STYLE STORY: STARS & STRIPES

Happy Fourth of July weekend!

Many of you are probably looking forward to this American holiday. Who doesn't love celebrating the freedom we have in America to spend time with friends, enjoy delicious barbecues and shop those awesome sales?

But did you know that there are Americans who don't have these freedoms?

The freedom many Americans have is so precious, but I catch myself too often taking it for granted. When I remove the blinders and look in my periphery, I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have the freedom to worship freely, to dress freely, to speak freely, to act freely, etc.

So how can it be that there are people in America who do not enjoy these same freedoms? 

Recent statistics have stated that more than 10,000 sex trafficking victims have been identified in the United States? Emphasis on "been identified" because that means there are countless more who have not been found. Yet.

We can make a change to this horrendous truth. 

This week's Sevenly Cause, Polaris, is working hard to rescue the young victims of human trafficking in the US. Your support provides crisis intervention, with staff on call 24/7 to respond immediately to victims in crisis. Polaris also supports the victims with long-term care including counseling, emergency housing, food, emergency medical and mental health treatment. Above all, your help will give young girls a chance to rebuild their lives and enjoy their freedom.

Will you consider supporting this incredible cause and grant freedom to these young victims? It's one thing to know the truth; it's another to act upon that truth and change a person's ugly reality to something beautiful.

For each purchase made this week, Sevenly will donate $7 to Polaris! Or if you don't have the funds to support them monetarily, consider educating yourself on how to recognize a victim of human trafficking. You may be shocked to find that you've encountered a victim before but never realized it until you have learned the signs.

And let's also remember to not take our freedoms for granted, but to do more good with the freedoms we have. I hope you all enjoy your holiday weekend! Don your stars & stripes, celebrate well & safely with your friends, and give thanks for your freedom!

SHOP MY LOOK:

Dress: Anthropologie {Similar | Similar}

Heels: BCBG {Similar | Similar}

Clutch: Kate Spade {Similar}

Jewelry: Rocksbox {Receive 1 month FREE unlimited subscription with code joannaxoxo}