The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Event helps fight human trafficking
Through a collaborative and creative event on Feb. 17, EILEEN FISHER and the Hue Jackson Foundation raised awareness and funds to help fight human trafficking.
The event called a Day of Giving was held at the EILEEN FISHER store at 28601 Chagrin Blvd. in Woodmere Village. It featured a raffle and fashion show emceed by Kristi Capel of Fox 8 Cleveland.
Store Leader Megan Carvey said 10 percent of sales and all the proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Hue Jackson Foundation’s Survivors of Human Trafficking Residence.
The Hue Jackson Survivors of Human Trafficking Residence will offer a safe environment for victims to heal and focus on their treatment. It will include shared office space for law enforcement, healthcare and social service professionals who work with them. The foundation believes that in order for survivors to break the trafficking cycle, secure housing is critical.
While guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres accompanied with wine and marveled over the chic spring collection, they also learned some important facts about an issue that plagues numerous communities.
Human trafficking is something that is happening all around us,” Capel said. “Victims of human trafficking have been recovered in almost every suburb of Cuyahoga County. Human trafficking is a crime of keeping a person in a commercial situation of severe exploitation through force, fraud, or coercion. Victims can be children, teens, adults, male or female of any race or ethnic group. ”
It often forces people to engage in commercial sex, provide labor or services against their will.
“82 percent of victims are sex trafficking victims,” she said. “Here’s a shocking statistic — Ohio ranked fourth in the U.S. for reported cases.”
Cleveland Browns Head Coach Hue Jackson and his wife Michelle created the Hue Jackson Foundation in 2017 and are dedicated
“82 percent of victims are sex trafficking victims. Here’s a shocking statistic — Ohio ranked fourth in the U.S. for reported cases.” — Kristi Capel of Fox 8 Cleveland
to supporting nonprofit organizations that embolden and offer hope to victims of sexual exploitation and coercion, according to the news-release.
“This is something me and my wife are very committed to,” Hue said. ”It’s an issue, as Kristi just talked about, that has kind of gone unnoticed and we’re definitely trying to shed some light to it. It’s not just about football to me, it’s also about giving back to the community.”
The Hue Jackson Foundation is committed to empowering children, teen and adult survivors of Human Trafficking through the funding of organizations that champion for and serve as a voice for those who are exploited, according to its website.
Meanwhile, EILEEN FISHER is also very dedicated to this cause.
“Human trafficking and slavery has been an issue that EILEEN FISHER has been keenly aware of for many years, “the release states. “Through their grant programs, they have supported multiple non profit organizations working on this issue. In addition, since 2011, they have put more focus on this topic in their supply chain human rights program.”
Carvey said EILEEN FISHER is committed to getting involved in conversation and combating human trafficking in Cleveland.