Blog

As we approach the Christmas season, I ponder our humanity...our sameness. Too often we become divided by observing and obsessing over our differences, and this can be especially true of those with whom we do not share life perspective or paradigm. Suddenly, and often unintentionally, our fellow humans become "they." "They" of the other political party. "They" of another race. "They" from a different country. "They," the poor and needy. "They" who have been trafficked or exploited. You see, this division can arise even out of our sympathies. From my personal experience with working with dear ones who have been...

Hello! If you don't follow us on social media then you may not know that today and tomorrow we are hosting a Fair Trade Christmas Market! We are excited to have a handful of vendors joining with us to make beautiful products available to our Colorado Springs community! I'm also excited because we are running this event to benefit Sarah's Home, which is a local shelter for women who have been rescued from sex trafficking. We hope you can come, learn, and shop! The market is open: Friday 11/16 1:30pm-8:30pm Saturday 11/17 8:30-1:30 See you soon!

Food connects people. Yet often so little is known about the food supply chain. A recent awareness of the connection of the food and human trafficking has caused many to look at the food chain for ethically sourced food. In 2015 the US State Department’s annual human trafficking report brought to light many concerns in the agricultural, fishing and aqua cultural fields. Food sources were such a concern that of the 48 areas highlighted for additional scrutiny, almost half of them were related to the food industry. There has also been an increased awareness of human trafficking in restaurants and...

Probably most children, at one point or another, wonder what life would be like on their own or threaten to run away. My boys frequently joke about this every time I further limit their electronic time or increase their responsibilities. I’ve made it to the “bad mom” list more than once this month by way of both of these parenting strategies. But, ultimately, my boys know they are loved and cared for. Little do children know the real danger posed to those who do run away. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, “Of the nearly 25,000 runaways reported to...

In its most basic terms, a freedom business is a business with a focus on hiring people who are at risk for exploitation or those that have survived exploitation. Although this terminology might limit the intention as well. While a regular business focuses on profit, a freedom business keeps three bottom lines in mind--profit, planet, and people. Freedom businesses can also be interchangeable with Social Enterprises. Again, the idea of removing profit as the linchpin for success and widening the terms of accomplishment. This turn to business to make a difference for people and planet really erupted for two reasons;...