The Closet Project: Help Human Trafficking Victims

February 5, 2013 by

So. I’ve had this idea brewing in my mind for over a month now. Here’s how it started: I was heading to the shower one Sunday morning before church. As I walked by the couch, one of my jackets was lying there. A jacket I never wear- I’m not even sure how it got in the living room. Then I looked guiltily in my overly-stuffed closet. As I was in the shower, I started thinking about who could use the jacket (and all the excess clothes) more than me. 
I felt God asking, “Do you need all those clothes? ALLLL those clothes?” And from there, the Closet Project was born. So what is it?
In a nutshell, it’s a challenge.
A challenge to pare down excess clothing*shoes*purses*etc to step up and help women. I wrote a post last year entitled An Ugly Houston Truth. I had just found out that human trafficking is not just a horrible international problem. It’s an American problem, and more specifically, a HUGE problem in my very own city. And I want to do something to help.
Enter Redeemed Ministries. It’s a local organization that is fighting to help local women who are trapped in this industry. The volunteers locate brothels and identify women trapped in the industry. Law enforcement is called in to rescue the women from this bondage, and Redeemed helps rescued women get a fresh start, helping them find homes, cars, and jobs. Imagine coming out of a lifetime (or even just a few years) of sex slavery. You’d need counseling. Love. Support. Redeemed helps connect these fragile women with the aftercare that they need.

So I decided to make a few goals for myself and my readers. (that’s you!)

—>Goal 1: Raise $500 through selling unused clothing for Redeemed.

—> Goal 2: Donate 100+ pieces of unused clothing to places that help care for sex trafficking victims, or other people who need care.



Redeemed Ministries’ focus is to meet the needs of victims of commercial sexual exploitation in the greater Houston area.

So how do you get involved?
—> Go into your closet and pull out what you don’t wear. {Good rule of thumb: If you haven’t worn in it in a year, you probably won’t.}
—> Sell your clothes! You can do this at consignment shops, resale shops such as Plato’s closet, at a garage sell, on Craig’s list, on eBay-you could even sell them on FaceBook. I’m going to do a sale on my blog in a few days of some of the items I’m paring down.
—> If you can’t find a way to sell your clothes (I was told at Plato’s Closet my clothes were too mature. I get it, I’m old!) donate them. If you’re local to the Houston area, a great place to donate is Resale With a Purpose in Tomball. When clothes are donated in Redeemed’s name, the ladies in their care are allowed to go in and pick out clothes. Of particular need is business attire. (If you know me personally, I will be making a trip to donate in March. If you can get your clothes to me, I’ll take them!)
—> Go directly to Redeemed Ministry’s website to donate. Then, please come back to this form and let me know how much money you donated and/or how many items of clothing you donated.
—> If you’d like, take before and after pictures of your closet. I will definitely be doing this. Mine needs some serious help! On March 12, the day The Closet Project ends, I’ll be doing a link up. If you have a blog and want to write a post about your participation, I would love that! 
—> Please, please share this project! Its success depends on how many people are committed to participating and sharing. You can share on Facebook, your blog, etc. On Twitter, you can share this tweet if you like:

Team up with @eatprayreadlove to help modern-day slaves and pare down your closet too. #TheClosetProject http://www.eatprayreadlove.com/2013/02/the-closet-project-help-human.html
I am so excited to see where God takes this. He is “is goodD)’> on all he has made” (Psalm 145:2) and I believe he has a special place in his heart for these victims. I am praying to have his heart.

If you suspect human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888.  As always, if you see someone in imminent danger, call 911.

Linking up: Fancy Lil Things
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Filed Under: #theclosetproject, human trafficking, ministry, The Closet Project, women's issues
About Kelli Hays

Kelli Hays is a wife, mother, writer, and friend. She has been blogging since 2008 and loves sharing inspiration for the everyday woman!

Comments

  1. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    February 7, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    Hi Kelli 🙂 this is a cool idea. I hope you are able to get more people in your area to contribute. I’ve shared the link on twitter. Have a good week lady! xo

  2. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    February 7, 2013 at 9:13 pm

    Thank you Kristin! I am praying for God to do big things through this! xoxo

  3. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    February 11, 2013 at 9:32 pm

    I love this! It’s a practical way everyone can help with the horrible reality of human trafficking!

  4. kelli@eatprayreadlove. says
    February 12, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    Mary thank you. Please let me know if you’re able to be involved!

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