
Beginners are welcome. Please bring a headshot if you have one. Check your schedules and make sure you are in Houston and available to attend the following rehearsal and performance dates:
Mandatory Rehearsal Dates at College Park Baptist Church:
Saturday, Oct. 3, 10am to noon
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7pm to 10pm
Mandatory Performance dates at College Park Baptist Church:
Thursday, October 22, 2015; 6pm to 10pm
Friday, October 23, 2015; 6pm to 10pm
This is a Non-Union project. RSVP for the auditions by emailing info@freethecaptiveshouston.com.
Buy Ballet and Gala Tickets TODAY!
Free the Captives has partnered with the world renowned Moscow Ballet for a special performance of the Great Russian Nutcracker! This spectacular event will take place on November 6, 2015 at Houston Baptist University’s Dunham Theater. Get your ballet and gala tickets today! They can be purchased at http://www.freethecaptiveshouston.com/moscow-ballet-gala/.
Help us raise funds at our gala luncheon so that we can purchase our own facility/warehouse and expand our candle making business for teen trafficking survivors. Giving these girls a meaningful job goes a long way in their healing and restoration.
Want to play an even larger role in rebuilding the lives of teen trafficking victims? Become a sponsor of our gala and ballet. Sponsorship opportunities are available here.
Local Houston Girls Dance with the Moscow Ballet
Meet Rachel, an aspiring ballerina in Houston, who auditioned for the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker and got a role! She, along with several other Houston girls, will be dancing with world famous Russian ballerinas. Together, they will be fighting human trafficking in Houston. Come see Rachel in the Great Russian Nutcracker and help Free the Captives on Nov. 6 at HBU!
“The Parent Trap”: Spoken Word and Live Poetry for the Family, Oct. 10
Buy a candle, save a life.
Browse our Catalogue to…
- Buy hand poured soy candles made by teen trafficking survivors in Houston
- Learn how our job program, New Creations, changes lives
- Discover the amazing work that the girls put into creating these beautiful candles
- Explore the seven scents of our aromatherapy candles
We are seeking businesses and churches to purchase and resell the candles made by our teen trafficking survivors. Currently, candles can only be purchased by the case ($20 per candle, 12 candles per case).
Individual candles will be available for purchase only at our events until our online store goes live. If you would like to support our trafficking survivors by purchasing candles in bulk, please email info@freethecaptiveshouston.com.
Calendar of Events
- 9/11 – Applications due for Annual Volunteer Training
- 9/12 – Trafficked: Volunteer Meeting and Auditions
- 9/13 – Mayoral Forum on Human Trafficking
- 10/10 – “The Parent Trap” Spoken Word/Live Painting, Webster Presbyterian Church
- 10/22-23 – Trafficked: The Experience
- 11/6 – Gala Luncheon and Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker
- 11/20-21 – Christmas Market