By Anna Bisaro
New Haven Register, Conn.
WWR Article Summary (tl;dr) YouTube fashion and beauty entrepreneur Michelle Phan has pledged to donate $2 for every $1 raised by New Haven-based Love146 (a non profit that fights human trafficking).
NEW HAVEN
A local nonprofit fighting the global problem of human trafficking is due to receive a large financial boost this holiday season, thanks to YouTube fashion and beauty entrepreneur Michelle Phan.
Phan has pledged to donate $2 for every $1 raised by New Haven-based Love146 up to $35,000, through Dec. 31.
If that goal is reached, she will donate an additional $70,000, resulting in a total donation of $105,000, Love146 announced this week.
“Millions of children all over the world are taken into human trafficking, their dreams vanished,” said Phan in a press release from Love146. “I’m a big supporter of Love146 because of their commitment to care for survivors and their holistic approach to fighting child trafficking. By protecting our youth, they are protecting our future.”
Phan has a following of more than 8.7 million, according to her YouTube channel, and she regularly posts videos about fashion, beauty and lifestyle. She also was named on the Forbes 2015 “30 under 30” list.
The internet sensation has supported Love146 in the past, including producing two videos about the work the organization is doing to fight human trafficking — “Remember the Girl” and “You are More.”
“Michelle has a unique voice and ability to spread the word about child trafficking and exploitation, and speaks passionately about the need to put an end to this horror,” said Rob Morris, president and co-founder of Love146. “Her support, and the support of her millions of followers, will make a difference in the lives of children, helping us give them the expert care and love that they deserve.”
Love146 works to combat human trafficking both at home and abroad, and in Connecticut provides services and aid to survivors of human trafficking. The organization received $800,000 from the state Office of Victim Services and the state Department of Children and Families to expand the long-term survivor care program and the Rapid Response program earlier this year.
Donations to Love146 can be made on its website, www.love146.org.
