The mission of I Rise is to break the cycle of poverty that survivors of human trafficking and other forms of violence/exploitation find themselves in upon exiting that violent situation. We work to help survivors attain financial stability and independence and get back into the workforce in a career that provides them a sense of dignity and worth, a livable wage, and upward mobility.

Come hear about the ways I Rise achieves this and learn how to connect with those programs and resources.

For information on participating in FREE Network Zoom calls, please contact info.freenetwork.us@gmail.com

Interactive Art Installation, Speakers, Local Resources

Sponsored by United Abolitionists and the Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Force.

January 10th—7th Annual Red Sand Project-Osceola 201 E Dakin Ave Kissimmee

January 24th-7th Annual Red Sand Project-Orange & Seminole

10:00am @ 2500 W Colonial Dr Orlando

1:00pm @ 105 W 2nd St. Sanford

United Abolitionists and the Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Force invite you to the 7th Annual Red Sand Project in Osceola County.

The Red Sand Project is a nationwide movement using interactive art to bring awareness to human trafficking and exploitation. By filling sidewalk cracks with red sand, we bring visibility to those who have been overlooked, vulnerable, or left behind.

This event is free, family-friendly, and open to everyone. Local resources and speakers will be present to help educate and empower the community.

Together we can prevent victims from falling through the cracks.

Honoring Courage, Impact, and Innovation

Join United Abolitionists and UCF’s Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery for an inspiring evening recognizing champions in the fight against modern-day slavery.

The Polaris Star Award Gala is an annual event that brings together individuals, organizations, businesses, and activists who are dedicated to combating human trafficking. This prestigious award ceremony, hosted by United Abolitionists, Inc., and UCF’s Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery, honors and recognizes the outstanding efforts and initiatives made in the fight against modern-day slavery and exploitation.

This year’s ceremony will be hosted at the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management located at 9907 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL. on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. The awards will be held in the Darden Auditorium and the reception in the beautiful Rosen College Courtyard and the Disney Dining Room.

Parking, food, and beverages are included in the ticket, including a Bourbon tasting during the reception.

For more information and to purchase your tickets: https://hospitality.ucf.edu/htms/polaris-star-awards/

Rosen College: Darden Auditorium, Room 101 & Virtual

United Abolitionists is honored to co-organize this important international panel alongside the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and UCF’s Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery.

This conversation explores how major sporting, entertainment, and tourism events can strengthen anti-trafficking efforts through coordinated education, policy, funding, technology, and community response.

Panel themes include:

• Data and research

• Law enforcement approaches

• Survivor-informed insights

• AI and technological innovation

• Funding and advocacy

• Sports and human rights

Panelists:

• Dr. Alan Fyall – Moderator

• Alan Wilkett – Law enforcement

• Dr. Jessica Wickey – Education

• Olivia Littleton – Lived experience

• Jodi Domangue – Advocacy and support

• Sarah Mahoney – Funding

• Noel Thomas – AI and technology

• Claudia Villa-Hughes – Sports and human rights

This event elevates global perspectives and strengthens collaborative strategies to address human trafficking at scale.

Attendance is free and open to both in-person and virtual participants.

For more information: https://stophumantrafficking.com/etn/major-events-human-trafficking-panel-2026/

For SAFE Alliance Members.

Join us for the first quarterly SAFE Alliance Lunch + Learn of 2026, designed to support organizational leadership and help our movement operate at its highest potential for the good of those we serve. 

This quarter we have the pleasure of learning from Daniel Mitchell, Assistant Vice President, Entrepreneurship, of the Pasco County Economic Development Council. Daniel will be engaging us in thought about organizational ecosystems - who are your stakeholders and how are you communicating with and serving each group to drive forward your mission? 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

About Daniel:
With over twenty years of experience in entrepreneurship development and as an entrepreneur myself, I currently serve as the Assistant Vice President of Entrepreneurship at Pasco Economic Development Council. In this role, I focus on fostering entrepreneurial success and supporting innovative ventures, leveraging my expertise in finance, investments, and entrepreneurship to enable impactful initiatives for the organization.

My mission is to empower individuals and businesses to achieve their goals by developing tailored strategies that align with their unique needs. As a Certified Financial Planner™ and Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP), I am dedicated to creating sustainable growth opportunities that benefit both individuals and the broader community.

For more information about attending this virtual event, please contact kristen@safeintampabay.com

Join United Abolitionists and UCF’s Center for Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery for this powerful full-day conference focused on education, advocacy, and action. Learn from experts about the role of technology in Human trafficking and solutions for justice and digital safety.

For more information and to register: https://stophumantrafficking.com/etn/18th-annual-human-trafficking-awareness-conference/

UCF's site:: https://hospitality.ucf.edu/htms/

United Abolitionist site: https://stophumantrafficking.com/

Conference Agenda

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Registration + Light Refreshments

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM | Opening Session

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Session 1

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Session 2

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM | Lunch

1:15 PM – 2:15 PM | Session 3

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Session 4

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM | Closing Session + Call to Action

Digital Certificates Provided

Each January in recognition of #HumanTraffickingAwarenessMonth V3 turns our attention toward our LAB Initiative and collaboration with @buddybrewcoffee - Freedom is beautiful and for 6 years, V3 has been bringing what we have to participate in the fight against human trafficking and to care for survivors. 

This year, we are excited to continue that work, leading with beauty, by collaborating with artists @mauriciero and the @colectivosupervivo to release the first annual 'Freedom is Beautiful' art commission. 

Join us at the Lead with Beauty luncheon as we unveil the 2026 Freedom is Beautiful print and meet artist Mauricio Vega. We will have 100 limited edition Freedom is Beautiful prints available for sale, and 100% of the proceeds from those sales will support our LAB Initiative to End Human Trafficking. 

We can’t wait to unveil this piece, recap our 2025 art unveiling, and share some exciting updates as we make the turn into a new year. 

to REGISTER: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1965478655568?aff=oddtdtcreator

#vuvivo #lifeandbeauty #leadingwithbeauty #HTPM #freedomisbeautiful

Learn about the realities of human trafficking and how you can help stop it! And become a sponsor for this event and help survivors. Sex trafficking thrives in silence, but not when brave voices speak out. Hear directly from lived experience experts and leaders on the frontlines who are fighting back against exploitation every day. Their insight, experience, and action will equip you to be part of the solution.

TED: Human Trafficking survivors need immediate, convenient and secure transportation to safe houses, rescue organizations or medical treatment. In nearly all cases human trafficking survivors do not have any identification, making it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to board a commercial flight.

Working with affiliate rescue organizations, Invisible Angels can facilitate transport where survivors need to go on an immediate timeline. Invisible Angels operates between smaller airports allowing greater flexibility with time frames, destinations, and security.

Tomas, with United Abolitionists will share about the launching of the Soft Room at Orlando International. In a groundbreaking effort to combat human trafficking, United Abolitionists (UA), led by founder and president Tomas Lares, has unveiled the world’s first-ever “soft room” located inside a major airport—right at the heart of Orlando International Airport (MCO).

This soft room offers a secure, trauma-informed environment where victims of trafficking can feel safe, supported, and not criminalized. Unlike the standard process of sending victims to police stations or federal holding, the soft room is person-centered and victim-focused, ensuring dignity and care from the moment of rescue.

“Most victims identified at airports are scared, disoriented, and unsure whom to trust. This room offers a safe space where they can meet trained advocates and begin their journey to healing,” says Lares.

For information on participating in FREE Network Zoom calls, please contact info.freenetwork.us@gmail.com

This free community event brings together leaders in law enforcement, victim advocacy, and health care to share tools for identifying, responding to, and preventing human trafficking.

Questions? Contact Karley Wright 513-312-3086

Please click the link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-untold-journey-human-trafficking-awareness-symposium-tickets-1977292637506?aff=oddtdtcreator.

An unforgettable night of truth, hope, and powerful voices!

You’re invited to a special screening event featuring the premiere of the Breaking That Cycle of Human Trafficking episode on the big screen, followed by a LIVE PANEL with Dotti Groover-Skipper, Founder and CEO of Heardance Foundation and with Break That Cycle host Bill Chini, a domestic violence and human trafficking survivor.

The event is presented by Mary and Martha House and Heartdance Foundation, Inc.

Sponsored by THE REGENT and COMPLETE Weddings and Events.

RSVP here: https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/001p0r

This is a free event.

Serving food and light refreshments.

Operation Home for the Holidays was a multi-regional operation involving several federal, state and local agencies that led to the rescue of 122 missing or endangered children from Florida and nine other states. Join us as on December 10th as we welcome Kim Figurero, from More Too Life, and Laura Hamilton and Laura Henderson from Bridging Freedom who were directly involved in the effort. 

According to WTVT: "The children rescued ranged in age from 23 months to 17 years old. Law enforcement officials say many had experienced various levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to other criminal activity."  Click HERE for the news clip. 

For information on participating in FREE Network Zoom calls, please contact info.freenetwork.us@gmail.com

This event will take a deeper look into how the health system and Medicaid can play a crucial role into helping those impacted by trafficking get the help they need to have a successful healing journey. We will have special speakers from around the country such as, Dr. Laura Lederer, Amy Cornelius with Sidewalk Soldiers, AZ Dream Center and Meghan Connors who will provide a survivor perspective. There will be a panel discussion as well.

The event is 9:00a.m. - 2:30p.m. Central Standard Time

The Microsoft TEAMS platform will be used, and a link will be sent 24 hours prior to the event.

Click HERE to reserve a spot

Fundraiser to continue expanding services and programs for victims with focus on education for youth and women empowerment to achieve sustainable economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability in order to create methods to eliminate abuse and human trafficking in our state, city, and around the world.

Click HERE for details

This event is unique- with local bands, true stories, and experts in the field; NOMORE looks to give people a window from which they can see, hear, experience, and understand both the heart of God & the plight of those caught in modern day slavery. “Our goal is to put as many faces to the need as possible, and to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to connect to what is needed and respond to that need with action. We want every person who comes to the event to learn how they can make a difference in the fight against human trafficking,” says Tami Kent, Co-Founder. For that reason, The NOMORE Foundation has partnered with local and international organizations, so that people can make a personal connection and get signed up to serve where their heart compels them. Over the past 10 years, The NOMORE Foundation has worked with churches and organizations all over the country to bring events like this to communities just like yours, and they are excited to see people engage in this important cause. It's all about uncovering the reality of human trafficking and empowering YOU to declare, "NOMORE!"

Click HERE to register

*** This event is for ages 14+ (high school students) & is not recommended for children. We strongly encourage parents to attend with their teens as this is a mature topic that will provoke thoughtful conversation around online safety & awareness. ***

Sip, Savor and Support! Join us for a delightful afternoon of wine tasting and a sumptuous lunch spread, all while giving back to a good cause. Indulge in some of the finest wines and have a chance to win exciting raffle prizes. Come mix and mingle with friends while making a difference, it's the perfect recipe for a fantastic day out. Don't miss out on this 'grapetastic' experience

Click HERE for more information and to Register

Limited seating, so please register early!

A Night of Hope and Healing is a formal dinner gala that will recognize champions in the fight against exploitation and provide opportunities to be part of the solution and prevention of this horrific crime. It will also include a silent and live auction featuring national and luxury brands. The funds raised during the event will ensure the Florida Alliance is able to continue statewide awareness and education efforts along with establishing a grants program to support.

Click HERE for more information.

The Reason for Fashion for Freedom

We are honored to host our 2nd Annual Fashion for Freedom show. Through this event, we plan to raise funds to continue providing the necessary services to survivors of human trafficking. Such as trauma therapy, counseling, medical care, life skills, education, and financial assistance. These services are made possible because of your generous giving.

In addition, we plan to meet once again the critical need for a long-term home in South Florida. Glory House understands the value of a long-term residential home. During the 4 years, we had a home, we observed that providing survivors with a safe place to live and a supportive community was imperative to their healing and restoration. Not worrying about their basic needs, allows survivors to focus on improving other aspects of their lives.

Click HERE for more information

Bringing together the medical community, pharmacies, educators, public health and law enforcement. Featured Speakers & Panel Discussions - Free to attend. Continental Breakfast and Box Lunch provided.

Click HERE for more information.

This presentation will look at a wide variety of real-life cases of sextortion, social media exploitation, CSAM and how some of the cases lead to sex trafficking, sexual assault, missing and runaway victims, murder, and suicide.  While these are hard cases to look at it is critical information in understanding the variations of how predators operate, and how the victim responds.  Most important we will look at what to do and what not to do if a young person is being exploited.  We will examine behavioral indicators that might suggest the need for intervention. 

Click HERE to register

More Too Life is honored to partner with Marie Thérèse Lacroix, a renowned local artist for our 2nd Annual Healing Through Art Event. This year’s focus explores how art can impact the healing of staff who are exposed to secondary trauma as they provide services to children, youth and young adults who have been impacted by human exploitation. Please join us for an exclusive wine tasting and art exhibition to include delectable hors d'oeurvres. A portion of proceeds from any paintings sold will be generously donated to More Too Life, a non- profit dedicated to inspiring change in people and transforming culture for a better world.

Click HERE for more information.

5K run/walk and 1-mile race option available for families, children and walkers, Saturday, March 25th, 2023.

All proceeds from our Stomp Out the Demand 5k Race will go directly to the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking, a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to ending human trafficking. Your participation will benefit our efforts to serve domestic victims, influence public policy, create awareness, and fight the demand for trafficking victims.

Click HERE for more details.

This event Is being  hosted by CareSource Health plan.  CareSource is a Medicaid managed health plan, serving over 2.0 million members across 6 states. The CareSource mission of making a lasting difference in members’ lives by improving their health and well-being was the catalyst for developing several programs that target the social determinants of health.  We are very dedicated to our members receiving the best care, with a trauma informed, person centered approach. 

Knowing that Human Trafficking is a public health crisis in our nation, we take this very seriously. We are interested in knowing, from professionals in the field that are providing the protection, care and treatment to those impacted by trafficking, what you see as health care gaps for this population.  Your voice is important to us.  We hope that you will come and be a part of this discussion. 

NOMORE presents FOR SALE: Uncovering the Reality of Human Trafficking

This powerful event features a time of worship, awareness and education moments with community advocates, creative storytelling highlighting the depth of the struggle and the power of redemption through lived experience experts, and immediate ways to engage in the fight against human trafficking!

*This event is for ages 14+ and is not recommended for children. We strongly encourage parents to attend with their teens as this is a mature topic that will provoke thoughtful conversation around online safety and awareness.

Registration is FREE! Click HERE