About us · Retired program
The New England GIFT Box
After an impactful series of programs across the region, the New England GIFT Box has been retired from service. We are deeply grateful to have facilitated more than a dozen community campaigns that engaged thousands of people.
A walk-in public art piece
2015 – 2021
A decade of awareness
The chapter closes, the mission continues
In the decade since the New England GIFT Box first debuted, awareness of human trafficking has grown. Regional task forces have strengthened collaboration, and prevention training and organizational policies have expanded throughout New England. While much work remains, communities today are better equipped to recognize exploitation and respond together.
Initially launched at the 2012 Olympics in London by STOP THE TRAFFIK and the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), the GIFT Box supported large-scale awareness, introducing people to the issue and inspiring communities to act toward a traffic-free world.
Today, The Freedom Café advances this work through community education, industry-specific trainings, leadership development, ethical consumer education and advocacy events. We are proud to share the history of each campaign below, and hope these stories inspire fresh ideas, new partnerships and new approaches to prevention.
Campaign history
Every stop on the journey
September 18, 2021
Sandwich, NH
Of 26 guests who filled out evaluations, 22 said they learned significantly more about human trafficking and 20 said they plan to take further action and are more likely to support Fair Trade products.
Host: Sandwich Community Church
October 12–13, 2018
Laconia Pumpkin Festival
Despite rain during parts of Pumpkin Fest, our GIFT Box team shared resources with over 125 people and had important conversations with 71 guests during the two-day event.
Host: NH Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force. Sponsors: Plymouth State University, Love146 New Hampshire Volunteer Team, AutoServ of Laconia, Donna Gaudet Hosmer, NECAT, Turning Point Christian Fellowship, Navigating Recovery of Lakes Region, UNH and Laconia Police Departments.
November 17–19, 2016
3S Artspace, Portsmouth
Host: The Freedom Café
August 4–6, 2016
Soulfest
Host: LifeChurch!
“An ESL teacher from Philadelphia visited the GIFT Box and shared that she has experienced a number of situations that may be connected to human trafficking and did not know what it was or what to do. Because of the GIFT Box she is connecting with a local organization to host a training on human trafficking for the teachers in her school. This training could prevent children who are otherwise vulnerable from being trafficked.”
Sharissa, GIFT Box volunteer
May 27–30, 2016
Cape Cod
November 20–22, 2015
Portsmouth, NH
In the news: ‘Gift Box’ art display unwraps secrets of human trafficking
May 4–14, 2015
Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA
“Human trafficking is a worldwide crisis that is happening here in our backyard. This practice is illegal and exploitative, and it often goes undetected. The GIFT Box is a unique way to raise awareness about sex trafficking, and how we can work together to end this demeaning crime.”
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh
April 24–29, 2015
Boston College
“It’s important to know that human trafficking is not a ‘far away issue,’ but something that happens here in the United States and even Boston as well.”
Alyssa Giammarella, R.E.A.C.T. President
April 19–23, 2015
University of New Hampshire
April 13–17, 2015
UMass Lowell
“No little girl grows up wanting to be involved in a life of sexual exploitation. They do not dream about a career selling their bodies as commodities. The victims of these egregious crimes have not chosen this path for themselves. Traffickers prey on vulnerable people who often have no other options.”
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey
In partnership with
Our GIFT Box partners
STOP THE TRAFFIK
UN.GIFT