The big day is coming up soon! Countdown to an amazing New Year's Eve DAY event.

The Freedom For All Foundation has been working all year towards 1000 Breaths II; A Worldwide Release Party, an event which will hold an ancient "forgiveness" technique, a live concert as well as the world-wide release of "Indoctrinated; The Grooming of our Children into Prostitution."

Register HERE
FAQ HERE

Quotes from those who saw the film:

"I have two girls at home. This film scared the crap out of me. This film could make a huge difference in your lives and the lives of your children."
- Lieutenant Eric Thunberg, Chula Vista Police

"This film is a reality check for those of you who live in the world with your eyes shut."
- Corporal Colleen Stanich, National City Police

"This is a must see for parents, and students in middle school and high school.”
- Brian Beck, father of a youth victim of sex trafficking

San Diego Union Tribune Article!

Super SD Union journalist Karen Pearlman has written a wonderful article about the film, about the modest filmmaker (Jim!), and about the 1000 Breaths event on New Year's Eve Day.

Check out the article here:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/dec/22/documentary-on-child-exploitation-set-for-release/

Successful Showing at USD

On December 6, 2011, there it was: 300 people - educators, city officials - sitting in the USD Institute of Peace and Justice Theater watching the "Indoctrinated" film. Was I dreaming? I was able to say a few words to the audience before they saw the sneak preview. I wasn't even nervous really, just proud I guess. Not just for the completion of the film, but also to be part of a cause that holds as solution: getting parents and teens on the same page! A successful night included a panel of experts on child sex trafficking. In the end, the good news is the word is getting out on what's really going on in this realm, and our education will lead us to our freedom and the freeing of the enslaved girls caught in a world they don't truly choose.

Another chance to see this film will take place at the special event - 1000 Breaths II - December 31, 2011 at 11 a.m. More and register here: www.1000Breaths.com.

Filmmaker takes on sex industry that shatters 100,000 US teens each year

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jennifer Geronimo
(619) 713-6756 - Jennifer@Indoctrinated.org

The statistics are staggering. UNICEF reports that two children per minute are trafficked for sexual exploitation in the world. Each year 100,000 teens in the United States fall victim to a sex industry that takes advantage of minors under the age of 18. (Source: Department of Justice). Locally, the FBI has identified the San Diego region as a “High Intensity Child Prostitution Area.”

So what is being done about this tragic issue? For one, San Diego filmmaker Jim Ellis has produced a short education film – “Indoctrinated: The Grooming of Our Children Into Prostitution” – in order to create awareness about and change around this issue. “Indoctrinated” – a 30-minute documentary sponsored by the San Diego County Office of Education – uncovers the scope and destructive nature of child sex trafficking and teaches parents and youth ways to protect the girls and the community. The film does so by revealing the tactics used by pimps and gangs to recruit, groom, psychologically coerce and indoctrinate victims into a life of sexual exploitation and violence … a life that no one would ever choose.

Says Ellis, “As a filmmaker, I was present as females talked about the horrors they have been through in a lifestyle they didn’t truly want. It’s horrific the physical torture and mind-games they endured, and I’m proud to be able to share their triumph over their abuse, as well as give hope to a community that must wake up to the nightmare these girls face on a daily basis.”

Two versions of this film have been prepared: a student version in partnership with the San Diego Office of Education and The ACTION Network, as well as a community edition which will be made available worldwide. The office of education will make the film available to educators and school forums throughout the county, and already there is interest from other parts of the nation to present the film.

Three years in the making, the film includes interviews with former prostituted youth, law enforcement, a former pimp, and parents of victims, as well as police ride-along footage.

A premiere screening for selected school administrators and city officials takes place Tuesday, December 6 at the University of San Diego.

The worldwide release of the film will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 31 at St. Marks Sanctuary (3502 Clairemont Dr. San Diego, CA 92117). The worldwide showing of the film will be part of a larger event - 1000 Breaths II - that includes a musical concert by international recording artist Karl Anthony and a “release party” to celebrate the release of the film and to ceremonially release anything that binds us as individuals. This event will also be a fundraiser to help disseminate the film. For more information and to register, go to http://www.1000Breaths.com

Did you listen?

On Friday, Jim and I interviewed the one and only Kendra Wilkinson, reality tv star, Playboy Playmate, on our Freedom For All Radio Show. What a gift to hear her thoughts on the freedom of expression.

Check it out on the archive: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freedomforall/2011/11/11/guest-kendra-wilkinson

Reunion III: Men & Women ... And Everything In Between

Our greatest challenge at times isn't at the office or on the battlefield of life, but in the remaining powerful men and loving women in our relationships. This experiential party will be fun, revealing and enlightening - leading you to the awareness of how to better have successful relationships and partnerships in your life.

• Get Poignant Answers from our Panel of Experts
• Take the Fun 'Ole Gender Quiz
• Have Fun Interactions that Celebrate our Differences

Date: Saturday, November 19, 4 - 6:30 pm. (Arrive after 3:30 pm)
Location: 10 minutes east of downtown San Diego, CA
Cost: Complimentary with your willingness to be open, trusting and full of freedom


Top 10 Results We Intend:

1. We understand there are honest, trustworthy, loving members of the opposite gender who love us for who we are.
2. Everyone learns something; everyone teaches something.
3. Men and Women understand each other without trying to be each other.
4. The men and women work in partnership to make this an awesome and super fun event.
5. There is an acceptance and celebration of our differences.
6. We are able to safely reveal our wounds, and mis-communication with the opposite gender.
7. There is a sense of forgiveness, understanding, compassion, healing, mending, reunion by the end of the event.
8. This event opens a space of gratitude and thanksgiving...
9. Confidentiality is highly honored by both circles.
10. World War III is averted for the time being.

Hosted by Jim Ellis and Jennifer Geronimo of "Fun and Freedom" Events*
RSVP to Jim at JimEllis1103@Yahoo.com

* "Fun and Freedom" is the title of monthly special events sponsored by the Freedom For All Foundation, which serves to help free those enslaved in our society and those imprisoned in their own minds and hearts.

Wow, You Gotta Hear This One

Wow! Guess who we have on the Freedom for All Radio Show this Friday! Kendra Wilkinson! Is there anyone who is more free with their expression, feelings, speech, body? This woman rocks!

Television personality, Playboy Playmate and glamor girl Kendra Wilkinson is best known from her self-titled E! hit reality series “Kendra.” Entering into its 4th season, the show follows Kendra, NFL player husband Hank, and son Hank IV through their adventurous lives. Between life in the spotlight, raising her toddler son and the challenges of being an NFL wife, the show is a fun-filled, action-packed look into the world of Kendra Wilkinson.

Wilkinson, 26, got her start on one of E! Entertainment’s highest rated television shows, “The Girls Next Door.” She co-starred on the reality hit for five seasons, until 2009 when Wilkinson closed that chapter in her life and opened a new one. That year she got married, welcomed the birth of her son Hank IV and debuted her self-titled show.

Originally from San Diego, Kendra knew little about the world of Playboy before her move to Los Angeles, but she quickly found herself attracted to the carefree, frolicking lifestyle that it offers. She first met Hef while body painted for his 78th birthday party at the Playboy Mansion. Before their first date, Hef asked Kendra to move in and live as one of his girlfriends.

Since the debut of “The Girls Next Door,” Kendra has appeared on the cover of numerous magazines and has enjoyed everything from television to movie appearances. Most recently, Kendra was part of the cast of the popular ABC show “Dancing with the Stars” with professional dance partner Louis Van Amstel. Kendra’s first book “Sliding In to Home” debuted at number four on the New York Times bestseller list when released in 2010. Her follow-up, “Being Kendra” was released in September 2011.

Listen to the show on Friday November 11th at 2 pm PST or in the archives: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freedomforall/2011/11/11/guest-kendra-wilkinson

Fun, Freedom For All - Special Guests Each Week

On last Friday, Jim and I welcomed James Zimmerman from Amnesty International to the Freedom for All Radio Show. Since 1992, James has been a Country Specialist for China within Amnesty International, which is a global movement of people fighting injustice and promoting human rights. (www.amnestyusa.org)

On the show he shared how he got involved with Amnesty International, its mission, some of the current cases they are working on, their success stories, and of course he answered the two question we ask every one of our guests:

1. How do you define freedom
2. When in your life did you feel the most free?

To listen to the show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freedomforall/2011/10/14/guest-james-zimmerman

Jennifer Talks with the Men of MDI

This past week on the Freedom For All Internet Radio Show, Jim had a video shoot that afternoon so he arranged for me to be replaced by four of his teammates from the men’s organization MDI (Mentor Discover Inspire). I had the men answer our show’s two key questions: How do you define freedom? When in your life did you feel the most free? We also discussed freedom in parenting and how being a member of MDI has been freeing for these men. Check out the show here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freedomforall/2011/09/09/jennifer-talks-freedom-with-the-men-of-mdi
And to find out more about MDI: http://www.MDISuccess.com

Movie is Complete

It is complete.
For Jim Ellis, 23 hours sitting in front of a Final Cut Pro program, fine-tuning every second last Tuesday.
The short educational piece Indoctrinated, The Grooming of our Children into Prostitution is now complete.
Presently 34 minutes, we will have the SD County Office of Education review it, and get it absolutely pristine so that students and parents all over San Diego county can become aware of the plight of our prostituted youth.
Initial screening being planned now for late October.
The vision is just about complete

.

Reminder

Reminder – tune in to the Freedom for All Radio Show today, Friday September 2, at 2 pm PST. - we are interviewing Dr. Edith Eger, who has an amazing story. At such a young age she held a mindset that helped her survive the horrors of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Tune in live or listen to the archive anytime after the live broadcast: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freedomforall/2011/09/02/guest-dr-edith-eva-eger

Premiere: Freedom for All Radio Show

Because of the freedom to make a new choice, we’ve had a change of plan for our premier show. Aushwitz survivor Dr. Edith Eger will be on the show next week, Friday, September 2. This week it will be Jim and I. Listen in and see what these two free thinking people are up to. Since our own first adventure of 1000 Breaths on New Year's Eve 2010 - where 250 gathered in the name of freeing children enslaved in prostitution – we are gaining momentum on another huge event as well as the formation of a non-profit foundation Freedom For All. You are invited in on the maiden voyage, the initial kick-off show where we hear of a vision that will touch many.

Website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freedomforall/2011/08/26/premiere-show

Freedom for All - Special Guest Dr. Edith Eva Eger - Auschwitz Survivor

A new Blog Talk Radio program - Freedom For All - debuts with a most AMAZING first guest, Dr. Edith Eva Eger, a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp in the 1940s.

Hosted by Jim Ellis and Jennifer Geronimo the radio show will air 2 pm, Friday, August 26 on Blog Talk Radio. The purpose of the Freedom For All show is to each week present guests who support our freedom in some way, shape or form. Freedom, a deep human need surfacing in the realm of society, relationships and our inner spirit, will be presented through the lives of different guests.

Initial guest Dr. Edith Eva Eger, a native of Hungary, was just a young teenager in 1944 when she experienced one of the worst evils the human race has ever known. As a Jew living in Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe, she and her family were sent to Auschwitz, the heinous death camp. Her parents lost their lives there. Toward the end of the war Edith and other prisoners had been moved to Austria. On May 4, 1945 a young American soldier noticed her hand moving slightly amongst a number of dead bodies. He quickly summoned medical help and brought her back from the brink of death.

After the war, Edith moved to Czechoslovakia where she met the man she would marry. In 1949 they moved to the United States. In 1969 she received her degree in Psychology from the University of Texas, El Paso. She then pursued her doctoral internship at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. Dr. Eger is a prolific author and a member of several professional associations. She has a clinical practice in La Jolla, California and holds a faculty appointment at the University of California, San Diego. She has appeared on numerous television programs including Oprah Winfrey and was the primary subject of a holocaust documentary that appeared on Dutch National Television. She is frequently invited to make speaking engagements throughout the United States, Mexico, and abroad.

To tune into this amazing program click:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/freedomforall/2011/08/26/guest-dr-edith-eva-eger

ANNOUNCEMENT

Jim and I have our kickoff Internet radio show "Freedom For All" on BlogTalkRadio on Friday, August 26 at 2 pm PST. Fun Freedom Fridays! Stay tuned for more details and information on our first guest.

Fun and Freedom Gatherings

On Friday, July 29, Jim and I held our second "Fun and Freedom" gathering. We will continue with them monthly, as we gain momentum towards our annual event, towards the establishment of a "freedom for all" foundation and towards the fire that will flourish from the spark of all of our freedom.

After enjoying some wonderful vegetarian food, we had our guests pair off to answer the ancient quandaries of finding freedom in three major areas:

• In Relationships: communication, honesty, lack of expectation, courage, commitment, destination and goals, independence.
• In the Body: it happens when your body supports you in fulfilling yourself in your purpose - with an absence of hindrance.
• In Society: having choices of where to be, freedom of speech, and wearing jean jackets without being verbally attacked.

More on these gatherings in the near future. The plan is to have special guest speakers who have dedicated their lives to some form of freedom.

Film May be Used at San Diego State

The San Diego State University School of Social Work is interested in using the "Indoctrinated" film in the school's training of child welfare workers throughout San Diego, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Imperial counties, within the curriculum on Human Trafficking.

"Indoctrinated" - A Victory in Film Contest

Thank you to those who voted for the promo-version of this film that Jim has been working on for three years, so it could get the recognition it needs to be brought further out into the public.

"Indoctrinated; The Grooming of Children Into Prostitution" - a short educational film aimed at preventing youth prostitution in our society by bringing awareness of the issue and the recruiting tactics of gangs and pimps - was a winner of top honors, taking 4th in highest rating in the "Do Something World" video contest.
http://www.dosomethingworld.org

Watch, Rate, and Comment!

Big Big news! "Indoctrinated" is among the finalists in the "Do Something World" video contest. DoSomethingWorld.org is a vibrant affiliation of individuals, churches, and other organizations dedicated to serving and impacting their communities in positive ways.

They have designed their website and this contest to be a platform for the exchange of real-world ideas and tools that educate, encourage and inspire meaningful service that can transform our communities and our world.

What an honor to be considered one of the finalist that can be considered for the top prizes.

Can you help by taking a minute to view, rate, and comment on the 3-minute version of Indoctrinated?

If so, click here http://www.dosomethingworld.org/2011/05/indoctrinated/ The contest ends June 14! Thank you for your support!

A Recent News Story

See this important front page story. A prostitution ring was broken up and arrests were made in Oceanside, California earlier this month. Gang members were using social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, to indoctrinate girls locally and in other parts of the country. The short educational film, Indoctrinated, will teach young people what to look for so that they don’t become victims of such recruitment tactics. For the whole story: http://web.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/apr/18/authorities-target-prostitution-operation-vice-gri/

Indoctrinated Documentary Update

It is official. The biggest news so far this year is that Legacy Productions has been granted a contract with the San Diego County Office of Education to complete a 30-minute version of Indoctrinated; The Grooming of Children into Prostitution.

This is huge news. For four years we've worked without funding on the project. Receiving this contract validates not only the hard work up to now, but the fact a vision to awaken our community will be realized. The film will be augmented with a student manual and a qualified facilitator who can guide the students into becoming empowered around this entire issue. So far, five school districts are targeted to receive the presentations.

The vision is for it to go nationwide. We've only just begun.

Also of note: our quarterly newsletter update will be coming out Tuesday, April 5. If you would like to subscribe to receive this and future updates, send an e-mail to 1000Breaths@gmail.com.

How Gangs Are Contributing to the Rise in Prostitution

Maureen Cavanaugh hosts a program on KPBS called "These Days" in San Diego. In November she did a show on how gangs are contributing to the rise in prostitution. She shares how county supervisors are calling for tougher penalties for human trafficking because they now have more details and statistics about the impact street gangs are having on teenage prostitution in San Diego. This is where the short educational film "Indoctrinated" will help this cause, as the film will reach the teens and parents to teach them the tactics gangs use to lure the innocent. Listen to this interview; it is quite informative: http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/nov/16/gangs-contributing-rise-prostitution/

What is this blog about?

I know sometimes this blog - and the related 1000 Breaths event - may seem split between a few different topics.

• An update on the Indoctrinated film - aimed at stopping youth prostitution.
• Posts about the cause of child sexual exploitation.
• Words of support for the healing modality of "Breathwork."

What do these all have in common?
What I realized of late was a common denominator of "freedom."

Freedom for the children on the street, freedom for ourselves as we move deeply inward to remove our own barriers and blocks.

Many times the freedom we wish to achieve for ourselves is the healing from a painful past where we were judged, scorned or hurt. These inner states - born of yesteryear - are like trapped little children who long for attention and love.

As we work to free the children from the slavery at the hands of the careless and cruel pimps, we free our selves from our own prisons. As the outer, so the inner. So that we can be fully expressed as free souls that we are.

What Do Super Bowl Sunday and Sex Trafficking Have in Common?

An article was forwarded to me about how child sex trafficking statistics is expected to rise with Super Bowl Sunday. The article states that according to the Dallas Women’s Foundation study, 250 underage girls are victims of sex trafficking in North Texas, a number that child advocates say will increase exponentially during the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl will be played in Arlington, Texas this year. The study reports that over 740 girls are exploited across Texas annually. To learn more: http://www.care2.com/causes/womens-rights/blog/during-superbowl-sex-trafficking-of-young-women-expected-to-increase-in-texas

More Response to the Film

I imagine once you put a strong intention out there, and then work your tail off day after day, it all pays off ... in response down the road. The latest around "Indoctrinated," a short educational film aimed at preventing youth prostitution:

• Two local churches are looking to be champions in supporting the creation of the documentary.
• The San Diego County Office of Education is working on the idea of having a syllabus to go along with the short film, so students can have printed-out guides to support their education.
• On Monday, January 31, we will do a 20-minute presentation before the San Diego Unified School District's Advisory Council Meeting.

More and more chances to finish up the film, and get it out there for the highest purpose and the biggest impact!

It all pays off.

Check Out this Article

I just found this incredible article in the Huffington Post about child sex trafficking the United States. Read it to also learn more about Lois Lee PhD, founder of Children of the Night and who is considered a pioneer in rescuing America's sex slaves: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/Mickey-goodman/sex-trafficking-united-states-children_b_812784.html

Solutions Rather Than Stats

As the "Indoctrinated" film continues to progress (look for website for the film shortly) and plans for 1000 Breaths 2011 are underway, I am still committed to learn more about the cause every day, follow what other advocates are doing, and track progress. Today I saw an article that covered the Northwest Conference Against Trafficking which took place in Oregon this weekend. At the conference they focused on solutions rather than stats about child sex trafficking. You can see the full story at: http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/01/northwest_conference_on_preven.html

Support is All Around

Support comes in many forms.
And I want to be gracious and grateful in receiving all of it.
We just got word that the San Diego County Office of Education would cover the duplication costs for 1000 copies of the short educational film "Indoctrinated" once it's ready for release into the school district.
Plus envelopes and postage! ;o)
I love watching as the Universe takes an idea and makes it its own.

Victories

Here is a wonderful article I found today called “2010's Top 10 Victories in the Fight Against Human Trafficking”:
http://humantrafficking.change.org/blog/view/2010s_top_10_victories_in_the_fight_against_human_trafficking

More Media!

Yesterday Jim spoke to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors who met to start implementing tougher penalties for street gangs engaged in pimping and pandering. The media attended this meeting and Jim was quoted. Check it out:
http://ww.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jan/11/county-cracking-down-teen-prostitution/

Today – 1/11/11 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day!

January 11, 2011 has been proclaimed Human Trafficking Awareness Day. There are organizations throughout the country that are doing great things to create the awareness so needed around this issue. I found one website in particular that lists some of those happenings by state, check it out:
http://humantrafficking.change.org/blog/view/national_human_trafficking_awareness_day_events_near_you

Jennifer Durant of the Seacoast Media Group estimates that 800,000 to 900,000 individuals are trafficked across international borders worldwide. In the United States alone, 18,000 to 20,000 victims are trafficked into or within this country every year, with approximately 80 percent of these victims being children. She says, “Human trafficking is modern day slavery that involves the sexual and labor exploitation of millions of men, women and children worldwide. Human trafficking has no borders. Victims can be abused within their own communities or moved throughout the world to avoid detection, forced to live a life of servitude."

Here are a couple other links I wanted to share:

Information about a Freedom Walk in Los Angeles today:
http://www.castla.org/national-human-trafficking-awareness-day-2011

An article in The Gainsville Sun, “Time to stop human trafficking:”
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110110/NEWS/110119965/1109/sports?Title=Sam-Trickey-Time-to-stop-human-trafficking

What can you do? Share some of those stats with your contacts, participate in one of the many happenings today that are taking place to create awareness, and - of course - support if you wish the short educational film, Indoctrinated, so we can get this information out to all parents and children. More here: http://www.1000Breaths.com

A Step Forward

I found some good news on the internet today! On December 9th the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill that would provide critical resources for American children who have been trafficked for sex in the U.S. For the full story: http://humantrafficking.change.org/blog/view/landmark_child_sex_trafficking_bill_passes_senate_races_clock_to_house

Keeping the Prayer Alive

So each day we pray for the continued support and expansion towards our goals - Freedom for All. Freedom for the teens on the street. Freedom for our own inner prisons of hate, blame, shame and loss.

The expansion continues with good news, daily!

• Yesterday we followed up a lead with the William Morris Agency who represents a famous rock band that would work so well for next year's event.
• Yesterday, a school district communicated the potential to fund the completion of the short educational film "Indoctrinated," so we can get a presentation out to the teens in the school district.

All part of the vision of freedom for youth, care for our community, love for humanity.

Pictures from the Big Day!

I thought all of you would enjoy seeing some pictures from our New Year's Eve 1000 Breaths!

1. Karl Anthony brought a whole bunch of attendees on stage with him to dance and sing.
2. Nikki Jo Junker, our guest speaker featured in the short educational film, Indoctrinated.
3. Our wonderful registration volunteers.
4. Jim and I watching our dream unfold.

The Following Days...

I love Spirit.
The following day after the event, I was laying down on the ground looking up at these trees at a park, and I simply felt the presence.
I believe it's the presence of grace all of us are privy to.
I believe it's the presence of grace all of us truly are deep down.
Let us always remember that unity is the truth, and everything else is simply a mis-communication - a simple misstep, mishap on our journey towards finding ourselves ... and finding each other.
The unity is our foundation. It's where we started, and it will be our final destination.
Spirit will make it so.

The Debut of the 11 Minute Short Educational Film – "Indoctrinated"

Yesterday at the event we debuted the 11-minute version of the short educational film "Indoctrinated," filmed, edited and produced by Jim. This film is what 1000 Breaths was all about – raising funds to complete a longer version which can be distributed to schools for the sake of prevention. A tool that will create awareness as well as educate children and parents about child sex exploitation, the 11-minute version is now on YouTube. Please check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EERj-CO6aE