Free the Captives’ Newsletter, August 25, 2015
Mayoral Forum on Human Trafficking
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/.
Interview on KSBJ Sunday Night Live and List of Needs
As always, we are so thankful for our friends at KSBJ and KSBJ Sunday Night Show for interviewing us and fighting human trafficking in Houston! Here is the link to the recent KSBJ interview: https://soundcloud.com/ksbj-sunday-night-show/08-23-2015-julie-waters-maria-skoruk-help-free-girls-from-trafficking
As a recap of our needs that we discussed:
- 1. Printing business to print some materials for the candle business and gala/ballet event
- 2. GED tutors in Cypress to work with teen victims
- 3. Property or warehouse for our candle making business so that we can expand and hire more teen trafficking survivors (we are looking north of 610 between 45 and Hardy Toll)
- 4. Businesses to carry and sell the candles made by our teen trafficking survivors
- 5. New laptops and software so that the girls can learn to code. The girls will get to keep the laptops.
- 6. Caterer to donate meal for our gala luncheon on Nov. 6
- 7. Buy your tickets to the gala and Moscow Ballet!
To help with these needs, email info@freethecaptiveshouston.com.
Audition for “Trafficked” and Volunteer Meeting
VOLUNTEER MEETING
Location: College Park Baptist Church, 7887 Beechnut St., Houston, TX 77074
Date: Sept. 12, 2015 Saturday
Time: 10am to noon
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.
Children’s Auditions for the Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker
Would your child like to perform with world famous Russian ballerinas AND help raise awareness about human trafficking? Children, ages 6 to 16, are invited to audition for the Great Russian Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet on August 31 in Houston. Auditions are free, but you will need to register. Selected children will get dance on November 6 at Houston Baptist University with the Moscow Ballet. For more information, go to http://www.freethecaptiveshouston.com/auditions-for-moscow-ballets-nutcracker/.
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
- 8/31 – Auditions for Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker
- 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