get involved: how to be the
light
handbook
table of >> 4-5 the reality of 6-7 human trafficking awareness first. 8 then action. get involved: 9 volunteer who we are; what we do
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>>>>>>>>>> 10-11 plan a campus talk 12 donate 13 host a dinner for Urban Light
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who we are + what we do: Urban Light is not just a name, it’s a movement— a movement dedicated to restoring, rebuilding and empowering the lives of boys who are so often forgotten within the dialogue of abuse, exploitation and trafficking. Urban Light is committed to disrupting the complacency that has taken over an entire global community of onlookers and social service providers.
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Urban Light is a grassroo ts organizati o f a co m m u on made up nity of indiv iduals dedic noise regard a ted to makin ing boys wh g o are victim and exploita s of trafficking tion. Based in Chiang M the Urban L ai, Thailand, ight Youth C enter rebuil & empowers d s, restores the lives of boys who w red light dis ork in the trict by prov iding educati services + h on + health ousing & em ergency care . Urban Light exists as a re presentative cate for the a n d a d vo countless bo y s who are all absent from too often the global d ialogue of tr exploitation a ffi cking and . In response to absent so and support cial services , Urban Ligh t is dedicate ing fundame d to providntal tools to an at-risk po boys workin pulation of g in Chiang M ai, Thailand district. It is ’s red light the goal of U rban Light to this populati e m p o we r on of boys to live a life ou grasp of exp tside the loitation and trafficking.
Center Mom + Founder, Alezandra Russell With Urban Light boys
Thailand
Stateside—USA
The Urban Light Youth Center (ULYC) is located just a few blocks from Chiang Mai’s Red Light District. The Center is a place where boy’s, ages 14-24, can seek shelter and refuge from the many harsh realities that life on the street offers. Urban Light is made-up of a team that works 24-hours a day to empower our boys with to live healthy, happy and safe lives by providing immediate assistance surrounding education, health services, housing and emergency care.
Urban Light strives to be a global voice surrounding the issue of human trafficking and the exploitation of boys. Our team advocates on behalf of our Urban Light boys while constantly pushing to educate our global community on the rights of children—which includes boys. Our Center Mom + Founder, Alezandra, is committed to speaking to the global community regarding our efforts and work with boys in Thailand.
Our Services:
Awareness Tour:
Outreach
Housing
Campus talks
Community Organizations
Education
Prevention
Religious Organizations
Conferences
Health
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the reality of human trafficking As defined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, the legal definition of “severe forms of trafficking in persons� is: a) sex trafficking in which a commerical sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age; or
b) the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtainng of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
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#fastfacts “
Thousounds of children are forced into domestic sex slavery each year and that average age
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of entry is 13 years old.
- Demi and Ashton Foundation
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There are two primary factors that drive human trafficking: high profit and low risk.
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- UNODC
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awareness firsT. then action. videos: Ted Talks w/ Jessica Jackley: “Poverty, Money—and Love”
books: Not For Sale, David Batstone A Crime So Monstrous, E. Benjamin Skinner The Road to Lost Innocence, Somaly Mam Half the Sky, Nicholas Kirstof
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Ted Talks w/ Kevin Bales: “How to Combat Modern Slavery” The VJMovement: “Desperate Hill-Tribe Boys Turn to Sex Work” Oprah: “200 Men Who Were Molested Come Forward” “ Nefarious: Merchant of Souls” Benjamin Nolot, (2011)
get involved: volunteer Urban Light is energized by the overwhelming response from passionate individuals who are committed to making noise about Urban Light and our work.
We invite passionate individuals who are intersted in being the change to apply as long-term or shortterm volunteer at the Urban Light Youth Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Be a part of the solution and learn about how you can contribute your talent and ( skills to fighting sex-trafficking and child prostitution stateside and abroad). Email alezandra@urban-light.org.
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host a
dinner on behalf of
urban light
mock invitation Dear [guest], I cordially invite you to a dinner & film screening to raise awareness and take direct action to stop those who take part in the system of trafficking and exploitation of young boys and girls. When: [insert date] Where: [insert location] Why: To learn more about the cruel realities of human trafficking and the lucrative sex industry, and what you can do to help We host on behalf of Urban Light, a grassroots non-profit dedicated to making noise regarding boys who are victims of trafficking and exploitation. Based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Urban Light Youth Center rebuilds, restores & empowers the lives of boys who work in the red light district by providing education + health services + housing & emergency care.
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Join us for this night of awareness and action. Together, we can make a change. Together, we can be the light.
what to order Alezandra’s favorite Thai dishes to order from your favorite Thai restaurant or to make at home:
what to screen “Breaking Chains, Building Communities: Grassroots Solutions to Sex Trafficking” Where to find it: www.theparadigmshift.org/sex_trafficking.html.
#CenterMomFavorites entree: Thai Basil Chicken Panang Chicken or Vegetable Vegetable Spring Rolls Papaya Salad dessert: Mango Sticky Rice drinks: Thai Iced Tea Thai Limeade
#Informative #Inspiring A short documentary by the paradigm shift project about sex trafficking occuring in India, Thailand and Cambodia and what local grassroots organizations are doing to fight about it. Urban Light is also featured along with other inspring NGOs.
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k l a t s u p m a plan a c Invite Urban Light to speak at your campus! , the urban light awareness tour brings the issue of human trafficking and exploitation right to your classroom. The exploitation and trafficking of women, men and children is a global reality. Learn how you can be a social leader by educating yourself and your peers to understand the complex layers of the second largest illicit industry in the world.
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it takes more than one person to start a movement. help us make noise.
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donate Your generous support is critical to the long-term presence of Urban Light within the Chiangmai community. The current services and empowerment tools we offer to the Urban Light boys would not be possible without the commitment of a community that is invested in change. As we compete against the monetary power of sex-tourists let us rise together to say to these men, “Boys are not for sale!�
www.urban-light.org 14