The Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (G.E.M.S.) (www.gems-girls.org) is an organization founded and based in New York City that helps empower young women, ages 12-21, who have experienced sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking, to help them find freedom and transform their lives. Founded in 1998, G.E.M.S. has grown from a one-woman kitchen table project, to a nationally recognized and acclaimed organization and is one of the largest providers of services to commercially sexually exploited and domestically trafficked youth in the US. G.E.M.S. also advocates at the local, state and national level working to end commercial exploitation and trafficking in our nation. Many are unaware of how prevalent this is in the U.S. In a 2009 report it was estimated that there are at least 3,500 minors involved in prostitution in New York City. In New York City the average age of entry into the sex industry is 12 years old.
In April 2010, our Ladies' Tea was devoted to raising funds and awareness for G.E.M.S. and was a great success.
On Monday evening, November 1st, 2010 we held a follow up event to further raise awareness and funds. All Souls hosted a screening of the award-winning documentary film "Very Young Girls", a shocking and deeply moving exposé of the commercial exploitation of barely-adolescent girls on the streets of New York City. A special guest from G.E.M.S. was present and hosted a Q & A after the screening. Approximately 130 people attended and we were able to raise $1,690 for G.E.M.S.. During September, October and November we held an in-kind donations drive collecting 51 large bags of clothing, household items and food for the girls at G.E.M.S.
At our Ladies' Christmas tea in December 2010 we collected gifts for the 50 girls at the Girls Educational and Mentoring Services and wrote 24 personal notes of thanks and encouragement for the G.E.M.S. staff members to bless this wonderful organization and their work to end human trafficking at Christmas time.
G.E.M.S. renovated their headquarters in March 2011. The post-renovation reopening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. We were honored to be there to celebrate their 13 years of history and a bright future ahead. The design of the new space was generously donated by Perkins + Will architectural firm. Other furniture, lighting and construction firms were also contributors.
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