John,

Today is Labor Day! And for us at Love146, it's more than a day off. (Even though I do have the day off and, let's be honest, last Friday I scheduled this email to be sent).

This is a day that was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. That movement did a lot to protect children. At the turn of the century, it was common for children as young as 5 and 6 to be working — often in terrible conditions and ways that prevented them from getting an education.  We’ve come a long way and we’re grateful to everyone who stood up to protect these children and fought for the rights many of us enjoy today.

Still today, some children continue to be exploited and some trafficked. This is especially true in certain industries and among more vulnerable populations, such as migrants/immigrants and those living in extreme poverty.

Knowing your rights is important for people of all ages, but especially for children who may be forced to work or are seeking employment for the first time! Are you a child or parent who wants to know the rights of youth workers? Please explore and pass along our Youth Worker Rights page. In the top right corner of the page, you'll even find a downloadable/printable brochure.

This Labor Day, we also want to pause and say thank you for your support! There are several ways your donations empower youth workers. Your donations to Love146 are…

• Helping youth with job readiness, resume preparation, and job training.

• Equipping businesses employing survivors in our care to create more supportive workplaces.

• Supporting youth who were trafficked after responding to false job offers.

• Journeying alongside youth survivors as they begin to dream about their futures.

• Reaching youth with a prevention education curriculum that helps them learn about trafficking and labor exploitation, and who they can reach out to if they need help.

Workers should be safe and free. This is possible with a collective movement and persistent action – when enough of us refuse to tolerate exploitation. Thank you for being a part making this world safer for today's workers – and the next generation.