Junior League Of Birmingham Combats Human Trafficking With Billboard Campaign

With the generous support of Lamar Advertising, The Junior League of Birmingham has erected a billboard at 8 Mile and Mound Road to combat human trafficking.

With the slogan “IT HAPPENS HERE. LET’S STOP IT,” the billboard is designed to bring much needed community awareness to the issue of human trafficking in Metro Detroit. The billboard also contains lifesaving information for those that are trafficked, including the website traffickingresourcecenter.org and the human trafficking hotline 1.888.373.888.

The billboard is a part of the League’s community awareness strategy. “The biggest and best way that we can have an impact on this issue within the community is to raise awareness. It is in our backyards and we need to be paying attention, said Emily Todebush, Former Government Affairs Chairwoman, Junior League of Birmingham and current State Public Affairs Chairwoman, Michigan State Council of Junior Leagues. “The best way we can help save some of these victims is by letting people know that it’s a faceless issue and inform the public on the warning signs.”

Lamar Advertising of Detroit generously provided the billboard and space at a deep discount.

“Lamar Advertising is happy to support organizations whose goal is to improve the quality and safety of the communities that we serve,” said Richard Rickert, Vice President and General Manager, Lamar Advertising.

The Junior Leagues of Michigan has focused on the issue of human trafficking for more than six years. “In addition to the billboard campaign, we will continue to bring awareness to this issue by hosting town hall meeting(s) with our state officials and acting as lobbyists to create and strengthen laws to put the traffickers in jail, “ said Julie Gheen, President, Junior League of Birmingham. “The League is thrilled and excited to be fighting on the front lines against human trafficking. This crime is abhorrent to all people, but especially our female membership.”