Evening Out
April 29, 2008
INnocence ATLANTA partnered with the best of Athens restaurants to create the April 29th Event "Evening Out Athens". Students and members of the Athens community chose to support the work of INnocence ATLANTA by dining at local restaurants such as Chic-Fil-A, Bretts, Uncle Ottos, Speakeasy and Transmetropolitan. Restaurants agreed for 10% of their proceeds to be donated to INnocence ATLANTA's awareness raising campaigns.
After dinner, supporters were encouraged to attend INnocence ATLANTA's first annual Athens benefit concert in downtown Starbucks. During the event, Luke Crown, Jason Smith, Paul Smith, Jason Corringan and other musicians entertained the packed crowd with cover songs, pieces created specifically for the trafficked victims, and a humorous encore impromptu song by Crown, much to the audiences' delight. Crown also wrote the song "Broken" specifically for trafficked victims, with the lyrics reading like a beautiful redemption poem set to music.
"I know its hard when you can't see
you fall apart and it seems
your worlds a giant shade of gray
And you don't believe in brighter days
But don't give up on your dreams
When you're...
Displayed up on a shelf
And all can see and you can tell
A story painting a picture of a full life
And no you aren't just cast aside
Those scars inside don't have to hide
Don't wear the shame of crying slightly used
To all who pass by
Cause you aren't broken, you aren't broken
you're beautiful"
-Luke Crown, "Broken"
The volunteer coordinator, University of Georgia student Joshua Garner says that he was horrified when he heard about child sex trafficking. "I have so many cousins," Garner says, "and the idea of them, or anyone, being forced into sex slavery just breaks my heart". He gathered local UGA students Caroline Campbell, Robert Coletti, Bill Bush, Ciera Loftin, Celia Jenkins and Daniel Frances, and they effectively planned and implemented the event, along with the Innocence Atlanta staff. "I'm hoping that through events like this and the awareness work of Innocence Atlanta we can help the victims, but also the pimps that are blinded to what they are really doing, and all the guys struggling with pornography who are trapped in a life they dont want to live," says Garner.
Although he acknowledges that child sex trafficking is a hard issue to address, Garner believes that moving from awareness to action is the next step for all modern day abolitionists fighting sexual trafficking and slavery. "It's hard because I can't literally go and save a kid from this," he comments, "but I will help those who can. "
The Evening Out campaign is a quarterly event, and the next Evening Out will be located in Atlanta, GA. Please check back periodically for further details, including dates and participating restaurants.
* Total donations for the evening will be posted as they are finalized.
WHAT:
The INnocence ATLANTA campaign is joining with the best of Atlanta’s and Athen's restaurants, bars and dining establishments to raise awareness for victims of child sex trafficking in Atlanta.
WHY:
Atlanta is in the top 3 cities in America for child sex trafficking. This is not what our community wants to be known for. Every child has the right to be a child – therefore the victims of child sex trafficking need our help. Through awareness and action, our community is beginning a movement that will fight for their rescue and enable their restoration.
WHO:
INnocence Atlanta is a non-profit organization created by Meet Justice that is focused on exposing and eradicating child exploitation in Atlanta.
WHERE:
Restaurants/Bars/Dining Establishments throughout the Atlanta/Athens area – see the list below.
WHEN:
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - Athens, GA
HOW:
Dine out at participating restaurants and a percentage of your proceeds will be donated to Innocence Atlanta. Make sure to mention you are dining for Innocence Atlanta's "Evening Out'!
Clarke County ~ April 29, 2008
Chick Fil A ~ Epps Bridge Road ~ Enjoy Breakfast and Lunch from 8 am – 2pm
(Be sure to put receipt in receipt box)
Chick Fil A ~ Beechwood Shopping Center/ Alps Rd ~ Dine here from 5-8pm
(Mention you are with Innocence Atlanta)
Brett’s Restaurant ~ Atlanta Highway ~ Dine here any time of the day
Uncle Otto’s European Eatery ~ Downtown Athens ~ Dine here any time of the day
Transmetropolitan ~ Downtown Athens ~ Dine here from 5 pm- close
Speakeasy Restaurant ~ Downtown Athens ~ Dine here from 5 pm – close
Starbucks Benefit Concert ~ Downtown Athens ~ Come enjoy from 8-11pm
Team Up: Gear Up
Love*Create*Restore*
This is an event being put on by some friends. Read below.
Team Up, Gear Up: Biking against Trafficking
It is estimated that nearly 27 million individuals are enslaved around the globe today. Unfortunately, slavery has not disappeared, but is a thriving 30 billion dollar industry. Vulnerable individuals, otherwise known as "the disposable people", are often tricked into becoming sex slaves, domestic or bonded servants, or child soldiers.
Many are trafficked across borders and live in a state of fear and hopelessness. Not only is this taking place in developing countries, but right here in our own back yard. The United States not only fuels the rising demand of this industry, but aids in supplying the insatiable appetite abroad.
The last week in March, a group of individuals will be biking their way from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon and back again. This eight-day, 450-mile round-trip bike ride will also include a 20-mile hike through the Canyon itself.
The purpose of the journey is found beyond the bikers' personal gain – it lies in furthering the Kingdom of God. The goal: to raise awareness about Modern Day Slavery that will motivate a generation to action. It's a call for the body to step up and fight for justice. Please join us the week of March 23rd in the fight for justice.
Two participants in the bike ride, Eric Hanson and I, Stephanie Fisk, have just finished serving a year abroad with a program called The World Race (www.theworldrace.org ). During this experience, our eyes were not only opened to a hurt and broken world, but our hearts and souls awoke to a God who heals and restores. A God who's heart beats through his body here on earth - a heart that wakes up individuals to their passions and dreams. The raw beauty that explodes when our passions meet the needs of the world is breath-taking.
Personally, I am passionate about women and kids who are lured into the sex industry and a generation that is searching for purpose. The Lord calls us to intercede on behalf of his children, and this bike ride is just that. Not only are we physically biking to raise awareness on human trafficking, but spiritually we are engaging prayer warriors to fight in the heavenly realms.
So, how can you get involved?
You are more than welcome to join us on the bike ride, even for only a leg of the journey. But if you are not able to make it down to Arizona, you still play an integral role in this adventure. March 23rd (Easter night) through March 31st, at 8pm CST (each night of the bike ride) we are hosting a nation-wide corporate prayer call.
Each night, a guest speaker/organization that is currently combating modern-day slavery will share testimonies that will both raise awareness and motivate us to action. Stories will be followed by a time of Q&A and corporate prayer. Everyone is invited to participate on these prayer calls. To call in, dial 1-218-486-1600 followed by the access code 472085#.
For more information about the bike ride, organizations involved with the prayer call, and modern-day slavery please visit www.stephaniefisk.theworldrace.org .
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at erichanson@adventures.org or stephaniefisk@adventures.org