Why Support Freedom Businesses?

More than 40 million people live in slavery around the globe today, 71% of people trapped in slavery are women or children. Human trafficking is modern day slavery, and includes sex trafficking and forced labor. In fact, 25 million people are forced into labor today.

When we first learned these statistics, we felt a burden to respond to help bring about the change we want to see in the world. 

The Holiday Freedom Market was launched in 2019 by a small group of women in Northern Virginia to raise awareness for freedom initiatives by promoting freedom businesses, which work to restore dignity to exploited women and empower them with education and careers. The 2019 Holiday Freedom Market was funded and hosted at Open Door Presbyterian Church in Herndon, VA, which has been in partnership with Justice Ventures International for over a decade to help stop human trafficking.

Women and children are often forced or led into slavery because of poverty, but freedom businesses exist to empower vulnerable enslaved women with opportunities to escape exploitation. We want to stand in the gap with these businesses and build a legacy of freedom around the globe. Our purchase decisions have the power to address human rights issues and build a legacy of freedom.

 

This year, we will be selling both a virtual pop-up shop and in person two-day event with a goal to raise $15,000 to support Justice Ventures International.

100% of the product proceeds from the sale of this year’s Holiday Freedom Market will benefit Justice Ventures International and freedom businesses.