Event:

Lotus Foundation is hosting a dinner event on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day - January 11th - to benefit survivors of human trafficking.

This catered, sit-down dinner will be held at the historic Peel House in Colorado Springs. Attendees will get to hear from incredible guest speakers, have the option to purchase survivor-made artwork, enter a raffle to win prizes, and network with other local organizations and advocates.

All proceeds from the benefit will aid Lotus Foundation in their support of survivors in our community.

Dinner:

Dinner and dessert are provided by Blue Spruce Catering.

Enjoy your choice of:

Appetizer: Candied Walnut Pear Salad, Smoked Caesar Salad, or Seasonal Fruit Salad

Entree: Lemon Rosemary Baked Chicken or Sliced Roast Beef with Au-Jus or Peppercorn Sauce

Side: Mac and Cheese or Vegetable Medley

Dessert: Cinnamon Apple Cake or Double Chocolate Cake

PLUS a Chocolate Fountain!

Guest Speakers:

#1 - Our first speaker is a survivor of human trafficking that we have known for nearly two years now. When our Executive Director first met her, she was in one of life's valleys. But she had this fire about her that you just couldn't overlook. Since then, Heather has had the absolute honor of being a part of this survivor's journey through ups, downs, and everything in between. Across four different states, through joy and devastation, this survivor has been the epitome of resilience. Ultimately, she has found success, independence, safety, and happiness. Now she has agreed to join this event and share some of her powerful tale with you.

#2 - Colorado’s House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese will be speaking at this event, and we could not be more excited! ML Pugliese is a former two-term Commissioner in Mesa County, a first-generation American, and holds a juris doctorate degree. Since joining the Colorado House of Representatives she is recognized for her remarkable achievements in enhancing government transparency and cultivating bipartisan cooperation. As the single mother of two children, one of her main focuses is in the area of children and family affairs. ML Pugliese represents House District 14 in El Paso county, and as she remains dedicated to her community and constituents, she has agreed to speak to the issue of human trafficking in our community. You won’t want to miss hearing from this inspirational woman!

Organizational Background:

www.LotusFoundationCO.org

Lotus Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We provide confidential advocacy and case management services to survivors of human trafficking.

The most important feature of our organization is that we do not discriminate nor limit who we are able to serve. We assist survivors of all ages, genders, sexualities, religions, races, nationalities, etc. We serve survivors of both sex trafficking and labor trafficking, and regardless of how recently they have beentrafficked. Lotus Foundation proudly exists to serve each and every survivor, equally and without prejudice.

As a brief overview of our services: We provide general emotional support as needed, as well as safety planning. We have some material items a survivor may request, as well. These items can include, but are notlimited to, clothing, food, hygiene items, household goods, or personal care items. We can also aid withtransportation needs via bus tickets, uber rides, hotel stays, and sometimes flights. We also assist withenrollment into Colorado’s Address Confidentiality Program. We can provide court support, assistance with protection orders, and accompaniment for police reports or other uncomfortable appointments. We have built good relationships with other community partners so that we are easily able to refer survivors to resources that we cannot personally offer in-house, such as trauma-informed therapy, legal aid, or residential options. We are willing and able to continue long term case management with survivors who want that, in whatever capacity that may be for each individual.

Additionally, we do outreach events and offer presentations – both generalized and specific to an organization if requested – to community partners and other groups in order to raise awareness and education regarding human trafficking. We feel that education and awareness are the first steps to eventually ending this horrific tragedy, and it is important to us to do our part in prevention as well as after-care.

The ultimate goal of our organization is to see each survivor with whom we work leading a safe, healthy, and independent life.

Event Sponsors:

Platinum Level: Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, The Colorado Health Foundation, Ent Credit Union

Gold Level: Holman

Silver Level - El Pomar Foundation, Western Landscape Supply

Table Sponsors - Jackie's WAR, P31 Home, Mended Hearts, Western Landscape Supply, HER Society,

Prizes by: Scheels , Portland Leather Goods, Dutch Bros., In-N-Out

Hope Blooms Benefit for Survivors