What a JOY and HONOR to partner with Her Future Coalition in their commitment to care for the next generation of girls in Kolkata. | September-October, 2022 – India

$5,004 Donated!

You can still give, if you’d like. More support for our sisters in India is greatly needed.

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Her Future Coalition was founded and is led by our trusted friend, Sarah Symons. Since 2005 Her Future has been creating powerful and positive change in the lives of survivors of gender violence and girls at the highest risk. They break the cycle of poverty and exploitation, by providing education – and a full range of services that support education – to survivors and the most vulnerable girls in India and Nepal.

Explore more about this comprehensive program here: HFC Middle School Project.

WHY this is so IMPACTFUL & IMPORTANT …

I am passionate about giving survivors – and girls at the highest risk for gender based violence – the tools they need to rebuild their lives and create their own bright futures. It is out of this passion that Her Future Coalition (HFC) was born. Through HFC, we provide shelter, education, employment, therapeutic arts, and counseling in an environment of dignity and LOVE, and it works! It is my greatest joy to see girls go from a place of such hopelessness and despair (immediately following rescue) to a place of independence, joy and giving back. -Sarah Symons, HFC founder

Sarah Symons shared with me that what drove her to start Her Future Coalition (and what she cannot bear) is this:
… Elementary-aged children who cannot attend school, but spend much of each night hiding from predators in red light areas
… Little girls living on the streets, always sleeping face down and covering their heads with blankets, so passersby won’t know they are girls and sexually assault them
… 13 year-old girls forced to service 15 or 20 men each night in a brothel
… Girls so deeply in their trauma, they can’t feel their own arms or legs
… Survivors who don’t know how, or don’t dare to express what they want to do in any given moment, simple choices like what to wear or what to eat, and more important decisions, like whether they want to go back to school or do vocational training. They veer wildly between passivity and rage. They trust no one because everyone in their life who was supposed to love and protect them has let them down.

Fifteen years ago, we launched Her Future because I – and my husband a few committed friends – decided to do something about situations like these. Together we fight the continuous violence and dehumanization against the most vulnerable girls in the world, and get the see the future transformed for thousands. -Sarah Symons, HFC founder

CREATIVE ways to support this organization …

1 – DONATE HERE. A few creative ideas for GIVING: ASK FOR A DONATION to be made as a gift for your next birthday … GIVE a gift in honor of someone you love for an upcoming holiday or celebration.
3 – CONNECT WITH, follow, and friend Her Future Coalition:
Website | Facebook & Insta
4 – SHARE! Send this link to 5 PEOPLE passionate about human trafficking, making a difference, education, our global community, and/or human rights. Let’s see how we can EXPAND this organization’s community connections!
5 – LEARN MORE with these resources suggested by Sarah Symons: Movie: “The Day my God Died” | Book: “Sold” by Patricia McCormick or “Sex Slaves” by Louise Brown
6 – WATCH

HEAD TO Kolkata, India, as you watch this 1-minute clip, which gives you a glimpse of the classroom of THIRTY GIRLS for whom we are raising funds this month for ONE YEAR of education

My conversation with Sarah Symons about why it matters so very much to her to create freedom and bright futures for survivors of human trafficking in India.

My conversation with Soma Seal, director of HFC in India, who joins us from her home outside of Calcutta, India.

“It Takes a Girl”, about HFC’s work around the world bringing freedom and a fresh start to survivors of human trafficking.

“Living Heroically”, Sarah Symons’ Ted Talk.

WHY this MATTERS …

What we LOVE about this is that we have the opportunity to personally connect with the community for whom we’re raising funds. What an honor and privilege!

Let’s CARE, together, for a community in India, who are in need of education and a bright future.

Let’s EXTEND, together, hospitality of spirit and tangibly care for the needs of our little sisters.

Let’s BRIDGE, together, whatever clamors to separate and isolate us with tangible acts and words of love.

JOIN the Seeds Giving Fund and BE an EVERYDAY PHILANTHROPIST …

THE MISSION of Seeds of Exchange is to create good in the world through inspiring people to make a local and global difference—together.

… ARE YOU OVERWHELMED with the state of the world or wondering how to help?

… DO YOU WANT TO GIVE to organizations making a difference locally and globally, but you forget or run out of time to make it happen?

WE LOVE TO MAKE GIVING EASY. We vet small non-profits that are passionately committed to solve problems and care for those in their community.

JOIN the SEEDS GIVING FUND. IT’S SIMPLE TO SET IT UP ONCE and your donation will be automatically directed towards our fundraisers throughout the year. Know that you are helping people each and every month. Consider stretching and giving as much as you can. If that’s $10 (=2 lattes a month!), that is plenty! *All donations are tax deductible.*

As part of our call to all to be an everyday philanthropist, we regularly spotlight a project or program in the world. Our partner’s focus is in at least one of these five categories: human rights, education, health, community emergencies, and art-activism. We are blessed with a huge pool of changemakers in our community – so there is never a lack of trusted organizations with whom to partner.

This sort of “everyday philanthropy” is about an unrestrained generosity rooted in the reality of your everyday life. Generosity feels good. It is part of your purpose on the planet. It finds ways to share with others the treasure trove of whatever you have and whatever you love. It makes a difference with your small and large acts alike … living with a commitment and connection to your sisters and brothers near and far. Explore and discover your unique – right here and now – calling to be an everyday philanthropist today.

I get it: These stories and the very invitation to give and to BE philanthropists isn’t always comfortable. Or easy. Sometimes it’s the world’s pain pricking our hearts that wakes us up to see – and say yes! – to our destiny.

So, today and together, let’s dispute the suggestion that philanthropy is an exclusive club only for those deemed wealthy. Today and together, let’s dispute that the only thing that matters and makes a difference is giving in “big” ways. The movement that will be unleashed when we live as generously unrestrained philanthropists WILL light up the world.

You are loved.
We belong to each other.
Let’s standTALL together and light up the world!

xo, -Sarah Davison-Tracy, Seeds of Exchange