The Emancipation Network charities and Proclaim the Name clothing are teaming up to bring the Dreams of Freedom fundraiser to the Southwest for the first time.
On July 12, more than 200 people will come together to raise awareness about human trafficking.
The event will raise funds to fight modern-day slavery through education carried out by T.E.N. Charities.
Dreams of Freedom houses victims of human trafficking in Cape Cod, where its headquarters is located. There, victims go through therapy and create craft art to be sold at events around the United States. Money from those sales goes to funding safe houses and programs to help victims around the world.
Crafts made by human trafficking victims will be sold and a concert will be given by American Idol performer Giovanni Amato at the event. There will also be a silent auction and doorˇprizes.
The event will be hosted at the Q Bar Ultra Lounge in Albuquerque.
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De'Angelo Bethea, owner of Proclaim the Name clothing, became involved with T.E.N. Charities because of his desire to affect change.
"I learned about Dreams of Freedom and wanted to become instantly involved," Bethea said. "I set out to be a person of action and a giving person that doesn't just listen to the bad news but tries to do something about itˇinstead."
Bethea, the main coordinator of the Albuquerque event, is using his resources to help set it up. He said he is determined to create an educated base of citizens that are willing to make a difference.
"The fact is that people are being bought and sold even here in the U.S., and for us as a country to ignore it any longer is a black mark on everyone," he said.
Jennifer Munz, director of events for Dreams of Freedom, said the importance of these fundraising rallies is in the education people receive.
"This is a cause that is almost altogether ignored, and it is because people do not know or choose not to talk about it that we have these events," Munzˇsaid.
Munz became active in the charity by hosting the second Dreams of Freedom event in New York City.
She raised more than $10,000 at the event and became more involved in the group afterward.
Munz said that the majority of the public don't understand the horrific nature of buying and selling people.
"I consider this to be one of the worst crimes against humanity," Munz said. "Children and women are being bought and sold and used for slave labor or sexual acts, even here in the United States, and still there is not a large movement against these crimes," she said.
Munz said human trafficking is a world-wide problem but also a local issue.
"From Cambodia to Uganda to New Mexico, victims need our help, and they need it now," Munz said.
New Mexico's community is making steps in the right direction, said Matthew Ludeman, a manager at the Nob Hill Bar and Grill.
"The Nob Hill Bar and Grill thinks that this is a really important issue," Ludeman said. "It's important that everyone plays their part when it comes to issues like this, and the Nob Hill Bar and Grill was happy to be able to help sponsor this event."
Bethea said he is trying to rally the community for this event.
"I am looking into a way to donate 25 percent of everything that I make into the Dreams of Freedom charity, because it is important to be active in every aspect of my life," Bethea said. "Everyone needs to understand that this is not just an issue for some people - it is an issue that affects everyone, and in the world that we are in now, a little bit from everyone can truly go a long way towards helping a greatˇcause."
