Elisa & Avi #BOT2021 (tenth anniversary!)

We believe everyone should be free! This is the TENTH year since I started Blackout Trafficking (formerly the Little Black Dress Project). Over these ten years, we've raised just shy $100K for anti-trafficking organizations, mostly the little guys (whom I am passionate about)!

Speaking of little guys, after a lot of debate, Avi and I decided to fundraise this year for a local org, that is right accross the border for us, in Tijuana! Esmeralda, one of the founders, actually brought us our one-eyed cat, Queso, from a cat rescue there!

But, honestly, we're about this org because they help girls, who range from under ten to teens, who've been sexually exploited. Avi was three when I started Blackout Trafficking. But now she is thirteen, a teenager herself. She knows that no girls would choose to be sexually exploited. This is our small way of being allies with these girls.

Personally, merging the anti-trafficking movement with helping the refugee crisis is something very important to me. This last year, because of COVID-19 + the US borders shutting down for legal amnesty + a war in Central America (where people must escape or die) a really horrible dynamic was created. Doing anything to care for those who are risk of trafficking, especially young people, is worth rising up for!

The need for safe space for kids on the other side of the wall is HUGE. Especially for those who are ready to provide trauma-informed care. Faith, Hope, and Love has been been networking to find help and present in the midst of this crisis for these girls. They are working on getting their non-profit status, while also trying to provide the necessary care for these girls not just to have a safe space now, but give them what they need to move out on their own.

We've committed to wearing a black clothing item every day this March (Avi is wearing the same black shirt and BOT buttons. Elisa is wearing a black athletic tank top with her little black dress or antitrafficking earring/necklace/shirt). We are also committing to create awareness and fundraise! Why? We know we can do our small part to make a difference, as allies for freedom!

We invite you to join us doing Blackout Trafficking (never too late to join!) by registering at https://www.blackouttrafficking.org and choose your black item. Of course, you can also fundraise for one of our partners that stirs your heart!

Regardless, we're donating our money and we ask you'll donated $10 to Faith, Hope, and Love too!