Got an email today from Stephen, Melanie and Dianna Muldrow, who are three local kids that have put together a benefit concert called Broken Cords, which is intended to highlight and help fight against human trafficking. From their press release (PDF):
Broken Cords, a benefit concert to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern day slavery, will be held on August 29, 2009 at the prestigious Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in downtown Houston’s theater district.
The brainchild of Houston area teenagers Stephen, Melanie and Dianna Muldrow, Broken Cords’ aim is to show that individuals of all ages can help identify and prevent the modern-day enslavement of children, women and men. Inspired by the plight of individuals in their own area, the Muldrow siblings challenged themselves to spend the summer of 2009 making a difference in their community.
“The fact that so few people know about modern-day slavery was one of the main reasons we wanted to put on this concert,” said Stephen Muldrow. “Human trafficking involves individuals just like me, they can be my age, and they can come from backgrounds like mine.”
The Broken Cords benefit concert will feature a world-class ensemble of musicians who have performed in the United States, Europe and Asia in an evening of music and education at Jones Hall. Confirmed performers include internationally acclaimed clarinetist Håkan Rosengren, concert pianists Rick Rowley, Caleb Harris and Andrew Staupe, and violist Luke Fleming, a C.V. Starr Doctoral Fellow at the renowned Juilliard School in New York City, New York.
“We really appreciate the musicians giving their time to this cause, and making the concert a beautiful program that all will want to see,” said Dianna Muldrow. “Human trafficking is a far larger problem than I ever realized and I am so glad to see people wanting and working to end it.”
Proceeds from the evening’s event will be donated to Houston’s Coalition Against Human Trafficking through a non-profit organization. The Coalition actively works to free those in bondage to modern-day slavery primarily through educating the Houston public to the existence and horrors of this tragedy.
“I’m excited about the fact that the Coalition Against Human Trafficking will be able to fund some of their projects that will make the public aware of what human trafficking is and how it is becoming more prevalent right here in our own city,” said Melanie Muldrow.
“Victims that were rescued and have been served by CAHT member organizations over the past several years are now needing extended care and connections to continue their journey of restoration,” said Charlotte Morris, Chair of CAHT Houston.
“It is essential to engage the community in a diversified way so that human trafficking victims can be better identified, rescued and restored. The opportunity to partner with Broken Cords provides CAHT the avenues to reach the community and raise awareness, and it will provide much needed funding for projects and support to help CAHT better serve in the restoration process.”
Two additional organizations, the International Justice Mission and Houston Rescue & Restore Coalition, will also benefit from the concert.
Ticket prices for the Broken Cords concert range from $25.00 to $75.00 for box seating. Special discounts are available for groups. Personal or corporate sponsorships are available in four levels: Liberator, Deliverer, Rescuer and Be a Hero. Concert, sponsorship and ticket information can be found at www.brokencords.com.
According to their email, if you’re a student you can get a second ticket free when you order one. Harris County Commissioners Court will issue a Resolution on August 11, 2009 declaring the day of the concert to be “Human Trafficking Awareness Day” in Harris County. That’s pretty cool. Check them out, and please help if you can. More here.