SEATTLE, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas Free, a Kirkland-based human trafficking organization at the forefront of the global fight against human trafficking, raised over $1.6 million at its 15th annual gala, the most successful gala in the organization's history. Held on September 19th at The Hyatt Regency Bellevue in Bellevue, WA, the event gathered individuals, business owners, and philanthropists united around a single goal: a world free from sex trafficking.

This year's theme, +hope, invited attendees to add hope to the stories of the 27.6 million women and children¹ who experience sexual exploitation every day. Guests heard directly from survivors and Atlas Free leaders, learned how their investment translates into action, and had the chance to change the trajectory of vulnerable lives by funding work to hold perpetrators accountable, bring healing to survivors, and prevent future exploitation.

The evening also honored heroic leaders in the fight for freedom with special recognition awards. Flip and Christie Johnson, owners of Purpose Boutique, invest a percentage of every sale into Atlas Free's work. As leaders in their space, they've proven that fashion can do more than sell; it can fuel purpose, freedom, and inspire an entire community to give with intention. Survivor leader and advocate Faythe Kadona was also honored for her ongoing work preventing the sexual exploitation of children in the United States. Faythe championed a new law in Georgia to clear survivors' criminal records caused while under the control of their traffickers.

The program concluded with an address from Atlas Free's CEO & President, Jeremy Vallerand. "May we not just believe that freedom is possible, but may we put those beliefs into action with conviction, boldness, and generosity. That is how hope works, when someone finds freedom from exploitation, it changes generations," said Vallerand.

Sex trafficking is a global, multi-billion-dollar industry, but Atlas Free runs a global network of organizations working to dismantle it. Atlas Free identifies and partners with local organizations engaged in anti-sex trafficking work within their communities, currently working with 140 organizations across 67 countries. Through its network, Atlas Free focuses on every angle of the fight, including perpetrator accountability, targeted prevention, policy change, and survivor intervention and care.

Funds raised at the Freedom Gala will allow Atlas Free to expand its network strategically, strengthen leaders across its partner organizations, and scale proven programs—key strategic pillars for the organization's work in the years ahead.

To learn more about Atlas Free and get involved, visit atlasfree.org.

About Atlas Free

Atlas Free's mission is to accelerate and resource the fight against sex trafficking and exploitation. The organization identifies and invests in impactful programs, leaders, and organizations fighting human trafficking worldwide, empowering a global movement to bring freedom everywhere. Learn more at Atlas Free and join the global movement to end sex trafficking at atlasfree.org.

Source: 1: International Labour Organization 2022

Media Contact
Lindsey Bretz
Marketing Director
LindseyB@atlasfree.org

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SOURCE Atlas Free