Free the Captives’ Newsletter, November 24, 2015

Surreal moment…one of my very first teen trafficking victims from SIX years ago found me yesterday on Facebook and we caught up. It has been a long, hard six years for her, but she still had the journal I gave her, where she had written down our lessons and her goals and dreams. I am amazed she still had the journal and am so blessed to see God using those lessons from so long ago. So very often you don’t ever see fruit, but I got a small glimpse of His work yesterday. #Thankful

She was trafficked at 14 in Alief. We worked with her and planted seeds. We studied the Bible, went to the Cockrell Butterfly Center, ate out a lot, and then she disappeared. And six years later, she is back — all grown up. And we’ll pick up right where we left off. #GodisGood

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for your support and prayers!

Julie Waters, JD
Founder and Executive Director
Free the Captives

Paid Summer Anti-Trafficking Internships: Apply by 12/31

Free the Captives is seeking college interns (undergraduate or graduate) for our summer job program for trafficked teens. This is your opportunity to make a difference. You will be working directly with our girls as they make candles and learn skills such as budgeting, resume writing, and interviewing.

We have already started interviewing candidates and offering positions. Don’t delay in applying! Applicants who postmark their applications by Dec. 31, 2015 will be eligible for the $1000 internship stipend; there are a limited number of paid internship positions available.

Interns must be available from June 4 to August 14, 2016 and will work 30 to 40 hours per week. They will need to have reliable transportation and find their own housing in Houston. Completed applications include a properly formatted cover letter, resume, official or unofficial transcripts, and Free the Captives’ internship application. To request our internship application, please email info@freethecaptiveshouston.com with your name and which school you attend.

2nd Annual Gala Volunteer Meeting, Dec. 6

Do you enjoy event planning, decorating or throwing amazing parties? We are looking for volunteers to help with our annual fundraising gala. We will hold our first planning meeting on Dec. 6, Sunday, at 2pm at Bridgepoint Bible Church, 13277 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079. We need help with our host committee, silent auction, decorations, and more. Email info@freethecaptiveshouston.com to RSVP for the gala meeting.

Register for our 6th Annual Human Trafficking Conference: Limited Seating

Join Free the Captives’ 6th Annual Houston Human Trafficking Conference on January 20 from 8am to 4pm at the Houston Food Bank. Congressman Ted Poe, Harris County DA Devon Anderson and Sheriff Ron Hickman will be among our speakers. Seating is limited. Register today!
This conference, “Sex Trafficking: The Basics and Beyond” is perfect for everyone, including people new to human trafficking to those who are established in the field and are seeking updates on the work being done in Houston. Learn how you can make a difference!

Job Opening at Free the Captives

This mission driven nonprofit is seeking a dynamic candidate for an administrative assistant position. The ideal candidate is passionate about fighting human trafficking, has an eye for detail, excels at social media and maintaining a strong web presence, and will report directly to the Executive Director.

This is a part-time position of 20 hours/week with the potential to become full-time. The hourly rate will be based on general rates for this position. The position is located in Spring/The Woodlands with travel required throughout the greater Houston area. Responsibilities and duties are listed here.

To Apply: Mail a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three reference letters to Free the Captives, 2211 Rayford Road, Suite 111-418, Spring, TX 77386. Only complete applications will be considered. Please do not email your application.

In your cover letter, please include links to your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram profiles as well as any websites you have helped to design or contributed to in the past. Also include college transcripts if you have graduated within the last three years as well as samples of any content designed such as flyers, videos, websites or brochures.

No phone calls or email inquiries please. Only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted. Position available immediately. Browse our Catalogue to…

Buy hand poured soy candles made by teen trafficking survivors in Houston
Learn how our job program, New Creations, changes lives
Discover the amazing work that the girls put into creating these beautiful candles
Explore the seven scents of our aromatherapy candles

We are seeking businesses and churches to purchase and resell these premium soy candles handcrafted by our teen trafficking survivors.

Where You can buy Candles made by our Teen Trafficking Survivors:

A 2nd Cup, coffee shop (The Heights)
College of Biblical Studies, bookstore (Southwest Houston)
Spring Pearl Dental (Spring/The Woodlands)
Shops Down Under (Downtown Houston)
Free the Captives’ events or meetings

Additionally, individuals can buy cases of candles by emailing info@freethecaptiveshouston.com. They make great Christmas gifts! The candles are not available online and can only be ordered by the case ($20 per candle, 12 candles per case) with discounts for additional cases purchased in a single order.

We are thankful to Sugar Land Baptist Church for buying 10+ cases, Second Baptist’s North Campus, 5 cases, and Houston Chinese Church, 4 cases of our candles! Many thanks to Dr. Joe Parle for sponsoring a case of candles by buying them for the College of Biblical Studies’ bookstore. If you would like to support our teen trafficking survivors by purchasing candles in bulk for your store, please email info@freethecaptiveshouston.com.

Freedom Fest & 5K Volunteer Meeting, Dec. 6

Our 2nd Annual Freedom Fest and 5K planning is well underway! And we would love your help! Join us on Dec. 6, Sunday, from 4pm to 6pm at Bridgepoint Bible Church, 13277 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079.

We are thankful for Fox26, First Baptist Church Friendswood, Kingsland Baptist Church, Community of Faith, The Woodlands United Methodist Church and Weingarten Realty for being among our first sponsors for our 5K. Thank you for helping us to reach out to neighborhoods that are hit hard by trafficking. Email info@freethecaptiveshouston.com for sponsorship information.

Join our volunteer meeting to help with marketing, 5K logistics, children’s activities, art display, music, food booths, game booths and more. Last year we had over 300 volunteers. RSVP for the Dec. 6 meeting at info@freethecaptiveshouston.com.

If you can’t volunteer, register yourself or start a running/walking 5K team! Sign up at http://www.freethecaptiveshouston.com/houston-human-trafficking-5k/. Help us get the word out! Register and then invite your friends to join you.

Calendar of Events

12/6 – 2nd Annual Gala Planning Committee Meeting, Bridgepoint Bible Church, 2pm
12/6 – Freedom Fest & 5K Volunteer Meeting, Bridgepoint Bible Church, 4pm
1/20 – Free the Captives’ 6th Annual Houston Human Trafficking Conference, Houston Food Bank
4/9 – Freedom Fest & 5K, Mason Park