At a vision party in 2020, Set FREE founder Hallie Albin was asked about child sex trafficking in the Central Virginia area. Certainly, the quaint area at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains couldn’t be home to such a horrific crime. To demonstrate the magnitude of the issue in Central Virginia, Hallie set a timer and did a quick online search to see how long it would take her to find a child being trafficked and sold for sex in Lynchburg, Virginia. It took her only 1 minute and 40 seconds.

However, the issue extends beyond our own little hamlet. Between 100,000 and 300,00 kids in the United States are trafficked each year. And while we see multiple rescues of these victims on the news, as Hallie says, there isn’t true rescue without restoration. Unfortunately, the United States has less than 250 beds total for the victims of these sex trafficking crimes. Resources are lacking and statistics show that 80% of kids who don’t receive restorative help after being rescued will be trafficked again in the future.

Hallie and her husband Phil established Set FREE in 2020 to help fill this need and provide resources, rehabilitation, and hope for the victims of child sex trafficking. Eventually, Set FREE hopes to have a full-service facility built within a 30-mile radius of Lynchburg, Virginia. This facility will be open to serve girls age 11-17 who are survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking. The residential facility will house 48 beds (the same number as its sister program) and will provide counseling with licensed therapists, an equine facility licensed to provide equine therapy through Colors of Hope (a faith-based equine therapy program created by survivors of sex trafficking), home-school options through Liberty University Online Academy, and a holistic approach to restoration.

 

While they are in the beginning stages of fundraising and laying the groundwork for this vital program, they are already receiving calls for help from people all over the country. The need for a program like this is absolutely crucial in fighting the war on child sex trafficking here in the United States. And we here at Amative Creative are so excited to be a partner in helping this program.

On April 19, 2021, we are hosting an editorial photoshoot with the proceeds going to Set FREE. The shoot will take place at Glencliff Manor in Rustburg, Virginia, and event details can be found on our Eventbrite page. Our Bridgerton meets Cottage Core meets Garden Tea Party theme is perfect for this time of year and we can’t wait to see the gorgeous images that come from this special day.

 

If you’re not a photographer and wondering what you can do to help Set FREE, consider these options.

1. You can give a one-time donation.
2. Become a Freedom Fighter and give a monthly donation.
3. Host a Vision Party where Hallie can share the vision of Set FREE with you and your friends.
4. Sign up for the Set FREE newsletter to stay connected with the organization.

If you’re one of our brides and you have room on your registry, consider registering for a charitable donation from your wedding guests to go to Set FREE.

Set FREE is exempt from federal taxes under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Photos courtesy of Set FREE website.