The Freedom Initiative is in the planning stages for
their next event. If you have any questions, please
feel free to email info_freedominitiative.org.
Hosted by the Freedom Initiative, the UNBOUND Conference features human trafficking activists who aim to educate people on the comprehensive factors that contribute to human trafficking, to empower individuals to develop a personal response to slavery, and to mobilize them to action.
Step 1: Registration -
Online registration is closed. Please
register at the door between 5-6pm,
April 16th or 8-9am, April 17th.
Thank you!
Step 2: Payment ($15, $10 for students)
Online Payment is closed as of April 11th.
Please Pay at the Door (Cash or check, sorry no credit).
Who We Are
Our Story
Meet the Team
2009 Summary
The Freedom Initiative is a coalition of university students in the Seattle area who have joined forces to combat human trafficking. This multifaceted and complex social issue demands an intricately strategic solution that can only be accomplished by the skillful collaboration of abilities, perspectives, and passions from a variety of individuals and organizations.
Thus, by bringing together community-based organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals who are active in the fight against modern day slavery, the Freedom Initiative team aims to educate people on the issue of Human Trafficking, to empower individuals to develop a personal response to slavery, and to mobilize them to action in the fight against it.
Find us on facebook.
Our Story...
In April of 2008, students from Mars Hill Graduate School, Northwest University, Seattle Pacific University, and the University of Washington met together to talk about fighting human trafficking in Seattle. Each of us had been involved in activism on our separate campuses, but as our networks grew we began to imagine what might happen if we collaborated, connecting our spheres of influence and our contacts with various organizations so that we could work together towards a slave-free Seattle.
A coalition was formed, and our mission was clear: to move our work beyond our universities and onto the streets of Seattle, to break every individual free from excuses of ignorance or inability and to empower them to fight against human trafficking.
Our vision for the UNBOUND conference was born out of our passion to connect the global images of slavery, which remain far removed from the daily lives of most people, with the reality of what is happening locally. We seek to encourage people from all walks of life to contribute their individual skills, whatever they might be, to end slavery. We realize that human trafficking is a multi-faceted issue, and are therefore convinced of the importance of developing an approach to this fight that acknowledges economic, political, and psychological factors.
The UNBOUND vision is guided by the belief that working with community-based organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and ministries offers a comprehensive response to modern day slavery which draws on varying skill sets and enables individuals to effect change. In addition to raising awareness, providing education, and empowering people to fight, UNBOUND provides an opportunity to connect people with and raise money for organizations working locally to provide services to victims of human trafficking.
We are incredibly grateful for the support we have been given; we have been mentored and coached by practitioners and invited to participate in discussions which are shaping a collective response to the issue of human trafficking in Seattle. Although when we began we had little idea of what it would take to host this conference, individuals and organizations have entrusted us with their resources. We have been encouraged as we encounter in the citizens of Seattle a commitment to seek justice and offer compassion that is beyond what we imagined. Perhaps the most significant part of this experience is the hope we find growing inside of us; we believe that the abolition of human trafficking is not only possible, but it is beginning to happen.
Bryce Bahler
Promotions Specialist
Walla Walla University
Brandon Duncan
Artistic Response Coordinator
Mars Hill Graduate School
Krista Haxton
Volunteer Coordinator
Seattle Pacific University Alumna
Liz Jarrard
Event Planning Coordinator
Northwest University
Tori Lewis
Public Relations Coordinator
Northwest University Alumna
Laura Medrano
Marketing Coordinator
Seattle Pacific University
Liz Orrestad
Unbound Team Leader
Unversity of Washington
Melanie Ukosakul
Research Specialist
Shoshana Weed
Administrative Team Leader
2009 Unbound Conference Summary
The first annual UNBOUND conference was held in May 2009 at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle. With approximately 350 participants attending from across Washington state, the two day conference featured keynote speaker Linda Smith, President and Founder of Shared Hope International, a series of workshops covering a variety of issues related to human trafficking (i.e. victim advocacy, victim aftercare, economic and political issues related to trafficking, etc) and a facilitated time of community networking. UNBOUND also gathered artists and musicians from the greater Seattle area for an artist-in-residency, which doubled as an artistic response space for conference participants.
UNBOUND 2009 resulted in the launch of Seattle Against Slavery (SAS), a network of individuals from various anti-trafficking civil society groups in the Seattle area. With involvement from college students and professionals alike, the current 85+ members of SAS work together to explore opportunities for city-wide collaboration, mobilization, and networking. For more information about SAS, please visit www.seattleagainstslavery.org.
The Freedom Initiative was proud to support the Washington Anti-trafficking Response Network (WARN) with the funds raised at UNBOUND 2009. For more information on WARN, visit www.warn-trafficking.org.
2010 Conference Information
Workshop Presentors
Kathleen Morris
Program Manager of the Washington Anti-trafficking Response Network (WARN)
Ye Ting Woo
Federal Prosecutor and member of WashACT
Dr. Kenman Wong
Professor of Business and Economics at Seattle Pacific University
Dr. Forrest Inslee
Professor of International Care and Community Development at Northwest University
Jane Tafel
Executive Director at Hagar USA
Mike Hogan
Regional Director of Church Mobilization at International Justice Mission (IJM)
Robert Beiser
Social Justice Director at J-Connect
Kevin Austin
Pastor at Lakeside Community Fellowship
Sheila Houston
Late Night Outreach Manager at New Horizons Ministries
Joanna Ward
Case Manager at YouthCare
Karin Effland
Shelter Project Manager at YouthCare
Gwen Young
Former member of the Gates Foundation
ScheduleFriday Night: 6-9pmSaturday: 9-4pmKeynote SpeakerDavid Batstone from Not for Sale
Schedule
Friday Night: 6-9pm
Saturday: 9-4pm
Keynote Speaker
David Batstone from Not for Sale
Musical Guest
Noah Gundersen
Sponsors
Luke 12:48 Foundation
WirelessWerks
UW Ethnic Cultural Center
UW School of Social Work
Full Schedule
How You Can Help• Promote the conference in your area• Help with fundraising• Lead a coin drive• Distribute pledge cards at your school, church, or workplace
How You Can Help
• Promote the conference in your area
• Help with fundraising
• Lead a coin drive
• Distribute pledge cards at your school, church, or workplace
• Request sponsorship from local businesses (sponsors will be advertized on the Freedom Initiative website and conference participant notebook)
• Share your fundraising ideas
• Help with the Artist Residency
• Contribute Specific Skills
•
• Tell us what your interests are. We may need your help with other
things as well!
To get involved, email info_freedominitiative.org and let us know what your specific interests are.
Donate
More About Human Trafficking
• Trafficking in Persons Report 2008
• Trafficking in Persons Report 2009
• UNODC Report on Human Trafficking, February 2009
Conference Registration Payment (Closes April 11th)
Go to New Horizons Foundation
Follow these directions:
Step 1: Click on the "Operating Projects" tab
Step 2: Scroll down to Freedom Initiative section
Step 3: Click "Donate Now"
Step 4: Choose your method of payment
Step 5: Select "One-Time" payment
Step 6: Fill out the required information and select "Freedom Initiative" for the Operating Project and make sure to write "Conference Registration Fee" in the Comments section.
Donate Online
Step 6: Fill out the required information and select "Freedom Initiative" for the Operating Project and make sure to write "Freedom Initiative Donation" in the Comments section
Donate by Mailing a Check
You can mail your check to:
New Horizons Foundation, Inc.
4570 Hilton Parkway, Suite 203
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
* Please make checks payable to:
New Horizons Foundation
* Write "Freedom Initiative Donation"
on the memo line of the check
OR
If you would like to donate your time
and talents to the Freedom Initiative,
please contact: info_freedominitiative.org
Click here to learn more about
ABOUT NEW HORIZONS FOUNDATION:Go to New Horizons FoundationThe New Horizons Foundation is a nonprofit tax-exempt public charity organized and operating under the laws of Colorado for the purpose of helping individuals accomplish their charitable objectives in religious, educational, scientific, benevolent and health related activities*. Though much of the money contributed to the Foundation each year is given to support existing charitable organizations, the Foundation is not directly controlled or affiliated with any specific organization.New Horizons Foundation has created an operating project to facilitate the funding of the Unbound Conferences through a Freedom Initiative Project account. Donations given to the Freedom Initiative Project are tax deductible and will be receipted by New Horizons Foundation. In addition, New Horizons Foundation will collect conference registration fees which will be added to the Freedom Initiative Project account. However, registration fees are not tax deductible as they are being paid in exchange for a service.* New Horizons Foundation is not affiliated with New Horizons Ministries.
ABOUT NEW HORIZONS FOUNDATION:
The New Horizons Foundation is a nonprofit tax-exempt public charity organized and operating under the laws of Colorado for the purpose of helping individuals accomplish their charitable objectives in religious, educational, scientific, benevolent and health related activities*. Though much of the money contributed to the Foundation each year is given to support existing charitable organizations, the Foundation is not directly controlled or affiliated with any specific organization.
New Horizons Foundation has created an operating project to facilitate the funding of the Unbound Conferences through a Freedom Initiative Project account. Donations given to the Freedom Initiative Project are tax deductible and will be receipted by New Horizons Foundation. In addition, New Horizons Foundation will collect conference registration fees which will be added to the Freedom Initiative Project account. However, registration fees are not tax deductible as they are being paid in exchange for a service.
* New Horizons Foundation is not affiliated with New Horizons Ministries.
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