Beauty for Freedom
Beauty for Freedom is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds to fight human trafficking. Some of its main programs include art therapy and photography for victims of trafficking.
 | |
| Formation | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Monica Watkins, Jerry Chu |
| Founded at | New York City |
| Website | beautyforfreedom |
History
Beauty for Freedom was founded in 2014 by Monica Watkins and Jerry Chu.[1] Watkins founded the organization after seeing the amount of human trafficking that took place in Haiti after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[2] It was initially founded to raise awareness and funds for other non-profits involved in human trafficking rescue, but later expanded into its own programs involving art and photography.[1]
The organization is made up of people from various industries including fashion, art, and entertainment.[3] In 2015, it launched a creative arts program which sends artists to areas with youth affected by trafficking to conduct therapy art. The art has been used in collaborations with photographer Erica Simone.[3] A total of 15 artists took part in the program which was in partnership with Challenging Heights, with a final exhibit of the art being displayed in New York City.[4]
In addition to Challenging Heights, Beauty for Freedom has partnered with other organizations such as Parsons the New School of Design and Prinkshop.[5]
References
- Medrano, Kastalia (19 June 2017). "This Anti-Trafficking Group Uses Art and Fashion to Take Down Child Slavery". Vice.
- "Beauty for Freedom Promotes Female Empowerment, Looks to Stop Trafficking". October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- Twersky, Carolyn (1 February 2018). "Artists Gather in the Fight Against Labor Trafficking". The Cut.
- Barr, Sabrina (30 January 2018). "Anti-trafficking organisation presents art exhibition to empower young survivors". The Independent.
- Jaccarino, Alexa (11 September 2015). "Parsons, Beauty for Freedom & Prinkshop Team Up in the Fight to End Sex Trafficking". New York Observer.