Human Trafficking Awareness Plans Awareness Events in Fort Myers and on Sanibel

Island Sun Newspaper January 14, 2011

After four successful ARTREACH events for middle and high school students, FGCU students developed outreach materials for Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships (HTAP)  in their Gender Studies Class led by Dr. Kris DeWelde. They created a poster showing the many aspects of trafficking and their impact on young girls and a Public Service Announcement.

Artwork created though this program has been exhibited in Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Nola Theiss, Executive Director of HTAP conducted an ARTREACH training program for the Philadelphia Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

In the next few months, additional programs are scheduled at the Oasis Charter School in Cape Coral and Canterbury School with other programs are in the planning stages.  Zonta Clubs on Sanibel and in Ft. Myers have provided seed funding for these projects, but we are looking for matching funds for more programs and to professionally film a human trafficking play which was written last year by students at Cypress Lake Center for the Arts.

A number of local businesses have offered us the opportunity to hold events in January. The public is welcome and encouraged to come:

January 13, 2011: Ellington’s Jazz Bar and Restaurant at 1244 Periwinkle Way hosts the Island Jazz band from 6 pm to 10 pm. Members of the HTAP board and the Zonta Club’s Human Trafficking Awareness Committee will be on hand to answer questions. Ellington’s is contributing the band’s fee to HTAP.

January 20, 2011: The Theatre Conspiracy will perform a one man show by Will Stutts titled “Frank Lloyd Wright” at the Alliance for the Arts, 10091 MacGregor Drive, Fort Myers. Tickets are $25. for reception and performance (7 pm reception, 8 pm performance). Refreshments will be provided by Doc Ford’s Restaurant. Please contact Nola Theiss at 395-2635 to reserve your ticket or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

January 27, 2011: Eileen Fisher Boutique at 2055 Periwinkle Way is offering a special benefit for the ARTREACH program from 1 to 6 pm with presentation by HTAP at 4 pm. Artwork will be displayed and refreshments and champagne will be offered as well and Eileen Fisher double points will be awarded all day. 10% of the profits will go to HTAP.

For additional information about these programs or about the ARTREACH program or ways you can help prevent human trafficking in our community, please contact Nola Theiss at 395-2635 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .