Our friends at MISSEY have sent over this press release:

Every day some of the Bay Area’s most vulnerable youth are trafficked, raped and bought and sold on the streets of our cities. These youth are often criminalized as prostitutes—regardless of the fact that their average age of entry into exploitation is 11 to 13—rather than being recognized as victims of domestic human trafficking.

This week, you can stand up and make a difference!

On the 20th, 21st and 22nd of April 2011, a broad network of direct service providers who serve sexually exploited minors (SEM) in conjunction with the County of Alameda and the City of Oakland will be holding three, powerful awareness raising events that we hope you all will join.

Today, April 20th, 2011: Awareness March and Rally
When: 11:00AM to 3:00PM
Where: Starts at Agnes Memorial Church (24th and International) parking lot and ends at San Antonio Park

Come join MISSSEY and many of our partners in the SEM Network at the CSEC Awareness March and Rally, Wednesday 20, from 11:00AM to 3:00PM! This exciting event will connect you with other passionate community members who share MISSSEY's core vision and values.

The MARCH will start at 11:00AM at Agnes Memorial Church (24th and International) parking lot and will end at San Antonio Park.  
 
The RALLY will meet at San Antonio Park, at 12:30PM and will go on until 3:00PM.

Thursday, April 21st, 2011: Survivor’s Art Auction and Book Signing by Nationally Recognized SEM Advocate Rachel Lloyd
When: 5:00PM to 11:00PM
Where: Z’s Café in Oakland
 
Art Viewing and Auctions of Original Artwork by Survivors: 
 
Here's your chance to view and buy the original artwork of survivors! MISSSEY has recently partnered with local artists to offer art days to our clients on an on-going basis. The fruit of this effort are the amazing pieces of art that will be available at this event! The proceeds of any purchase will be split 50/50 between the artists/survivors and MISSSEY. This is a great way to support CSEC directly, contribute to MISSSEY and enjoy creative expression! Art viewing and auctioning will be taking place all night long. 

Book Reading and Signing By GEMS Founder Rachel Lloyd:

From 8:00PM to 8:45PM 

GEMS founder and executive director Rachel Lloyd will be doing a reading and book signing of her new book "Girls Like Us," a first-hand account of the abuse and suffering of commercial sexual exploitation, her recovery, and remarkable transformation. Don't miss this opportunity to listen to one of the strongest, most passionate voices in the movement to empower and protect commercially sexually exploited youth today!
 
Friday, April 22nd, 2011: Book Reading and Signing By GEMS Founder Rachel Lloyd and Oakland Reverend-Activist Harry Williams

When: 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Where: World Ground Café, 3726 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland

Friday, April 22nd from 6:00PM-8:00PM MISSSEY will be hosting a book signing by two brilliant and powerful advocates of sexually exploited minors: GEMS Executive Director Rachel Lloyd and Oakland-based Reverend Harry Williams. Ms. Lloyd will be reading passages from her new groundbreaking book Girls Like Us, which recounts her phenomenal story of escaping the abusive grasp of a pimp and transforming her life to become one of the most active and well known SEM advocates in the US. Reverend Williams will be reading passages from his riveting new urban fiction novel Trapped on the Track, which portrays the epidemic of domestic minor sex trafficking that is plaguing the streets of many Oakland communities. The event will be held at World Ground Cafe at 3726 MacArthur Blvd. in Oakland. We look very forward to seeing you!