September 18^th – 26^th

Houston Rescue and Restore Coalition is excited to announce the schedule of events for the 4th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Week

Press Conference: September 14th @ 10AM

Join us on the steps of City Hall to kick-off Human Trafficking Awareness Week 2010: No Human Life Should be for Sale. HRRC will be receiving a proclamation provided by the Mayor’s office of Houston declaring the third week of September as Human Trafficking Awareness Week. All are welcome to attend – a special event you won’t want to miss will take place to launch the press conference. Co-sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. Location: 901 Bagby, Hermann Square.

The Scandal of Human Trafficking in Houston and Beyond, Sept. 17th @ 7pm

David Batstone, Ph.D., an internationally recognized expert on human trafficking, author of Not For Sale, an examination of the global slave trade and co-founder of the “Not for Sale” campaign will be speaking at the Rothko Chapel, 3900 Yupon Street.

The Big Dipper Dash: 5K Fun Run/Walk, September 18^th @ 6pm

Join us for our kick-off event, a 5K Fun Run/Walk underneath the stars (including the big dipper) as a remembrance of those who ran for their freedom as part of the Underground Railroad and for those who are currently enslaved and are still yearning for their freedom.  The run will take place along the seawall in Galveston.  This is an event open to the entire family. To register for the race, click here.

Faith and Freedom Weekend: An Inter-Faith Initiative, September 18^th & 19th

Communities of faith across Greater Houston are invited to participate in our Freedom and Faith Weekend.  HRRC will provide places of worship with resources to focus their spiritual teaching/sermons, etc around the issue of modern day slavery during this weekend.  Freedom and Faith Weekend will culminate with an Interfaith Service at St. John’s Presbyterian Church (5020 W. Bellfort) with guest speaker Minister Damico who will speak about the appropriate response of faith communities to the injustice of human trafficking.  To pledge your support and to RSVP for the Interfaith Service, click here.

California Pizza Kitchen FUNdraiser: September 20th and 27th

Turn your appetite into abolition during this year’s human trafficking awareness week by enjoying a bite to eat at your local CPK location (3 in Houston: Memorial City, River Oaks and Post Oak). Click here to obtain the official fundraiser flyer. Present the flyer to your server and 20% of the total bill will be donated to HRRC.

Health Professionals and Human Trafficking: September 21st @ 1:00pm

Learn how you as a health professional are a key stakeholder in combating human trafficking. This training will equip health care providers with base knowledge about human trafficking, the tools to be able to identify potential victims that may come to their clinic or hospital and how to properly connect those victims to the appropriate care and services. Location: Children’s Nutrition and Research Auditorium at Texas Children’s Hospital, 1100 Bates Ave Houston, TX 77030. Space is limited, so register early. To register click here or contact the HRRC office at 713-874-0290.

Bus Tour*: September 22^nd @ 6:30pm

The educational bus tour will be an interactive training for the community to learn how to identify “red flags” of human trafficking. The bus tour will end with a social event at a local art studio for further discussion and awareness.  Space will be limited and tickets must be purchased in advance! Location: Vox Culture

Upper Kirby Coaster Crawl: September 23rd @ 6pm

HRRC volunteers will have the opportunity to socialize, raise awareness, and learn more about HRRC as they pass out human trafficking awareness coasters to local restaurants, bars, and cafes.  Limited space will be available to participate in the Coaster Crawl, if interested contact volunteer@houstonrr.org

Shop Smart: An Abolitionist’s Shopping Guide Workshop: September 24^th @ 6pm

The workshop will include a holiday shopping guide for slave free products and a mini seminar on labor trafficking and the type of consumerism that fuels it. There will also be opportunities to purchase slave free products at the event.  Location: Taft Street Coffee House, 2115 Taft St.

Our Asian Community & Human Trafficking: September 25^th @ 11am

The goal of this event is to take a closer look at how human trafficking affects our local Asian communities.   A panel discussion will consist of local law enforcement active in the Asian community, Asian community leaders, and Human Trafficking experts.  Location: Chinese Community Center, 9800 Town Park Drive

Labor Trafficking Prevention Training for Immigrant Workers: Sept 25^th @ 6pm

This prevention training will focus on labor trafficking and the history of immigrant workers as slaves.  HIWJ will also be releasing their finding from their domestic worker survey project.

Location: Houston Interfaith Worker Justice, St. Steven’s Episcopal, 1805 W. Alabama

Pasión en Juego Soccer Tournament*: September 26^th @ 9am

The “Slave Free” soccer tournament will utilize slave free t-shirts and soccer balls. This is a family-friendly event, as there will be educational booths set up throughout the park informing attendants about human trafficking, with a focus on forced labor.  All interested players must be 18 or older.  All teams must register in advance.  To register your team for this tournament contact: steven@houstonrr.org.  Location: Maya Park, 2026 Connorvale Rd.

College Campus Events: Varies Time and Dates

Awareness events will take place on local college campuses across the city. To date, the following events have been scheduled:

*Reoccurring Human Trafficking Awareness Week event from past years