Orlando-Based Children’s Clothing Company to Launch Crowdfunding Effort Designed to Help Victims of Human Trafficking

ORLANDO – Treasure Box Kids, a children’s clothing company, will begin a month-long crowdfunding effort on Jan. 11 – Human Trafficking Awareness Day – to raise contributions for the launch of a new product line, which will aid in the prevention and rehabilitation of human trafficking victims in Kenya, East Africa.

Carolyn Bailey, president, said Treasure Box Kids hopes to raise $20,000 through its Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign during January which is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

The funds raised will enable the manufacturing of a special new line of children’s clothing called “Little Maisha,” which will provide employment opportunities to rehabilitating victims of human trafficking, and to women in need of jobs to provide their children with an education. Education is a key component to preventing human trafficking and HIV/Aids in Kenya.

“Human trafficking is a worldwide epidemic and, sadly, the government in many countries, including Kenya, does little or nothing to address this problem,” said Bailey.

The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 20.9 million victims of human trafficking globally, with the Kenyan government consistently ranking toward the bottom half of the U.S. Department of State’s three-tier human trafficking compliance list, thus making the African country a severe source, transit, and destination for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking.

“My company aims to do its part to both raise awareness and help combat this issue. We have teamed up with the right organizations to help bring fair wages and good working conditions to Kenya, an effort designed to help prevent and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking in that part of the world. We just need the support of the crowdfunding community to help get things started,” Bailey explained.

Treasure Box Kids has already partnered with Fashion Hope and the Tembo Trading Education Project to assist in the planning and implementation of this effort.

Fashion Hope acts as a bridge between designers and apparel manufacturers to employ trafficking victims and other women wanting to provide a better life for their children. The non-profit’s goal is to raise awareness about human trafficking and HIV/AIDS, and help rehabilitate victims so they can obtain sustainable employment.

The Tembo Trading Education Project (TTEP) provides educational services for underprivileged children. After ten years of working in Kenyan communities, they have learned that without economic development and or education women can become prey to human traffickers or can become sex workers. TTEP has partnered with a local manufacturer to employ Kenyan women in need. Their goal is to relocate women in need of employment or those who’ve been victims, to the local manufacturer for employment and long term economic development.

“Fashion Hope is excited to partner with Treasure Box Kids, who looks to not only build their brand, but empower women and change lives through our sustainable employment projects in Nairobi, Kenya,” said Marc Palmer, founder of Fashion Hope. “Fashion Hope believes that empowerment goes a long way to sustainable living.”

Treasure Box Kids is a client company of the University of Central Florida (UCF) Business Incubation Program.

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For more information about this release, please contact:

Carolyn Bailey, President/CEO, Treasure Box Kids, 407-408-6188; carolyn@treasureboxkids.com

Michael Weiss, Site Manager, UCF Business Incubation Program-Orlando, 321-281-8384; michael.weiss@ucf.edu

Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-461-3781 or 407-644-4142 or Lvershelco@aol.com.

About Treasure Box Kids:

Treasure Box Kids is an online retailer of children’s clothing from newborn to size seven. The product mix consists of unique American-made independent designs as well as imported, designer and embellished children’s clothing. Founded in 2006, in Davenport Fla. by Carolyn Bailey, Treasure Box Kids is a S Corporation located in Orlando. Visit www.treasureboxkids.com.

About the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program:

The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high growth / impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has helped hundreds of local startup companies reach their potential faster by providing vital business development resources.

With seven facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties, and the cities of Apopka, Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Springs.  Participating companies sustain more than 3,600 local jobs and have had a total impact of $1.51 Billion on regional sales and $2.48 Billion on regional economic output.  During the last fiscal year, the program has returned $7.95 for every $1.00 invested in the program. Visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.