April 29 event will include film viewing and assembly of victim care kits

(Rochester, N.Y. – April 6, 2015) The Junior League of Rochester (JLR) spring provisional class will host a fundraising event to benefit Rochester human-trafficking victims on Wednesday, April 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Gowen Theatre Room at Wilson Commons, University of Rochester. Members of the JLR provisional class, joined by non-profit Rochester Regional Coalition Against Human Trafficking (RRCAHT), will show an educational anti-human trafficking documentary and attendees will assemble Care Kits for local sex-trafficking victims. 

Human trafficking activity is evident in all parts of New York State, and with Rochester’s proximity to an international border, Rochester is especially impacted by forced prostitution and sex trafficking crimes.¹ Twenty-nine sex trafficking cases involving minors were reported in Monroe County alone in 2014, as reported by the Democrat & Chronicle.² In response to the overwhelming need in the community for education, awareness, and aid for victims, the JLR spring provisional class has organized the event on April 29 as their class project. In addition to the educational activities, the event will include the assembly of Care Kits, which provide basic, yet crucial items to human trafficking victims.

As a member of The New York State Public Affairs Committee of the Junior Leagues of New York (NYSPAC), the JLR has worked tirelessly to help victims of human trafficking in our community. NYSPAC’s advocacy efforts led to the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act (TVPJA), which will be signed into law by Governor Cuomo later this year. The law enhances protections for human-trafficking victims and increases penalties against those who enable and exploit the trafficking industry.

With the help of RRCAHT and local advocates, the JLR spring provisional class is encouraging the community to attend this event to learn more about the human-trafficking epidemic, understand anti-trafficking legislation and help assemble Care Kits for victims. The event is free, but attendees are strongly encouraged to make a donation on the JLR’s Donation eStore to help fund the purchase of the Care Kit items, including clothing garments for females and males, toiletries, school supplies and more.

About the Junior League of Rochester:

The Junior League of Rochester, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Its work in the greater Rochester area centers on empowering women and children, and its focus is “improving the lives of women and children in our community.” The Junior League of Rochester is part of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., which includes nearly 300 Leagues in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and England. For more information about the Junior League of Rochester, visit www.jlroch.org.