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Woman's Club assisting human trafficking survivors

| 06 Mar 2017 | 01:16
    An unusual weapon in the war against modern-day slavery, donated bras help sex trafficking survivors make a living in the clothing markets of third world countries. The Vernon Township WomanþÄôs Club is collecting new and gently used bras to assist these women in their path to true freedom.
    An unusual weapon in the war against modern-day slavery, donated bras help sex trafficking survivors make a living in the clothing markets of third world countries. The Vernon Township WomanþÄôs Club is collecting new and gently used bras to assist these women in their path to true freedom.

VERNON — The Vernon Township Woman’s Club has launched a community-wide bra collection program to assist women and girls who were rescued from human trafficking and forced prostitution.
The club’s goal is to collect 500 new and used bras by May 31 for “Free The Girls,” an international non-profit organization devoted to providing sex trafficking survivors with a path to true freedom.
Donations of new or gently used bras empower these women – in El Salvador, Uganda and Mozambique – to start their own businesses by selling bras in local second-hand clothing markets while they recover and begin building a new life.
“Something that we take for granted can provide economic opportunity for our sisters around the world,” said Lisa Mills, president of the Vernon Township Woman’s Club. “Apparently a bra is a luxury item that commands top dollar in third world countries.” Free the Girls distributes the bras and collaborates with other charities in those countries to equip the women with the tools and opportunities to earn a safe living.
New and gently used bras can be donated at the following locations:
Wellness with Acupuncture, Viking Village, Suite E, 5 Route 94, Vernon
Highland Lakes Club House, 2240 Lakeside Drive West, Highland Lakes
Maidenform Outlet Store in Olde Lafayette Village, 75 Route 15, Lafayette
The number of people being held as slaves around the world today exceeds 27 million, three times the entire population of New Jersey and the highest number in history. The majority are females trapped in sex trafficking. Several tenacious organizations are rescuing these women out of prostitution, and then groups like Free the Girls step in to help provide job opportunities to survivors.
The long-term goal of Free the Girls is to ensure that the survivors enjoy economic freedom, restored health, social well-being, education, and opportunity for a different, hopeful future. To learn more, visit www.FreeTheGirls.org.
The GFWC Vernon Township Woman’s Club is dedicated to serving the community through charitable actions and is open to women of all ages who share a commitment of helping others. For more information, contact Maureen at 973-764-3185.