No better season than this to give love and hope!

As you enter the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, whatever your beliefs and traditions may be, remember that so many people in this world live without freedom. It is not so much about whether they will have the latest trendy electronic device, the most bountiful feast, the newest items of clothing or new toys or a big vacation but rather if they will see another day, if they will have a sip of clean water, a morsel of sustenance, the medication they need, the freedom they long for. There are many ways that you can still have what you believe you’re supposed to have during this season and still offer hope and love and freedom to others through your choices.

This isn’t an exclusive list but it’s a start. Do some research. Buy Fair Trade. Make things. Buy consignment. Defend human rights AND Protect the environment. Give love and hope not stuff. Give your time. Give your whole self. And when you spend less, give more! Here at SAGE we always appreciate generosity and giving and would love to put your gifts to use for the good of our community, our survivors.

http://humantrafficking.change.org/blog/view/holiday_gift_guide_where_to_find_fair_trade_gifts

www.tradeasone.org

www.adventconspiracy.org

http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/beauty/defend-human-rights

www.soul-flower.com

www.amazon.com

www.wholefoods.com

Support SAGE through Social Media

Join SAGE at Victory Day Movie Premiere   Please join SAGE Project for the movie premiere of Victory Day, winner of Best Political Film at the 2009 Action On Film International Film Festival. Victory Day is a modern-day dramatic thriller that “leads us into the shadowy landscapes of modern Russia, the crippled state of journalism, and the brutal world of trafficking and modern day slavery.” Victory Day Director Sean Ramsay is bringing his political thriller to San Francisco November 19th, 2009 through November 26, 2009. A portion of all tickets bought through this announcement will benefit SAGE’s efforts to fight commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking. This is a great way for you to help victims receive the life-saving care and support needed to survive and escape sexual exploitation. You can learn more about Victory Day and watch a trailer of the film by clicking here: http://www.victorydaythefilm.com/Story.html Victory Day will be showing in two different San Francisco theatres. The premiere screening event will be held on Thursday, November 19th, 2009, at the Clay Theatre at 2261 Fillmore Street. The evening begins at 7:30 pm with champagne and caviar, followed by the 8pm showing of the film and a silent auction to immediately follow. Tickets for this event are $100 ($30 of this ticket price will be donated directly to SAGE). From Friday, November 20, 2009 through Thursday, November 26, 2009, Victory Day will be playing at the Lumiere Theatre at 1572 California Street at 5:00pm, 7:30pm, and 10:00pm; plus Friday through Sunday: 12:00 and 2:30pm. This ticket price is $10 ($8 of this ticket price will be donated directly to SAGE) and your ticket is valid for the showing of your choice. You do not need to reserve a seat in advance but you may wish to arrive early to secure a good seat. To order your tickets, please click on the Victory Day Tickets link below. Be sure to write “Victory Day” and the name of the theatre where it asks you to “Designate my Donation.” For example if you are ordering tickets for the November 19th premiere screening at the Clay Theatre, designate your donation as “Victory Day-Clay.” If you are ordering tickets for the Lumiere Theatre run from Friday, November 20, 2009 through Thursday, November 26, 2009, designate your donation as “Victory Day-Lumiere.” You may also order tickets through the mail if you would like. Please send a check or money order to SAGE Project-Victory Day, 1275 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. Please note: if you would like to receive your ticket through the U.S. postal mail, be sure to include your correct mailing address when ordering your ticket. You may also pick your ticket up at the SAGE office Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00pm. Please call Kristie Miller at (415) 358-2716 to arrange for pick-up. Thank you for supporting SAGE Project and we hope you enjoy the film. Victory Day Tickets

Help Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking You can help victims of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking by clicking on the “Give through SAGE” link below. Through SAGE, you can help create opportunities for victims to receive the life-saving care and support they need.You can make a financial contribution in memory of a loved one or as a very special, meaningful gift. Simply click on the “Give through SAGE” link below to make your secure online contribution or mail a check to SAGE at 1275 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. Your contribution will be channeled into direct services (i.e. healing through mental health, addiction and trauma recovery treatment) and advocacy for the victims of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. It is only with your help that we can provide children, youth, women, and men with the support and care needed to survive and escape sexual exploitation. Through the unity and power of all our collective resources, we can continue to change lives and work towards a world free from trafficking, violence and sexual abuse of women and children.

Fundraising Event for Abolition

One of the things that is so important to the work of the SAGE Project is the support of our growing network to help us meet our needs so that we can meet the needs of our clients. At the top of that list for us is financial needs. It takes significant amounts of money and resources to continue standing against global exploitation and no amount of help goes unnoticed. We love it when friends of the SAGE Project think of creative ways to help us raise money like making a birthday wish through our Facebook cause or hosting a Black & White Ball!

This coming Friday, October 23 from 6:30-9:30pm at Dolores Park Church (455 Dolores Street) in San Francisco, a local group is hosting a Fundraising Art Event. If you’re up for some great art, spoken word, music, film, refreshments, and a chance to enhance your own role as an abolitionist, please follow the link below, register, and make an appearance (& of course a donation). All proceeds will go directly to the local work of SAGE and the international work of The Sold Project. We need you. Together we can continue the fight to end this horrifying crime against humanity.

http://abolitionartevent-efbevent.eventbrite.com/

pHysiCaL nEEds

When a person survives commercial sexual exploitation it is an opportunity to begin life again with a new chance for freedom and liberty, a new chance for health and contribution to the world. Unfortunately it is not so simple as just removing a person from an exploitive situation or relationship. In fact, a number of variables exist that have to be addressed and held in balance in order for a survivor’s recovery to be filled with health and healing and progress. Clearly, removal from an oppressive/exploitive situation and/or relationship has to happen first but from that point forward the work of recovery can seem as painful and arduous as the exploitation endured and requires a number of specialized services, commitment, and of course the development of a supportive network. The most basic set of needs that arises before anything else can really be addressed is that of the physical person. A survivor needs a safe place to stay, clean clothes to wear, toiletries, a plentiful supply of clean water, basic appliances and nutritious foods to eat. You might think, “yea but, those are so basic and simple, I want to do more! Anyone can help with that kind of stuff, I really want to do more.” It is admirable to want to do more and there is certainly a need for more but first we have to take care of the physical needs. Imagine trying to live your life just as it is without those physical needs being met. Most of us reading this blog really don’t have to worry about having enough water to drink, food to eat, and a roof over our heads even if we’re on someone’s couch. Further, imagine having an oppressive and violent life of sexual exploitation forced upon you over and over, maybe for years, while all you can do is watch like a spectator, like you’re not even really alive, like you’re an object. Maybe you have been there and you know how hard it is to reclaim your freedom and your voice. Whatever the case may be, we have to realize that fighting exploitation is as much about humbling ourselves to meet the real and deep needs of survivors, the kind of stuff we may take for granted, and help them establish a foundation on which to commit to health, healing, and recovery.   With that said, SAGE is always looking to meet the physical needs of those that we serve. These needs may change depending on the exact population at any given time and the unique circumstances of the individuals and families that are a part of our community. Of course one way to help is giving us money. Another way to help is making donations of certain helpful items or gift cards for clothes and toiletries. At any given time, we may have a more specific list of things that we need and other times the list may be more generic. Nonetheless it can be so important to show your love and support through donations.   A few of the items we’ve needed recently, some of which are ongoing needs:

1) Microwave

2) Gift Certificate for shoes

3) Gift Certificate for clothing

4) School supplies or gift certificate to buy school supplies

5) Pro-bono printing support

6) Food donations for our healthy lunches

7) Hotplate

Blender

9) Toaster / Toaster oven

Let’s talk about global exploitation

When was the last time you checked your personal network or lifestyle for your connection to global exploitation? It’s a loaded question, but reality is most of us don’t have an answer. Call it ignorance, call it apathy, or call it willful intent, but whatever it is, the fact is that we are all somehow connected to the mass atrocity that is global exploitation unless of course you live a life free of interaction, travel, media, and consumerism. MANY types of global exploitation exist and all forms are tragically oppressive, threatening our common humanity in this world. It seems that most people I dialogue with about this reality agree that conditions such as Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE), the CSE of children, human trafficking, and debt bondage, are intolerable; yet, these and so many other atrocities persist and even flourish at the global level.  All types of organizations exist that are dealing with the different types of global exploitation, some may have specific focus on certain types of exploitation or certain areas of the world while others may deal with the problem more broadly. What is clear in all aspects of this type of work is that it requires you to be involved. Oftentimes, people start hearing the stories of survivors, understanding the secrets behind the trades, and realizing how horrific the reality of global exploitation really is, and it just becomes overwhelming, so overwhelming that paralysis hits and no action is taken, especially when it sinks in just how close to home it can hit. It should make you angry, even sad, but we want to channel that emotion into action not paralysis. We want to keep you updated, continue to increase awareness and most importantly, resource you according to your ability to be involved. The first step of action is simply to make sure you are sharing what you know and never forgetting that every human life has value, dignity, and purpose; that every story needs to be heard; that everyone deserves the freedom to be who they are created to be and become who they choose to be.

This blog is sponsored by The Standing Against Global Exploitation (SAGE) Project, based in San Francisco, CA, a nonprofit organization with one primary aim: bringing an end to the commercial sexual exploitation (CSE/CSEC) of children and adults. The SAGE Project seeks not only to raise awareness about CSE/CSEC issues but also seeks to provide outreach and wraparound services to survivors.

The SAGE Project is unique in that it fosters collaboration among law enforcement, public health, social services, and private agencies. Within this collaborative environment, its approaches are solution-focused in the areas of prevention, protection, and restorative justice as a whole. SAGE is also unique in that it is a grassroots organization, created by and for survivors of CSE/CSEC. Through its programs, every week, several hundred women and children find the services, support, and advocacy they desperately need as well as opportunities to move beyond exploitation and reclaim their freedom. SAGE also trains other organizations in replicating their efforts and has global reach as well.