Dressember...what in the world?

Dear friends, 

 

I'm writing to let you know of a project I'm participating in this December. It's called Dressember, and it's a month of wearing dresses. Every December since 2009, women across the world have been participating in this style challenge by wearing a dress every day for the entire month, in celebration of fun, femininity, and fostering a global community.

 

This year, Dressember has taken on new meaning by aligning with International Justice Mission, a human rights organization that works to end human trafficking, sexual slavery, and other forms of violent oppression that exist in our world. Did you know that over 27 million men, women, and children are trapped in slavery today? That number is greater than during the entire Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Through a fun and quirky style challenge, Dressember participants will rally awareness and raise vital funds to contribute to the global effort to put an end to modern-day slavery.

"This is directly from the IJM website...

What We Do

IJM seeks to make public justice systems work for victims of abuse and oppression who urgently need the protection of the law.

Collaborative Casework Model

IJM investigators, lawyers and social workers intervene in individual cases of abuse in partnership with state and local authorities.
By pushing individual cases of abuse through the justice system from the investigative stage to the prosecutorial stage, IJM determines the specific source of corruption, lack of resources, or lack of good will in the system denying victims the protection of their legal systems. In collaboration with local authorities, IJM addresses these specific points of brokenness to meet the urgent needs of victims of injustice.
IJM seeks 4 outcomes on behalf of those we serve:

1. Victim Relief

IJM's first priority in its casework is immediate relief for the victim of the abuse being committed.

2. Perpetrator Accountability

IJM seeks to hold perpetrators accountable for their abuse in their local justice systems. Accountability changes the fear equation: When would-be perpetrators are rightly afraid of the consequences of their abuse, the vulnerable do not need to fear them.

3. Survivor Aftercare

IJM aftercare staff and trusted local aftercare partners work to ensure that victims of oppression are equipped to rebuild their lives and respond to the complex emotional and physical needs that are often the result of abuse.

4. Structural Transformation

IJM seeks to prevent abuse from being committed against others at risk by strengthening the community factors and local judicial systems that will deter potential oppressors. "

 

If you, like myself and so many others, are outraged by the stories of forced prostitution, slavery, and trafficking that are happening in virtually every country today in our world, and wish to join in the effort to stop it-- providing rescue for victims without a defender-- one way you can do so is by become a sponsor this Dressember. To sponsor me, visit Dressember.net and make a tax-deductible donation. You will have the opportunity to note that the donation is on my behalf, or you can make a general donation to the campaign (anonymously, if you prefer).

Any amount helps, and 100% of donated funds will go directly to International Justice Mission.  So far Dressember2013 has raised $100K!!  That is in 22 days!  With 8 days left of the challenge....imagine what can be done!  Imagine how many men, women and children could be freed to live without being in slavery, abused, and kept from their loved ones!  Imagine what YOU can do to help!

 

To learn more about Dressember, visit:

www.dressember.net

@dressember on Instagram

 

To learn more about International Justice Mission, visit:

www.ijm.org

 

To make a donation to my personal campaign:

https://www.ijmfreedommaker.org/campaign/2063/Dressember-for-IJM/

 

Together, we can make an impact that outlives us.  Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to know more about Dressember or IJM!

 

All my best,

Melissa