DC Stop Modern Slavery still holding "UNBOUND" event despite government shutdown

WASHINGTON, Oct 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While the government shutdown has closed the doors to many government agencies, it is not stopping DC Stop Modern Slavery (DC SMS) from holding the 4th annual Stop Modern Slavery Walk now known as UNBOUND: A Walk Uniting the Movement to End Human Trafficking. The event, which can no longer be held on the National Mall due to the shutdown, will now be hosted by President Lincoln's Cottage on on Saturday October 5, 2013 at 10 a.m .

President Lincoln's Cottage is a National Monument and site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately owned and operated non-profit organization. Because it is privately funded, President Lincoln's Cottage will be operating despite the shutdown. The National Trust for Historic Preservation stewards President Lincoln's Cottage for the public benefit on behalf of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. President Lincoln's Cottage is the only National Monument in the country that receives no federal operating support.  Because it is privately funded, President Lincoln's Cottage is able to continue operations during the federal government shut down.  The Armed Forces Retirement Home is not affiliated with this event.

Even with the venue change, UNBOUND's event will include the same lineup of speakers, musicians, and bands including Martina Vandenberg, founder and president of The Human Trafficking pro-bono Legal Center, as the keynote speaker.  Another guest is SoulCry Foundation, a dance troupe whose performances tell the stories of trafficked survivors. Additionally, UNBOUND will feature a resource fair with more than 25 exhibitors where people can learn more about this issue and how they can get involved in the anti-trafficking movement..

UNBOUND aims to unite the anti-trafficking movement while raising critical awareness and funds for anti-trafficking programs. UNBOUND hopes to build upon the success of last year's event, which raised nearly $100,000 for 15 anti-slavery organizations and brought out more than 2,000 supporters.  Since we began this tradition in 2009, DC SMS has helped raise more than$325,000 for the cause and registered over 6,500 attendees.

All financial proceeds of UNBOUND will be used by 10 anti-trafficking organizations that provide direct services for survivors of slavery, including rescue, rehabilitation, shelter, aftercare, as well as organizations that spread awareness and provide training. This year's beneficiary lineup includes:

Innocents at Risk, Polaris Project, Safe House of Hope, Global Centurion, Restoration Ministries, Shared Hope International, Courtney's House, Bridge to Freedom Foundation, Women at Risk, and Seraphim Global.

UNBOUND is organized by DC SMS volunteers. DC SMS began in 2004 as a small group of concerned citizens and has grown into an action-oriented group of volunteers with more than 1,400 members devoted to ending modern-day slavery. For more information on the event, or to register/donate please visit www.unbounddc.org.

SOURCE DC Stop Modern Slavery