As thousands march today in Washington, Free the Slaves stands arm-in-arm with activists in the social justice movement who are calling for America's elected officials to maintain U.S. leadership in safeguarding human rights. Free the Slaves belongs to many policy and...
At the edges of the dark, shifting and murky pools of modern slavery are growing glimmers of liberation – and there is no more powerful source of freedom’s light than American tenacity. A profound moral test for the incoming administration will be sustaining U.S....
One of the most important things to remember about slavery is that it never really ended. It has been outlawed worldwide, but never eradicated. There are tens of millions of people trapped in modern forms of slavery around the globe today. That’s why Free the Slaves...
The turning of a new year is always a pivotal moment; the past is behind us and our eyes focus on the future. That’s especially true with the passing of the 2016 elections and the potential in 2017 for strengthening policies that will benefit those affected by human...
The season of giving is close at hand. In celebration of the spirit of community , Free the Slaves is spotlighting some of most inspiring donors in our original film series, “Why I Free Slaves.” These short profiles tell the deeply personal stories of people who...
Slavery is a key part of Jewish identity. The central narrative of Jewish faith is being enslaved in ancient Egypt; it is the story the Jewish community tells on Passover, every Sabbath, and during daily prayers. The book of Exodus recounts the miracle of Moses...
Virginia Williams, a Hollywood television actress, did not seek out Free the Slaves. She was actually wary at first. Seven years ago a friend invited her to the Freedom Awards, a FTS ceremony honoring the world’s best anti-slavery work. A presenter told the audience...
Margaret Graff, an investment professional in Atlanta, helps her clients find charities that are both authentic and inspiring. She counsels them to choose a trustworthy group that truly speaks to the heart. She found that in Free the Slaves. As a wealth management...
In the neighborhoods of Brooklyn, James Hannaham sees slavery everywhere: the coffee shop, crowded sidewalks, the vegetable aisle of his supermarket. Some people could be wearing clothes sewn by slaves, others eating fruit picked by slaves. “I look all over the place...
In Robert Birk’s 8th-grade English class, his students read The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. The abolitionist’s powerful autobiography tells of Douglass’ escape from slavery and life as a free man, overcoming obstacles to become an influential writer and...
Free the Slaves filmmakers have traveled the globe to document inspiring stories of slavery and freedom. Now, they’re turning the camera on our committed contributors. Today we’re launching a unique film series: “Why I Free Slaves.” It spotlights the deeply personal...
The Democratic and Republican conventions are over, and the 2016 general election campaign is now underway. Party officials at both conventions included planks on human trafficking in their 2016 platforms. Here’s the official language from each:2016 Democratic Party...
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon gets straight to the point: human trafficking is the act of "criminals selling people for profit."It could be anyone. Someone like you could easily be tricked into an opportunity that falsely promises a better life.Which is why we...
Submitted by Houy Chap | Senhoa’s Cambodia-based accountantSenhoa Jewelry Social Enterprise is very important. Many of the girls who [work for Senhoa] come out of bad situations [and] have a very low level of education. Some are illiterate because they have spent much...
Submitted by Jessica Hendricks Yee | Founder of The Brave CollectionEight years ago I was a sophomore at NYU, majoring in, well, storytelling. I passed my days in drama classes, bopping around in leopard leggings and bright lipstick. I was challenged by Brechtian...
Submitted by Malia DesignsMalia Designs is a socially responsible fair trade brand that designs and sells handbags. Our products are handcrafted in Cambodia and every Malia purchase helps to fight human trafficking. The mission of Malia Designs is the same today as it...
Submitted by Starfish ProjectStarfish Project began in 2006, when our founder and CEO Jenny McGee began visiting women caught in exploitation and trafficking. Visiting the shops is truly heartbreaking. It was clear the women had a very real economic need, so we opened...
Submitted by Sarah Lance | Sari Bari Managing and Creative DirectorSari Bari is a freedom business. A freedom business is “business that exists to fight human trafficking and commercial exploitation.” We employ women from two red light areas who want to make the brave...
Submitted by Wendy Dailey | Co-founder & President of iSanctuaryInternational Sanctuary (iSanctuary) was founded in 2007 to empower victims of sex trafficking to rebuild their lives with economic opportunities. Purpose Jewelry, the iSanctuary fashion brand, is...
Free the Slaves has teamed-up with 12 ethical fashion brands for a one-month campaign to raise awareness about modern slavery and to raise funds to end it. Throughout July, we'll be bringing you news of special fashion offers that benefit Free the Slaves. You can...
Not sure what to give the mothers in your life for Mother's Day? Give Freedom! As a tribute to your mom, help free entire villages from slavery in India. Then download our 2016 Mother's Day card and email it to her.Our Mother's Day theme this year is short and simple:...
Free the Slaves has discovered an incredible way to break the back of slavery in the world’s worst trafficking hot spot.We do it by partnering with local organizations in India to strengthen and liberate entire villages. It’s amazing. Everyone breaks free....
We need your help to make modern slavery a presidential campaign issue. With tens of millions enslaved worldwide, it’s critical that the next U.S. president make fighting slavery a priority.Today, the anti-slavery movement is launching the Generation Freedom campaign....
People ask me all the time: “What is the single most important thing a person can do to help people escape or avoid modern-day slavery?” The answer is simple. It’s one word. Donate. That’s especially true right now, as we conclude National Slavery and Human...
Over the past three years a group of children and youths in Sacramento, California, has come together to form the Kids’ Freedom Club. The purpose is to free slaves by raising money, educating others about the problem and advocating for change. We’ve raised money by...
Human Trafficking Prevention Month was created to build awareness that slavery still exists and to mobilize action to end slavery once and for all. There are two simple things you can do right now to help.Take International Political Action: Visit the 50 for Freedom...
January is a perfect opportunity to mobilize your friends, family, neighbors, classmates, clients, congregants, co-workers and everyone you know. Join us in January to raise the visibility of slavery as one of the world’s greatest human rights problems. It’s a problem...
Your generous support has empowered Free the Slaves to liberate people from inhuman mistreatment in bondage and change the conditions that allow the evil of slavery to persist. If you haven’t had an opportunity yet to contribute in 2015—our 15th year as an...
Our 15th anniversary year comes to a close in just a few days. It’s been a remarkably successful year.Our front-line anti-slavery programs have crossed two important benchmarks: freeing more than 10,000 people from slavery and educating more than 100,000 to prevent...
Today marks the anniversary of United Nations adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was a momentous achievement in 1948 to craft a charter of rights that should apply to every person on the planet. The declaration is widely accepted as the...
Today marks the official anniversary when the United Nations passed its Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others. It was approved in 1949, and the U.N. has honored this landmark anti-slavery treaty...
This year marks 15 Years of Fighting for Freedom at Free the Slaves. In that spirit, I’d like to share 15 reasons that you should donate to our organization in this special anniversary year.We free slaves. We have liberated more than 10,000 people so far. With your...
We’re happy to launch a new feature on the Free the Slaves website this week: our new online store! We have identified great gift ideas for yourself or your friends.To start: T-shirts with the Free the Slaves logo. They’re a great way to get conversations started...
There’s one word that defines what Free the Slaves has accomplished in our first 15 years of fighting for freedom: results. With your support, we have helped more than 10,000 people escape the brutal clutches of slavery. And there’s one word we always hear from...
This year marks our 15th birthday and two important milestones. In 15 years, we have helped free more than 10,000 people from slavery, and we’ve educated more than 100,000 vulnerable villagers to help prevent their enslavement. You made that possible. Your...
The U.S. government employs millions of people as direct federal workers and government contractors. If you’re one of them, today is an important day!It’s the beginning of the 2015 Combined Federal Campaign. It’s your chance to help Free the Slaves liberate people...
Your right to know if corporations are enslaving people to make products you buy is under threat. A court ruling last week might allow companies to conceal the suffering and slavery that we see every day in our front-line field programs.Here’s what has happened: A...
Free the Slaves Executive Director Maurice Middleberg remembers there was skepticism that polio might one day be fully eradicated in developing countries. But 30 years ago, Rotary International began a global child vaccination campaign that is now close to achieving...
We at Free the Slaves are certain that slavery can be overcome if everybody does their part.There are simple things that you – and even your children – can do to bring us one step closer to slavery’s end.Greyson, a 13 year old Massachusetts boy, has taken his fight...
Fathers everywhere want to protect and provide for their families. But many fathers cannot – because of slavery. You can help change that by supporting the community-oriented programs of Free the Slaves. We help reunify families torn apart by trafficking. We help...
People often ask us at Free the Slaves if there is something they can do in their daily lives to help fight slavery. Well, this Saturday is your chance. Communities around the world will be coming together to fight poverty, social injustice and climate change on World...
Mothers play a crucial role in overcoming the brutal grip of slavery. It’s typically the mothers of a village who begin the process of mobilizing their community to break free. And it’s often mothers who organize village watchdog groups to ensure their neighbors stay...
Why climb Africa’s highest peak? Well, first, because it’s there, as climbers say. But most importantly: climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro can help end slavery. Three FTS supporters have just launched a fundraising campaign to help support Free the Slaves. Emma Norton, Neeraj...
Question: what’s an anti-slavery activist doing at an environmental sustainability conference for businesses? Answer: getting the same corporations that are helping to protect air, water, wildlife and natural resources around the globe to also protect the world’s most...
You probably don’t know them, but FTS supporters will know their work. They are Cassie and Jordan Timpy, a couple from Washington who describe themselves as “passionate visual storytellers who will travel to the ends of the earth to capture life’s joys and...
A slave who became a saint will be remembered by Catholics around the globe on February 8th as the Vatican launches its first “international day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking.” On Sunday, dioceses and parishes around the world will celebrate the...
Last Friday evening, I had the privilege of attending the opening of a new art exhibit in Washington, Bought and Sold, by a longtime friend of Free the Slaves who has photographed our work around the world, Kay Chernush. Beneath the statistics about slavery and...
January is a special month for the anti-slavery movement and Free the Slaves. It is trafficking awareness month, and there is a wide range of actions you can take to make a difference around the world. It’s also an important month in U.S. history: Congress gave final...
As 2014 comes to a close, I’d like to connect you to the courageous Free the Slaves country directors and the communities in which they are carrying out groundbreaking work. They are your personal ambassadors of liberation. They have dedicated their lives to...
Free the Slaves has a challenge for you during this holiday season, a unique opportunity to create a chain of giving that reaches across the globe: Give a Gift, Get a Gift. Make a donation to Free the Slaves today, and ask a friend to donate too. Together you will...