Posted in
Social Justice by Matt Snyder on 11/15/2010
And I'm not just saying that.
I was incredibly blessed to be able to attend the premier of Whitestone Motion Pictures' film The Candy Shop. This 30-minute film is about the commercial sexual exploitation of children, specifically in Atlanta. It runs under the guise of a fairytale, sort of a "Willy Wonka meets the Mafia," as Brandon McCormick, founder of Whitestone and executive producer of The Candy Shop, put it.
Whitestone partnered with
Street Grace, a ministry dedicated to eradicating
human trafficking inside of Atlanta (and ultimately throughout the world). The best part is that Brandon announced last night that 100% of the profits from
The Candy Shop are going directly to Street Grace.
Folks, that's going to be a ton of money.
Yet, the most inspiring part of the night wasn't just the film, nor was it just the speakers. It wasn't even the fact that we were in the Fox Theatre, which was incredible. The most inspiring part of that night was that there are 4,500 less ignorant people walking the streets.
See, one of the biggest realities I've faced since becoming passionate about abolishing human trafficking is that, well, people are ignorant. So many people don't realize the size of this problem. Here are some quick facts:
- Over 500 under-aged girls are trafficked for commercial sex acts in Atlanta every month.
- 28,000 men purchase sex in Atlanta every month.
- 18,000 of those men are regulars.
Those are just a few facts. Just a few.
What I like is that there are 4,500 people now - every single person with some kind of influence - who has ammunition. They've caught the vision. And they've caught the vision in one of the biggest cities in the world for the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
I want to encourage you to get involved. Check out the "
Stop the Candy Shop" website and view the film when it comes out in December. Exercise influence where you have influence and be an advocate.
It's as easy as opening your mouth.
Matt currently lives in Gainesville, GA and is traveling overseas in January 2011 to combat the issue of human trafficking with the World Race and Adventures In Missions. You can follow his journey here.
Recently, a friend of mine inquired as to my opinion on Nicholas Kristof's book 
The day this picture was taken I was visiting the village where my
friends had been doing ministry this month in the Philippines. As
Charlotte went to tend to the children during the group's church
service, Sara was passed to me and I had the privilege of holding Sara
the rest of the night. We sang songs and she loved to be hugged and
cuddled. She just wanted to be held close. She craved affection and
touch. Soon, I would learn why.