Five things you can do to help END SLAVERY
On Wednesday, I attended a hearing at City Hall where citizens passionate about ending human trafficking in Chicago told the city council what they should do to help join the fight. If you want a recap I live Tweeted from City Hall so you can check out https://twitter.com/overflowcoffee and scroll down to Wednesday, June 10 at 10am.
I thought you might like to know a few things YOU can do. I'm listing 5 because there's a 5k coming up (see #1). Pick at least 1 and try it out.
I thought you might like to know a few things YOU can do. I'm listing 5 because there's a 5k coming up (see #1). Pick at least 1 and try it out.
1. Walk/Jog/Run with Team Overflow in the Traffick Free 5k Run Against Traffick on September 7. Ask your barista for the details on how to sign up with our team.
2. Purchase slave-free products (like many of Overflow’s offerings). Check out your favorite brands at www.free2work.org and see how they measure up.
3. Donate to Traffick Free (traffickfree.org) or another organization working to abolish modern day slavery. Every little bit goes a long way.
4. Add the Human Trafficking Hotline to your contacts on your smartphone. The number is 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).
5. Strategize with others about what we can do as a community at our next film screening.
We’ll show Nefarious on August 27 at 7pm. More details coming soon.
Possibly actions we’ll discuss on August 27:
- starting an ongoing discussion group
- ways we can help create more housing for survivors
- developing more action steps regular people can take to end modern day slavery
- how to connect the abolitionist movement with other social justice issues
This Month at Overflow (version 7.2013)
July's Documentary Film - Banking with Life - Tuesday, July 23, 7:00 pm
So, we'll be the first to admit this isn't our usual kind of film. It's a film that's specific and a little one-sided. So why are we showing it? For two reasons: 1. because a friend/customer convinced us we should and 2. because we think the film will present some ideas that many people haven't ever considered regarding financial freedom. Financial freedom! That sounds like something that could lead to living a more world changing life. :-) The film is 50 minutes long so there will be plenty of time for discussion afterward. We'll wrap up at 9pm if not before.
More information about the film and tickets are available here.
Artist's Reception - Friday, July 12, 7:00 pm
We're very excited about our artist of the month for July! Chandana Sengupta's art will be hung July 2 but here's a preview of her exhibition titled: "Glassroute - Stained Glass Painting."
Other events hosted in our building:
- Tuesday, July 9 - Out of the Past Film Screening (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 6:30pm
- Saturday, July 13 - Chicago Solo Theatre (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 8:00 pm
Shop Informed – Purposeful Living Idea 12 of 52
We want to share a tool we use all the time to inform our purchasing decisions. It’s called Free 2 Work and it’s a website (www.free2work.org) and a smart phone app (Free2Work).
Free2Work provides consumers with information on how products relate to modern-day slavery. Through the site you can learn how your favorite brands are working to address forced and child labor. You can additionally access in-depth information about industry issues through our industry pages and news feeds, and you can learn more about trafficking and supply chains through our blog posts.Here are 2 practical things to try:
- Think of your favorite brand (clothing, chocolate, electronics, etc.). Then go to Free 2 Work and learn how the brand relates to trafficking and other labor abuses. Depending on what you’ve learn, shop with a smile or contact your brand and let them know you’re thinking twice their status as your favorite brand.
- The next time you’re at the shoe store or in the candy aisle or planning a weekend of shopping, check out Free 2 Work. Look at the various brands you’re thinking of purchasing and how they stack up against each other. Make your informed choices accordingly.
Informed shopping --> improved consumer satisfaction and positive world change.
Pay Cash at Local Businesses - Purposeful Living Idea 11 of 52
Many people use debit/credit cards for very good reasons. Credit cards are convenient and good ones give you cash back. If you lose your cash or your cash gets stolen, you’re out of luck.
What many people don’t realize is that it’s common practice for companies to add enough into the sticker price of the items they sell to cover the costs of their customers using debit/credit cards. This means that even customers who pay cash pay more for their items. You, as the customer, pay the higher price.
This means that you can make a difference for your favorite small, local businesses by paying cash when you visit them. You’ll save the merchant credit card processing fees and that can help make their business flourish. It could even help them keep their prices down so that their able to better compete with large corporations.
Of course, as a small, local business owner, I’m biased. But I can vouch for the fact that our business would fail if every customer paid via credit card. I’m not exaggerating.
Pay cash. Keep your favorite local shop in business. Change the world.
What many people don’t realize is that it’s common practice for companies to add enough into the sticker price of the items they sell to cover the costs of their customers using debit/credit cards. This means that even customers who pay cash pay more for their items. You, as the customer, pay the higher price.
This means that you can make a difference for your favorite small, local businesses by paying cash when you visit them. You’ll save the merchant credit card processing fees and that can help make their business flourish. It could even help them keep their prices down so that their able to better compete with large corporations.
Of course, as a small, local business owner, I’m biased. But I can vouch for the fact that our business would fail if every customer paid via credit card. I’m not exaggerating.
Pay cash. Keep your favorite local shop in business. Change the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
