Jackson Free Press

The JFP Chick Ball is more than just a night of entertainment and merriment—at the heart of the Chick Ball is a vehicle to shine a light to victimization in our city and state. This focus of this year's event is the national and local menace of sex trafficking.

"People can be coerced and threatened to stay and do things for a variety of different reasons. Fear is always at the base of it," says Sandy Middleton, executive director of the Center for Violence Prevention. The money raised at the Chick Ball will help assist trafficking victims, raise awareness and train law enforcement to help them determine the difference between a victim and a criminal, since in human trafficking cases, individuals are often forced into prostitution.

The Center for Violence Prevention—which serves Copiah, Hinds, Issaquena, Madison, Rankin, Sharkey, Simpson, Warren and Yazoo counties—has an ongoing mission to partner with multiple community organizations on the needs of the domestic-violence client and advocate for every person's right to a life free from violence. The JFP Chick Ball, in its ninth year, has been instrumental in helping further that mission.

"It's not just the funds. They have certainly been much-needed and well-used for a lot of great projects, but it's also that feeling of support from the community that has meant so much to us and the seriousness with which the staff (at the JFP) has taken our issues. The JFP has been a voice for this issue that is sorely needed in our community," Middleton says.

The 9th Annual Chick Ball is Saturday, July 20, from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. at Hal & Mal's (200 S. Commerce St.). The event, for age 18 and up, is $5. Come enjoy singer/songwriters, bands, spoken-word poets, and food donated by local eateries.

The Chick Ball is looking for sponsors, silent-auction donations and volunteers. Items needed include: original art, gift certificates, corporate items, gifts (big and small), monetary donations, chick toys and decor. Donations received by July 12 will be featured in the Chick Ball gift guide on July 17. Sponsorships levels are: Imperial Highness $5,000, Diva/Devo $2,500, Goddess/God $1,000, Queen/King $500, Princess/Prince $250, Duchess/Duke $125, Chick/Rooster $50. For more information, call 601-362-6121, ext. 23, or email [email protected]. Watch for updates at jfpchickball.com, follow @jfpchickball on Twitter, or go to facebook.com/JFPChickball.