Join SOZO At The Run 4 ONE 5k This January

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The Sozo Initiative would like to invite everyone in the Lakeland, Florida area to participate in the 2nd annual Run 4 One on January 17th, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. around Lake Hollingsworth. Run 4 One is a 5k that exists to raise funds to help rescue and restore victims of human trafficking and is a wonderful opportunity to do your part to end modern day slavery. Runners and non-runners are welcome and it will be a chipped time race. To register to walk or run go to the official website. If you do not live locally or are unable to participate in Run 4 One you may still give by going to the registration page and clicking on the donation button. There will also be a children’s fun run.

All of the proceeds from the event will be given to their three beneficiaries listed below:

The Porch Light A division of Florida’s Baptist Children’s Homes, Porch light is the first safe house in Lakeland that is specifically created to house victims of Human Trafficking. Porch light works to help restore these girls physically, mentally, and spiritually. The Porch Light is also supported by Top Buttons and The Sozo Initiative.

Project Rescue Project Rescue provides physical, emotional and spiritual rescue and holistic restoration to women and children in sexual slavery. Their multifaceted programs aim to provide a safe environment for transformation and growth. Their initiatives include aftercare homes, vocational training, after-school programs, night care shelters, HIV/Aids medical clinics, red light district churches and Sunday schools, and awareness and prevention programs. Project Rescue is also supported by the Top Buttons and The Sozo Initiative.

Belbin Family. The Belbin’s are a missionary family who work in the children’s homes of Northern India. These homes are where the sons and daughters of the women working in the brothels live. Through building relationships, supporting staff, and facilitating art projects designed to bring emotional and spiritual healing, they are impacting young girls in a significant way. This year we are raising funds to provide a playground for one of the homes.

To learn more about Run 4 One visit their Facebook page

Collecting And Repurposing Unwanted Jewelry To Help End Human Trafficking

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ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE COLLECTING YOUR UNWANTED JEWELRY!  As you purchase gifts and receive new accessories this holiday season, please consider donating your used or unwanted old accessories to FIGHT Ministries through Top Buttons.  We will send them all the donations we receive from you! So during the month of December, we would like to highlight one of our three anti-human trafficking organizations that The Sozo Initiative supports. F.I.G.H.T. Ministries, or Freeing Individuals from the Grasp of Human Trafficking, is a Christian organization located in the Dominican Republic. Their goal is to “rescue, rehabilitate and provide prevention to victims that are trapped in a system and society of oppression and abuse.”

As part of F.I.G.H.T.’s preventative and restorative efforts, they train the women and children in trades such as jewelry making and selling through a division of their ministry called New Creations. In order to keep up this trade they are in need of more supplies. F.I.G.H.T. needs your old, broken, or unwanted jewelry that they will renew into beautiful creations. The money they make by selling this jewelry will not only provide a job for those that have been rescued from human trafficking, but also prevents and protects girls that are at risk. So we are asking for you to donate your jewelry and help provide a job and safe place for these women and children.

 

Please read what one Dominican woman has to say about F.I.G.H.T. and to see how your donation can make a huge impact!

"I am 38 years old, mother of 4, only 2 are living. I can not read and this is my first job. My husband is currently out of work and through the opportunity with New Creations under F.I.G.H.T. Ministries, I am able to learn more about God, job skills and awareness of Human Trafficking. The money my daughter and I make from jewelry making provides food for our family and keeps us safe from desperate situations like prostitution and deceptive traffickers, offering to give my kids what I cannot: a better life. I am so thankful for this ministry!"

Top Buttons and the Sozo Initiative will be accepting your old, broken, or unwanted jewelry starting today through January 5th. The drop off location is located at 256 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801 from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.

If you are located outside of the Lakeland, FL area you may mail your jewelry to Top Buttons through the above address.


“We strive to be a voice for children that are dominated by the brutal world of modern-day slavery. Our purpose is to restore hope, healing, security and safety to children through the power of Christ.” - FIGHT

To learn more about FIGHT ministries please visit their website.

Join Us at The Porch Light's Shine A Light Weekend

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Among the three anti-human trafficking groups that Top Buttons initiative Sozo United for Freedom has partnered with, we'd like to take the opportunity to spotlight The Porch Light's own efforts to end human trafficking. The Porch Light is Lakeland, Florida’s first safe house for sex trafficked underage girls. Along with providing housing, girls are provided with education, medical care, counseling, and spiritual discipleship.  On top of that, the organization is continually taking the time to educate the public on prevention and working to change laws surrounding this issue.

Sozo United for Freedom wants to invite everyone in the Lakeland, Florida area to join us in shining a light on human trafficking during Porch Light’s Shine a Light fundraiser weekend. If you desire to do your part to help end human trafficking we ask you to join the Top Buttons team on the weekend of the 24th.


The Shine a Light weekend events include the following:

Shine a Light 5k

Friday, October 24 at 6:30pm Lake Hollingsworth 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland $30 – after October 3 Register under team top buttons

Shine a Light Festival

Saturday, October 25 from 10am – 1:00pm First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland FREE

Shine a Light Gala

Saturday, October 25 at 6:00pm • Florida Southern College Branscomb Auditorium 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland $50 – tickets include a performance featuring internationally-renowned recording artist Jason Castro, a former contestant on American Idol.


Regardless of whether or not you live in the area, there are several more ways to get involved with the porch light, from financial donations, to volunteering your time.  To learn more about the porch light and ways you can get involved visit The Porch Light's home page.

Sozo encourages you to find ways in your local community to get involved and do your part to end human trafficking. Perhaps there is an anti-human trafficking organization where you live where you can volunteer your time.  On the other hand, if you are already involved in ending modern slavery, we would love to hear from you and what you are doing to help end this issue!

 

Top Buttons joins the fight against human trafficking

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Top Buttons is excited to announce we are launching our anti-human trafficking initiative, Sozo United for Freedom. Through Sozo, we will be partnering with several different organizations to not only rescue and restore girls from slavery, but prevent it from happening to begin with. There are more slaves today than in any other time in history and Top Buttons knows you want to do something about it. Together, we can make an impact in ending modern-day slavery through awareness, education, fundraising, and outreach. In the future, you will be able to purchase fashion products that financially support the prevention, rescue, and restoration of girls around the world.

Visit Sozo online to find out more about Sozo and what you can do to get involved.