While this year has been unpredictable and filled with disappointments and hardships, this holiday season, you can help bring hope and joy to those especially in need. As holiday shopping is underway, consider how you can make a difference for a survivor of human trafficking or someone who is vulnerable and at-risk. Whether it is through a gift for a survivor, someone at-risk, or that special someone in your life, your support, combined with the support of others, can be the difference between disappointment and hope. Take a look below and find practical ways to make holiday wishes come true.
Program Donations
Have you been wanting to donate to a program this holiday but don’t know what to buy? Wish lists are a great opportunity for you to provide specific items that will meet the needs and desires of a survivor. Programs across the U.S., from California to Georgia to Maryland, have put together wish lists so you can shop for exactly what is desired! Needed items may range from apparel, electronics, and home décor to books and gift cards. Check programs in your area and beyond to find out how you can support a survivor this year with a special gift just for them!
Survivor-Made
Still looking for that perfect gift, the one that is extra special and has a deeper meaning? Look no further than items made by Freedom Businesses from around the world. These businesses offer products made by survivors and those at-risk while also providing sustainable employment. Whether you are looking for candles, lotions, jewelry, apparel, scarves, bags, or more, you will be able to find a gift that offers freedom and special meaning.
To learn more about what Freedom Businesses are, how and where they operate, and what products are included, listen in to the conversation with Freedom Businesses leaders and Justice UTM.
To get started, be sure to check out gift guides from the Freedom Business Alliance, New Creation, Star Fish Project, and Fair Trade. To find more Freedom Businesses and their products, read the Engage Together® Blog “Businesses That Bring Freedom”.
Holiday Wishes
While the holidays can be a time filled with joy and anticipation, for others, they may be a time of anxiety and disappointment. For foster youth who have faced difficult challenges and instability, having a Christmas wish granted can bring joy and cheer. It can also be a way that their needs and desires are met so that they’re not vulnerable to a trafficker seeking to build a false relationship by meeting those needs. For foster and adoptive families, as well as families with an incarcerated parent, extra support at the holidays can make a difference. Connect with your local social services or foster care agencies to learn more about the wishes of youth this holiday season.
Amazon Smile
Did you know you can give back through the purchases you make when shopping on Amazon? Shop at smile.amazon.com, and they will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to your favorite charitable organization with no extra fees or costs! Find out if your local shelters, organizations, and programs are listed, and let your shopping make a difference this season.
We want to hear from you!
As you consider the ways your holiday shopping can make a difference, be encouraged that granting these wishes is human trafficking prevention. Traffickers look for ways to exploit the vulnerabilities of people and seek to build relationships to gain trust and fill those needs. Don’t underestimate how much of an impact engaging with organizations and programs serving at-risk individuals, youth, and families can have, and know your gifts can support the employment and sustainability of survivors.
Let us know how you have helped make wishes come true this holiday! Email us at connect@engagetogther.com, we would love to hear from you!