UN.Gift box - New England
In the decade since the New England GIFT Box project first debuted, awareness of human trafficking has grown. Regional task forces have strengthened collaboration and prevention training and organizational policies have expanded throughout New England. While much work remains, communities today are better equipped to recognize exploitation and respond together.
After an impactful series of programs across the region, the New England GIFT Box has now been retired from service. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to facilitate more than a dozen community campaigns that engaged thousands of participants in learning about human trafficking and exploring practical ways to prevent exploitation.
While the GIFT Box has completed its chapter, the mission continues. Today, The Freedom Café advances this work through community education, industry-specific trainings, leadership development, ethical consumer education, and advocacy events that equip individuals and organizations to recognize and respond to exploitation.
We are proud to share the history and impact of each GIFT Box campaign below and hope these stories inspire fresh ideas, new partnerships, and innovative approaches to prevention in the years ahead.
Initially launched at the 2012 Olympics in London by STOP THE TRAFFIK and the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), the GIFT Box supported large-scale awareness, introducing people to the issue of human trafficking and inspiring communities to take action toward a traffic-free world.
NE GIFT Box Campaign History
Sandwich, NH
September 18, 2021
8 Volunteer Advocates
78 Guest Visits/Conversations
Out of 26 Guest who filled out evaluations, 22 said they learned a significant amount more about human trafficking and 20 said they plan to take further action and are more likely to support Fair Trade products.
Host:
Sandwich Community Church
Laconia Pumpkin festival
Oct. 12, 2018 - October 13, 2018
Despite rain during parts of Pumpkin Fest, our GIFT Box Team shared resources with over 125 people and had important conversations with 71 guests during the two day event. Thank you to The NH Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force for hosting and to the many sponsors and volunteers who made this event possible.
125 Guests Attended
26 Volunteer Advocates Trained
Host:
NH Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force
Sponsors:
Plymouth State University
Love146 New Hampshire Volunteer Team
AutoServ of Laconia
Donna Gaudet Hosmer
NECAT
Turning Point Christian Fellowship
Navigating Recovery of Lakes Region
UNH and Laconia Police Departments
3S Artspace
November 17 - 19, 2016
243 Guests Attended
49 Volunteer Advocates Trained
Event Host:
The Freedom Cafe
Sponsors:
Soulfest
August 4 - 6, 2016
680 Guests Attended
18 Volunteer Advocates Trained
Host:
LifeChurch!
“An ESL teacher from Philadelphia visited the GIFT Box and shared that she has experienced a number of situations that may be connected to human trafficking and did not known what it was or what to do. Because of the GIFT Box she is connecting with a local organization in the city to host a training on human trafficking for the teachers in the school. This training could prevent children who are otherwise vulnerable from being trafficked. ”
Cape Cod
May 27, 2016 - May 30, 2016
~ 500 Guests Attended
29 Volunteer Advocates Trained
Portsmouth, NH
November 20, 2015 - November 22, 2015
375 Guests Visited
43 Volunteer Advocates Trained
In the News: 'Gift Box' Art Display Unwraps Secrets of Human Trafficking
Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA
May 4th, 2015 - May 14th. 2015
2419 Guests Visited
50 Volunteer Advocates Trained
““Human trafficking is a worldwide crisis, that is happening here in our backyard. This practice is illegal and exploitative, and it often goes undetected. The GIFT Box is a unique way to raise awareness about sex trafficking, and how we can work together to end this demeaning crime.””
Boston College
April 24, 2015 - April 29, 2015
712 Guests Visited
40 Volunteer Advocates Trained
““It’s important to know that human trafficking is not a ‘far away issue,’ but something that happens here in the United States and even Boston as well,”. She hopes that people left the event “feeling empowered to take action to join the fight against human trafficking.””
University of New Hampshire
April 19, 2015 – April 23, 2015
1930 Guests Visited
55 Volunteer Advocates Trained
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
April 13, 2015 – April 17, 2015
652 Guests Visited
55 Volunteer Advocates Trained
““No little girl grows up wanting to be involved in a life of sexual exploitation. They do not dream about a career selling their bodies as commodities,” Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy Said. “The victims of these egregious crimes have not chosen this path for themselves. Traffickers prey on vulnerable people who often have no other options.””
Partners
