Art program to Fight Human Trafficking of Young American Girls.

Sanibel-Captiva Islander, November 5, 2010

Human Traffickers target American girls between the ages of 11 to 15 more than any other group. In an effort to educate girls in this age group, Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships has organized a number of ARTREACH programs and has just concluded its second painting project.

A group of students from around Lee County worked at the Bethany Lutheran Church in North Ft. Myers to create 4 canvas wall hangings measuring 3 ft x 4 ft which depict the dangers of human trafficking to young American girls. These students ranged in age from 10 to 18 and a group of their mothers who are students at Hodges University volunteered and produced one painting of their own.

Contributions of food, supplies and transportation along with grants from the Zonta Clubs of Fort Myers and Bonita Springs made this program possible. Richard Johnson of Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel provided the celebratory last dinner on October 28. Other food donations came from Bob Evans, Olive Garden, Jalapeno’s and Bethany Lutheran Church. The paintings will be reproduced on notecards and will be made available for sale. Additional ARTREACH programs are planned in the future as funding allows. If you would like to support these projects or to organize an awareness event or exhibition of the ARTREACH paintings, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and check out the ARTREACH website at www.htapartreach.org.