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Fil-Am nonprofit raises funds for human trafficking victims

A Fil-Am nonprofit in Virginia raises funds for human trafficking victims through an art auction.

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<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qsfNY6TOBQE?&amp;feature=youtu.be&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>A Filipino-American nonprofit recently led the auction of artworks during the Shine Bright Gala in Portsmouth, Virginia.The pieces of art were created by victims of human trafficking under a joint project by the Virginia Beach-based Enjewel, and Children’s House of Hope back in the Philippines.Enjewel founder and president Naomi Estaris said human trafficking victims find a way to healing through art.&quot;I can’t get people to come to an event where we will be talking about human trafficking but I can get you to come to an art gallery,&quot; she said. &quot;I will then give you an education about what’s happening in our own backyard and what are we gonna do about it.The gala, she added, is not only meant to raise awareness on human trafficking but also to help bring more art therapy in homes and shelters.<div><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiA-KbropOEAxXO1zQHHdYtCasQFnoECA8QAQ" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/10/18/23/fil-am-in-virginia-recognized-for-efforts-vs-human-trafficking" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/10/18/23/fil-am-in-virginia-recognized-for-efforts-vs-human-trafficking&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiA-KbropOEAxXO1zQHHdYtCasQFnoECA8QAQ" style="color:rgb(26, 13, 171);text-decoration:none;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);outline:0px;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)" id="isPasted"></a><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiA-KbropOEAxXO1zQHHdYtCasQFnoECA8QAQ" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/10/18/23/fil-am-in-virginia-recognized-for-efforts-vs-human-trafficking" id="isPasted" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/10/18/23/fil-am-in-virginia-recognized-for-efforts-vs-human-trafficking&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiA-KbropOEAxXO1zQHHdYtCasQFnoECA8QAQ" style="color:rgb(26, 13, 171);text-decoration:none;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);outline:0px;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">Fil-Am in Virginia recognized for efforts vs. human trafficking</a></div><div style="line-height:1.3;padding:0px;display:flex;text-size-adjust:none;position:absolute;left:0px;top:0px;align-items:center"><a data-ved="2ahUKEwiA-KbropOEAxXO1zQHHdYtCasQFnoECA8QAQ" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/10/18/23/fil-am-in-virginia-recognized-for-efforts-vs-human-trafficking" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/10/18/23/fil-am-in-virginia-recognized-for-efforts-vs-human-trafficking&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiA-KbropOEAxXO1zQHHdYtCasQFnoECA8QAQ" style="color:rgb(26, 13, 171);text-decoration:none;-webkit-tap-highlight-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);outline:0px;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255)"></a> </div>&quot;All the artwork we showcased were all done by survivors of human trafficking, both young and old,&quot; Astaris said. &quot;[Some are as] young as young as 13 years old, as old as 33 years old. Some 45 pieces were auctioned off in the hopes of bringing more art therapy in the homes today.&quot;Jennifer Holmes is one of the survivors who spoke during the event. With the help of a nonprofit organization, she found hope.&quot;My story is a combination of pain and resilience,&quot; said Holmes. &quot;I dedicated myself to advocacy, to breaking the generational cycle of these crimes. [I&#x27;m] determined to spread awareness and to be a voice to those who are still trapped in the darkness.&quot;Portsmouth City Mayor Paula Glover said she was stunned both by the beautiful artworks at the gallery and the stories of human trafficking survival such as Jennifer’s.She was also a bit emotional as she urged everyone to help the fight against human exploitation.&quot;I was in child care for 20 plus years and we mentored youth,&quot; Glover recalled. &quot;But this crime is unspoken of and is not very publicized. That needs to change.&quot;She added: &quot;I’m going to make an effort in my role in the things that I do every day to bring more awareness, more resources to this effort.&quot;Estaris said more help is needed to rebuild the lives of human trafficking victims. She said proceeds of the art auction will also go to the construction of a new girls home in the Philippines.&quot;We don’t want to put them into prison and get them out where they have no place or no choice to go,&quot; Estaris said. &quot;We’re providing a safe place. And that’s what Enjewel and Children’s House of Hope want to do.&quot;The U.S. State Department estimates that there are over 27 million victims of trafficking worldwide.In January, Virginia Beach issued a proclamation to commemorate National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.Estaris welcomed the proclamation and hopes more will stand up to join their cause.

A Fil-Am nonprofit in Virginia raises funds for human trafficking victims through an art auction.

Fil-Am nonprofit raises funds for human trafficking victims

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Fil-Am nonprofit raises funds for human trafficking victims

ABS-CBN News,

Monica Galozo | TFC News Virginia

Published February 05, 2024 11:40 AM PHT

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United States

Virginia

Art

Human Trafficking

Filipino American

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