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Human Rights Attorney Tracey Cooley as New Executive Director

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  Metro Detroit, Michigan April 21, 2021 – Led by survivors and dedicated to the eradication of human trafficking and exploitation, the Sparrow Freedom Project is proud to welcome Human Rights Attorney Tracey Cooley, as its newest executive director. “Tracey’s mandate is to ensure that the victims and the survivors of human trafficking and exploitation receive the support and resources they require to reclaim their lives,” said Anita Hoepner, Founder and Director of Special Projects, Sparrow Freedom Project. In 2020, the Sparrow Freedom Project fulfilled more than 300 assistance requests and directly assisted 106 exploited and/or trafficked individuals. “We are just getting started. There are thousands of people who need our support,” said Tracey Cooley, Executive Director, Sparrow Freedom Project. “I was drawn to the Sparrow Freedom Project because the organization is led by survivors and supported by allies. This is an extremely important distinction. Only those that have lived ...

SFP Featured in Lyon Today Magazine

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Thank you Lyon Today Magazine for featuring Sparrow Freedom Project in your 4th Quarter issue! Click here to read the article, starting on page 16. Cover photo credit:  Mend on the Move ; Anita is wearing Mend on the Move's beautiful jewelry line, handmade by survivors of abuse and human trafficking.

YA Novel Offers Awareness/Prevention of Sex Trafficking

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I close my eyes and pretend I’m not me anymore. I try not to smell his stale breath on my face or feel what he’s doing to me. It’s over quickly, and this one doesn’t want to stay. He stands, zips his pants, and leaves. He’s the last one of the day. The shift seems harder than usual, and my skin crawls worse with each new man who enters my motel room. I want to leave, to run, but Tommy’s thug is standing guard out in the parking lot. And if he leaves, there’s always someone else. Always. There’s no chance of escape. Ever. A harrowing tale of a high school senior who’s headed for college, but suddenly finds herself the victim of sex trafficking. Based on true-life accounts of survivors, Heather’s story reveals a dark and dangerous world where you can trust no one. Will she survive? Available at Amazon , Barnes and Noble , Goodreads , Kobo , Apple iBooks and Google Play . About the author: Pamela Gossiaux is an award-winning journalist, ...

Bras for a Cause - Free the Girls

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Sparrow Freedom Project will be collecting new/gently-used bras through March 1st, 2019 to help support human trafficking survivors in Africa. Drop-off/collection sites are located at  First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) of South Lyon ,  Venue South Lyon , and  The Lemon Tree . We will be working alongside  Unmasked: Bodies Not Barcodes , an EMU anti-trafficking student organization (led by SFP President, David Manville), and  Pearls of Great Price Coalition .

Paint & Take Garden Stones Charity Event

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On Saturday, January 19th, 2019, despite all the snow and chilly temps, we had a full house at Java House Cafe in South Lyon. Both kids and adults alike had a great time turning stones into beautiful works of art. Proceeds from the event goes towards providing assistance to human trafficking victims/survivors with emergency and basic needs. Tom's Garden Stones, you have our deepest gratitude. Thank you for all the hard work that went into putting this amazing event together. Stay tuned for future Paint & Take Garden Stone events!

Anita Hoepner Awarded The Soaring Phoenix Award

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SFP Founder & Executive Director, Anita Hoepner, was was awarded The Soaring Phoenix Award. The award celebrates the stories of everyday people who have risen from the ashes of major life transitions and has dedicated their lives to helping others. Take a moment and hear some of the powerful stories shared by the Rising Phoenixes and Soaring Phoenixes:  http://risingphoenixawards.org/

2018 Christmas Gift Collection Drive

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Our Christmas Gift Collection Drive was a huge success, thanks to our generous community and friends. We were able to provide gifts for 6 human trafficking survivors and their children, totaling 13 altogether. In addition, several boxes of clothes, toys, beauty products, coloring/activity books, and other miscellaneous items were given as Christmas gifts to survivors and their children through the Court in Ypsilanti. On top of that, 30 Christmas stockings were filled with cookies/chips/candies, activity books, lip gloss, socks/mittens, and jingle bell necklaces for the young girls at Vista Maria (Lost Voices program).  We loved how everyone worked together as a community to help ensure a very merry Christmas for Human Trafficking survivors and their children. We couldn't have done it without the amazing support from our friends at: Community Bible Church South Lyon, First Presbyterian Church South Lyon, Everbrook Academy Novi, Shepherd of the Lakes, FlexTech Brighton, The Le...