Dress Up to Drive Out Human Trafficking Event
Dee Clark, trafficking survivor speaks to the crowd
Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!!! What a great night October 30th was! We ended up with a total of 19 clubs that sponsored “Dress Up To Drive Out Human-Trafficking” at One Longfellow Square. Plus…there were individual participants from a total of 25 clubs. WOW! This is collaboration at its finest.
There were many guests and non-Rotarian walk-ins as well (some even committed to becoming new members). There was even a visit and short speech by Cumberland County Assistant District Attorney, Meg Elam. Jennifer Morin from “Not Here, Foundation for Hope & Grace” was there. Representatives of “Maine Sex Trafficking & Exploitation Network”, Jon Bradley, Director of “Preble Street”, and Michael O'Neal of “ Keeping Kids Safe”, Amy Paradysz, freelance writer from the Portland Press Herald, were all in attendance as well.
What made this event so great? Well, let me tell you. As a result of this event, we will be making a substantial contribution to both “Schools for Freedom” and “Preble Street Anti-Trafficking Coalition”.
There were many guests and non-Rotarian walk-ins as well (some even committed to becoming new members). There was even a visit and short speech by Cumberland County Assistant District Attorney, Meg Elam. Jennifer Morin from “Not Here, Foundation for Hope & Grace” was there. Representatives of “Maine Sex Trafficking & Exploitation Network”, Jon Bradley, Director of “Preble Street”, and Michael O'Neal of “ Keeping Kids Safe”, Amy Paradysz, freelance writer from the Portland Press Herald, were all in attendance as well.
What made this event so great? Well, let me tell you. As a result of this event, we will be making a substantial contribution to both “Schools for Freedom” and “Preble Street Anti-Trafficking Coalition”.
The audience was entranced by the heart-felt stories of Dee Clark, trafficking survivor and “Homeless Voices for Justice” advocate, and Carol Metzker, author of “Facing the Monster” and a tireless crusader against child slavery. Many who attended had no prior knowledge of human trafficking and after hearing these impassioned speakers, came away with a new-found commitment to fight this human tragedy.
But beyond any financial contributions or attendance figures, the widespread new audience that was reached through the promotional efforts leading up to this event is probably the most valuable outcome. An estimated 1500 people were contacted directlyin the first round of Facebook announcements and that number exploded geometrically. Awareness is the key to any campaign like this and we’re off to a great start. Well done Rotary!
But beyond any financial contributions or attendance figures, the widespread new audience that was reached through the promotional efforts leading up to this event is probably the most valuable outcome. An estimated 1500 people were contacted directlyin the first round of Facebook announcements and that number exploded geometrically. Awareness is the key to any campaign like this and we’re off to a great start. Well done Rotary!
Favorable reviews have been arriving in a steady stream since Saturday morning on Facebook and in e-mails but I think Dave Griffiths, President of the Brunswick Coastal, said it best:
“That was a great event for two reasons:
-- Good music, good food, a festive atmosphere, further evidence of
district cohesion.
-- More importantly, I now know what "human trafficking" means.
The stories were compelling beyond anything I'd expected.
Thank you for your leadership.”
“That was a great event for two reasons:
-- Good music, good food, a festive atmosphere, further evidence of
district cohesion.
-- More importantly, I now know what "human trafficking" means.
The stories were compelling beyond anything I'd expected.
Thank you for your leadership.”
Finally, I think we demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that Rotarians can have fun while working on serious issues.
I would like to extend a special thank you to our hard-working event committee who made it all happen…Israel Collins, Marion Cheney, Claudia Frost, Charlotte Cry, Catherine Callahan, Jim Schmidt, Gwyneth Arrison, Suzanne Ilsley, Marge Barker, Dave Underhill, and Merrill Rollins. Thanks for making “Dress up to Drive Out Human-Trafficking” a success. Well Done!
Governor Sheila
I would like to extend a special thank you to our hard-working event committee who made it all happen…Israel Collins, Marion Cheney, Claudia Frost, Charlotte Cry, Catherine Callahan, Jim Schmidt, Gwyneth Arrison, Suzanne Ilsley, Marge Barker, Dave Underhill, and Merrill Rollins. Thanks for making “Dress up to Drive Out Human-Trafficking” a success. Well Done!
Governor Sheila