Toiletry Donations Needed - Amilia's Light

The following provided by Amilia's Light. Image Caption: 2017’s Bags of Hope collection with volunteers

Toiletry Donations Needed To Help Victims Of Human Trafficking, Addiction

Amilia’s Light, a non-profit whose mission is to help survivors of human trafficking by rebuilding their lives through education, training, and job opportunities, is leading a local drive to collect toiletries for Bags of Hope, an outreach ministry to let women affected by trafficking, prostitution, addiction and homelessness in the Boston area know that there is a better way, they are treasured and help is available to them.

Donations of the toiletries listed below can be dropped off between now and Sunday, October 28 during normal business hours at the lobby of The United Church of Christ in Medfield, at 496 Main Street, Medfield.

All items for the Bags of Hope collection must be new and full-size. Items needed: socks, deodorant, feminine products, toothpaste, tooth brushes, 12. oz. conditioner, 12. oz shampoo, trail mix, chapstick, nail polish, small packages of wipes, hair brushes and elastics, winter hats, gloves, and scarves.

Bags of Hope, founded by Jasmine Grace Marino, a Boston-area survivor of human trafficking, operates out of the Emmanuel Gospel Center in Boston. According to Jasmine, “Our goal is to bring awareness as well as provide basic needs to these women. What many do not know is that homeless women are not just victims of poor decisions but often times are victims of unforeseen circumstances. Many have been traumatized, victimized and suffer from untreated mental illness and substance abuse. There are resource cards in every Bag of Hope to let them know, there is another way and that they can have hope because, if Jasmine can make it off the streets and find a new life – so can they.”

This local drive by Amilia's Light is part of the “Mission Possible” day of service at The United Church of Christ in Medfield on Saturday, Nov. 3.

Michelle Luhrmann, founder and president, said, “Using the donated toiletries, our team of volunteers will assemble care kits for Bags of Hope starting at 9:00 a.m. It’s a meaningful and educational activity for youth and adults.”

Amilia’s Light’s primary focus is an Empowerment Program in Uganda, with partner organization Daughters of Freedom, where survivors are provided with trauma support, mentoring, education, and job opportunities. Locally, Amilia’s Light raises awareness through community engagement events like this one. They are exploring more opportunities to provide solutions to empower those exploited in Boston/MetroWest. Amilia’s Light is a tax-exempt 501©3.

www.amiliaslight.org is where you can find out more about Amilia’s Light, as well as make a donation.