April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and this Thursday, April 3rd,  Sojourns, a fair trade store located in downtown Birmingham, is hosting a fundraising event for the Rape Response program of the Crisis Center. This event is a fashion show highlighting fair trade clothing and jewelry at the new Continental Bakery located downtown. All proceeds from admission and 10% of sales from shopping go to Rape Response.

What exactly is fair trade? According to Sojourns’ website,  “fair trade is based on economic and social justice. The key goals of fair trade are to empower low-income, disadvantaged artisans, laborers and farmers around the globe, and to promote understanding between them and industrialized nations.Fair trade advocates for a fair and living wage to artists, artisans and producers and provides revenue to promote social and economic development for communities.”

As Sojourns’ philosophy notes, “The understanding that we hold in our hands the power to change a life, a mind, or a circumstance today – right now – is a powerful insight and motivator.” I hope you will join me in supporting this effort. Sexual violence is more prevalent than any one wants to believe, and that is way this event is so important. We must continue provide quality services to survivors and their loved ones, as well as work to bring this violence to an end.

Space is limited, so please try to purchase your tickets in advance by clicking HERE. VIP ticket holders can call Sojourns (323-5690) and request a reserved table (just provide the names of the other ticket holders who will be sitting with you. If you can’t make the show, the sales will continue at Sojourns’ this Friday and Saturday.

Continental Bakery Downtown is located at 19th Street North and 4th Avenue North.  Sojourns is located at 2017 3rd Avenue North.