ICA is hosting our 3rd Annual 5K Run/Walk for Freedom on:
Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Queeny Park in Ballwin, near St. Louis, MO

 CASH PRIZES ranging $150 to $50 will be awarded for the top three male and female runners.

The first 5 individuals who raise $500 will receive incredible prizes (TBD).
The top individual who raises the most funds will also receive $100 cash.
Individuals raising $75 in addition to their registration fee will receive an ICA SAFE t-shirt.
Individuals raising $25 in addition to their registration fee will receive a tab bracelet.

Register by June 1 to Save Almost 20%

Early-Bird Special: $25 if you register by June 1
Regular Rate: $30
Procrastinators Rate: $40 after September 21

Registration will begin at 8am and the Run/Walk will begin at 9am

Proceeds benefit ICA's Safe Campaign to help rescue
and rehabilitate victims of sex trafficking.

Registerby mail or online: http://www.crisisaid.org/5k.html 

Click here to help rescue victims of sex trafficking:

https://www.crisisaid.org/donatesecure.html

Almost 300,000 AMERICAN children are at risk for trafficking into the sex industry. (USDOJ)

The average age of an American victim is 11-14 years old.  But most victims are not rescued until age 15.  And even then, only a handful receive rehabilitative services due to lack of Safe Homes. (USDOJ)

Since 2006, International Crisis Aid has rescued over 130 girls ages 4-25 years old from this horror.  We have watched them go from victim to survivor.  From hopeless to accomplished.  From being rescued to being the rescuer.

ICA currently operates 6 Safe Homes in Ethiopia.  Please join us in our U.S. Safe Campaign to open Safe Homes in the U.S. for American victims.  Please donate  $11  today, to honor the thousands of American children and young adults being held captive on 1/11/11.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE $11 TO RESCUE AMERICAN GIRLS

If you are interested in learning how you can get more involved in this cause, please contact our office at info@crisisaid.orgor 1-888-740-7779.
 

Sincerely,

Pat & Sue Bradley

International Crisis Aid

Purchase bracelets or t-shirts and 100% will help rescue girls from sex trafficking!   

http://www.crisisaid.org/products.html

This is why ICA is raising funds to open a Safe Home in St. Louis.

Visit www.crisisaid.org to make a donation or find out how you can help.

Link to the girl sharing her story:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/portland-emerges-hub-child-sex-trafficking/story?id=11690544

Sandy and Laurie completed the entire race together, with Sandy finishing strong by running through the last part of the course.  She later told Laurie that it was the first time she had ever run.  In the past 9 months, she has lost 100 pounds.

She will always remember this event as a day that greatly moved her – for the girls that have been rescued, and for this important milestone in her life.  Sandy is now working as a health coach with Laurie.

Click Here For Full PDF Newsletter: https://www.crisisaid.org/ICAPDF/Ethiopia/etaug10.pdf

As I looked ahead, I noticed a shadow in the doorway. This was not unusual. It was a dark, moonless night in early February, 2007; my second visit to the red light district in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I had already passed hundreds of shadows in doorways, but I sensed something different about this one. 

There was very little ambient light available and I had to use the light on my cell phone to walk through the uneven alleys littered with dirt, holes and sewage. At times, the stench was overwhelming. It is a place not suited for animals, much less humans. But there they are, every day, every night, without hope, the girls in the shadows. 

As we walked, I decided to just keep going; after all, what could I possibly do to help her? We had no funds available as our current programs were stretching our meager budget.  

I walked about 30 feet past the girl in the shadow when I had an overwhelming sensation that I should go back and strike up a conversation with her.  I came to learn that the shadow had a name; her name was Melesech, and she had a dream and a prayer.

At the age of 11, she was on her own. 

At the age of 14, she became trapped in a life of sexual slavery. 

At the age of 23, she died from AIDS.  

To continue reading her story, click here for full Newsletter: https://www.crisisaid.org/ICAPDF/Ethiopia/etaug10.pdf