The Global Center for Women and Justice at Vanguard University will host the annual Priceless Luncheon to End Human Trafficking fundraiser on September 17, 2016 at 11:30 a.m., at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach. The event, chaired by Jasmine Shodja, vice president of Wells Fargo, will raise money to fund human trafficking initiatives in Orange County, where over 350 victims of trafficking have been identified since 2004.
The annual luncheon will feature keynote speaker Ernie Allen, founder and former chairman and CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Mr. Allen is considered a world leader in the fight against child abduction, sexual exploitation, sexual violence and human trafficking. He created the national 24-hour missing children hotline, and established the national CyberTipline for reporting child sexual exploitation.
“With the diverse training and educating of legislators, law enforcement, and key international faith organizations that the Global Center spearheads, Ernie Allen was the perfect fit for keynote speaker at this year’s Priceless Luncheon,” said Dr. Sandra Morgan, director of the Global Center for Women and Justice. “He has brought global attention to human trafficking, and continues to be one of the most influential people on the subject.”
The Priceless Luncheon raised over $236,000 in sponsorship and donations in 2015. Attendance is expected to number more than 300 guests this year.
The annual Diamond Awards will also be announced at this year’s luncheon, recognizing individuals, businesses or organizations as well as the Directors’ Young Leader Award for their tireless commitment to promoting justice for women and children affected by human trafficking.
For 14 years, Vanguard University’s Global Center for Women and Justice has provided training and resources to enable leaders to promote justice for victims of human trafficking and modern day slavery. A faith-based organization, the GCWJ carries out its mission through education, research, advocacy and collaboration with students, educators, law enforcement, healthcare and community leaders.
With over 45.8 million people living in slavery today, the GCWJ works diligently in their efforts to end human trafficking and the cyber-exploitation of women and children in Orange County and worldwide.
Tickets to attend the luncheon start at $175. Sponsorships are available. The newly launched Trafficking Survivor Scholarship will be added to the sponsorship opportunities this year, which will assist in college level education for individual students.
For tickets and more information, visit vanguard.edu/gcwj.
