November 20, 2019
2nd Annual Conscious Consumer Fair
Saturday Nov. 30, 9am – 3pm Tea tasting, coffee, chocolate, local vendors, makers & gifts from around the globe that create economic opportunity for vulnerable populations
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Field Notes & Dispatches
News & stories
November 11, 2019
“We Can End Human Trafficking One Conscious Purchase at a Time!”
https://youtu.be/0ywAc96JfNY Bryan Bessette, executive director and co-founder of The Freedom Café had the privilege of speaking at the 2019 Portsmouth TEDx event. His talk invites everyday consumers to engage in the fight to END human trafficking, “One Conscious Purchase at a Time”. Bessette shares that, “We are not powerless. We can do something to effect change.”
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November 1, 2019
“What’s Your Story?” Music & Storytelling Nov. 16th
We hope you will join us on Saturday, November 16th for our "What's Your Story?" event, which will feature a story from our intern duo along with a brilliant line up of regional and local storytellers.
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September 23, 2019
“Wont’ You Help to Sing” a Benefit Concert to End Human Trafficking!
On Friday, April 3, 2020, at The Portsmouth Music Hall, The Freedom Café in collaboration with Sweaty Turtle Entertainment is hosting the American Vinyl All Star Band with members from The Wailers, Boston, Steely Dan, The James Brown Band, & The Doobie Brothers. Proceeds from the event will support the non-profit work of The Freedom Cafe and the NH Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force.
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September 2, 2019
2019-20 Program & Sponsorship Opportunity Pack
Learn about our programs, work to end human trafficking and upcoming sponsorship opportunities. PDF Download Sponsorship Opportunities 2019/2020
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August 17, 2019
Welcome Sheetal & Asmita!
We are excited to welcome Sheetal and Asmita from the Kranti non-profit in Mumbai, India and look forward to your meeting them as they intern at The Freedom Café this fall. This experience will prepare them to start a café in Mumbai creating a safe space for the community and economic opportunity for survivors of trafficking. Stop by and say namaste at the cafe or at one of our upcoming events this fall!
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July 9, 2019
The Freedom Café – Background, Inspiration & Challenges
How do you beat the odds? By tapping into the power of the people around you. That’s what Bryan Bessette says. He’s the founder of Freedom Cafe, a non-profit working to end human trafficking. To launch Freedom Cafe, Bryan put together a board of directors, recruited some sixty-odd volunteers from the local university, and wrangled a bunch of free equipment from a generous neighbor. Whether you’re trying to start a socially conscious business or not, Bryan has plenty of insights to share about harnessing the power of your network and jumping in with both feet.
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June 18, 2019
TEDx Portsmouth
We are happy to announce that our Executive Director, Bryan Bessette, has been selected as a speaker at TEDxPortsmouth in September! Bryan is among an inspiring lineup of 16 speakers and change-makers, and is excited for this opportunity to share his story. Tickets are on sale now and are going fast; get yours today at tedxportsmouth.com/attend !
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May 1, 2019
NH Gives 2019 – Mumbai Internship Program
An amazing opportunity has opened up for The Freedom Café to host a 4 month internship this fall, 2019! The project will equip two young leaders from Mumbai, India with knowledge and skills to help them develop and launch a café and community center in Mumbai's red light area, providing job skills and economic opportunity to vulnerable individuals that include survivors of human trafficking.
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April 9, 2019
“I believe that EVERY NH teenager should hear from The Freedom Café”
Following an event with the IMPACCT program at Manchester Community College, program instructor Mimi shared, "I have a group of high school students who attend our program from all around our region. Our goal is to prepare them for their life after high school, and to help ensure that they have the skills and knowledge base necessary to be successful in whatever endeavor they choose after graduation… The presentation on Human Trafficking was substantial and well organized. It introduced my students to, what for many of them was inconceivable;
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