FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OUR Rescue Announces New “Center of Excellence” in Dallas-Fort Worth and $100,000 Matching Grant Program for Texas Nonprofits Dedicated to Ending Human Trafficking and the Sexual Exploitation of Children
DALLAS, Texas (July 18, 2024) – OUR Rescue, a leading nonprofit dedicated to combating human trafficking and child sexual exploitation worldwide, today announced that it is establishing a Texas Center of Excellence (COE) in the DFW metroplex. With the grand opening, OUR Rescue also committed $100,000 in matching grants for Texas nonprofits focused on ending human sex trafficking. Details of the grant program and the COE will be announced as the organization hosts its inaugural “Rise Up. Get Loud.” event on Friday, July 26, at 7:05 p.m., during the Frisco RoughRiders game. Special discounted tickets for supporters are available online.
OUR Rescue’s event coincides with others hosted across the globe in recognition of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, the day encourages taking action against human trafficking and promoting and protecting the rights of trafficking victims.
“With the expansion of OUR Rescue’s work across the Lone Star State, we are entering this region with a matching grant program to help support the great work already being done by nonprofits here in Texas. We will provide more details as we commemorate World Day Against Trafficking during the Frisco Roughriders game,” said Tammy Lee, OUR Rescue CEO. “The Center of Excellence will broaden our base of volunteers and donors who make it possible to double down on combating human trafficking by supporting the work of law enforcement agencies and providing comprehensive survivor care programs for the children and women we help rescue.”
An OUR Rescue information booth will be located along the left field line where attendees will get more details and learn how to become a donor or volunteer. Attendees also can meet K9 Remi and her handler with the Dallas Police Department. ESD K9s detect the presence of electronic storage devices and other digital evidence such as hard drives, USB drives, and cell phones used by pedophiles and human traffickers to exploit children and adults.
“The number of human trafficking cases in Texas is the second highest in the nation, according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline,” said Matt Osborne, OUR Rescue’s vice president of advancement and global education and training ambassador. “Thus far, some 25 Texas law enforcement agencies have received OUR Rescue’s support, including the placement of four K9s near Houston and Dallas. The OUR Rescue Texas Center of Excellence will expand current services provided through education, operational support, survivor care and law enforcement training.”
Since 2013, OUR Rescue’s work has contributed both directly and indirectly to more than 4,000 suspected predator arrests, thousands of survivors assisted, and 1,000+ operations supported. The organization has five regional teams of in-country Operators and Survivor Care team members in Asia, the Middle East/Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the United States/Canada.
Discounted $12 tickets for supporters with seating in OUR Rescue sections are available here. Editor’s note: Find story assets in OUR Rescue’s press room.
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Headquartered in Salt Lake City with Centers of Excellence in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Dallas-Fort Worth, OUR Rescue is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the fight against child sexual exploitation and human trafficking worldwide. Founded in 2013, the organization’s work spans the globe, assisting law enforcement and funding equipment and training to help develop and prosecute cases. Additionally, OUR Rescue donates Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9s to police and provides comprehensive survivor care services. To learn more visit www.OURrescue.org
Contact:
Jeanne Carpenter
612.803.1282