Join SOZO At The Run 4 ONE 5k This January

The Sozo Initiative would like to invite everyone in the Lakeland, Florida area to participate in the 2nd annual Run 4 One on January 17th, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. around Lake Hollingsworth. Run 4 One is a 5k that exists to raise funds to help rescue and restore victims of human trafficking and is a wonderful opportunity to do your part to end modern day slavery. Runners and non-runners are welcome and it will be a chipped time race. To register to walk or run go to the official website. If you do not live locally or are unable to participate in Run 4 One you may still give by going to the registration page and clicking on the donation button. There will also be a children’s fun run.

All of the proceeds from the event will be given to their three beneficiaries listed below:

The Porch Light A division of Florida’s Baptist Children’s Homes, Porch light is the first safe house in Lakeland that is specifically created to house victims of Human Trafficking. Porch light works to help restore these girls physically, mentally, and spiritually. The Porch Light is also supported by Top Buttons and The Sozo Initiative.

Project Rescue Project Rescue provides physical, emotional and spiritual rescue and holistic restoration to women and children in sexual slavery. Their multifaceted programs aim to provide a safe environment for transformation and growth. Their initiatives include aftercare homes, vocational training, after-school programs, night care shelters, HIV/Aids medical clinics, red light district churches and Sunday schools, and awareness and prevention programs. Project Rescue is also supported by the Top Buttons and The Sozo Initiative.

Belbin Family. The Belbin’s are a missionary family who work in the children’s homes of Northern India. These homes are where the sons and daughters of the women working in the brothels live. Through building relationships, supporting staff, and facilitating art projects designed to bring emotional and spiritual healing, they are impacting young girls in a significant way. This year we are raising funds to provide a playground for one of the homes.

To learn more about Run 4 One visit their Facebook page

Collecting And Repurposing Unwanted Jewelry To Help End Human Trafficking

ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE COLLECTING YOUR UNWANTED JEWELRY!  As you purchase gifts and receive new accessories this holiday season, please consider donating your used or unwanted old accessories to FIGHT Ministries through Top Buttons.  We will send them all the donations we receive from you! So during the month of December, we would like to highlight one of our three anti-human trafficking organizations that The Sozo Initiative supports. F.I.G.H.T. Ministries, or Freeing Individuals from the Grasp of Human Trafficking, is a Christian organization located in the Dominican Republic. Their goal is to “rescue, rehabilitate and provide prevention to victims that are trapped in a system and society of oppression and abuse.”

As part of F.I.G.H.T.’s preventative and restorative efforts, they train the women and children in trades such as jewelry making and selling through a division of their ministry called New Creations. In order to keep up this trade they are in need of more supplies. F.I.G.H.T. needs your old, broken, or unwanted jewelry that they will renew into beautiful creations. The money they make by selling this jewelry will not only provide a job for those that have been rescued from human trafficking, but also prevents and protects girls that are at risk. So we are asking for you to donate your jewelry and help provide a job and safe place for these women and children.

Please read what one Dominican woman has to say about F.I.G.H.T. and to see how your donation can make a huge impact!

"I am 38 years old, mother of 4, only 2 are living. I can not read and this is my first job. My husband is currently out of work and through the opportunity with New Creations under F.I.G.H.T. Ministries, I am able to learn more about God, job skills and awareness of Human Trafficking. The money my daughter and I make from jewelry making provides food for our family and keeps us safe from desperate situations like prostitution and deceptive traffickers, offering to give my kids what I cannot: a better life. I am so thankful for this ministry!"

Top Buttons and the Sozo Initiative will be accepting your old, broken, or unwanted jewelry starting today through January 5th. The drop off location is located at 256 N Kentucky Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801 from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m.

If you are located outside of the Lakeland, FL area you may mail your jewelry to Top Buttons through the above address.

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“We strive to be a voice for children that are dominated by the brutal world of modern-day slavery. Our purpose is to restore hope, healing, security and safety to children through the power of Christ.” - FIGHT

To learn more about FIGHT ministries please visit their website.

Top Buttons joins the fight against human trafficking

Top Buttons is excited to announce we are launching our anti-human trafficking initiative, Sozo United for Freedom. Through Sozo, we will be partnering with several different organizations to not only rescue and restore girls from slavery, but prevent it from happening to begin with. There are more slaves today than in any other time in history and Top Buttons knows you want to do something about it. Together, we can make an impact in ending modern-day slavery through awareness, education, fundraising, and outreach. In the future, you will be able to purchase fashion products that financially support the prevention, rescue, and restoration of girls around the world.

Visit Sozo online to find out more about Sozo and what you can do to get involved.