Brudders' Books Partners With VuViVo & HeartDance To Support Victims of Human Trafficking

The Superbowl coming to Tampa Bay brought lots of fun, excitement, crowds, and was great for Tampa Bay businesses. Not to mention, we gained some loveable new nicknames, like “Tompa” and “Champa Bay.”

But a high profile event such as this brings along with it a lesser known dark side as well.

Realities of Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against his/her will.

And sadly, victims of human trafficking are often overlooked, as they may look like many of the people you see everyday.

The good news is, there is growing worldwide support to help fight this horrible industry and provide relief and support to the victims and their families.

Local Support in Our Community

Two Tampa Bay organizations who have poured their heart and soul into this cause are VuViVo and HeartDance, and we here at Brudders’ Books are honored to be able to work with both of them.

In 2020 VUVIVO Ministries’ LAB Initiative raised and contributed over $50k to support efforts to fight human trafficking and care for survivors. $20k was provided to the International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators in order to sponsor specialized training for Tampa Bay law enforcement agencies ahead of the 2021 Super Bowl.

In October of 2020, funds from the LAB Initiative were used to help a non-profit organization in Brazil facilitate the rescue and care for a precious teenage girl out of a horribly traumatic situation.

The remaining funds were distributed locally to organizations whose work directly supports human trafficking survivors.

Supporting Survivors and Children in At-Risk Families

Enter HeartDance. HeartDance’s mission is to provide hope and restoration to exploited men, women, and children in Tampa Bay. One notable initiative of theirs is teaming up with other local organizations to reach out to women and their children who work in the strip club industry. With gifts, non-judgment, and lots of love and prayer, they seek to bring Christ's light and hope into the darkest places in Tampa Bay.

Brudders® Continues His Mission to be a Child’s Forever Friend

As HeartDance was ministering to at-risk moms working in Tampa’s strip club industry, they learned that one of the things the moms wanted most were children’s books that were grounded in faith and could provide their kids comfort and hope.

When HeartDance reached out to VuViVo asking if they knew anyone, Brudders’ Books instantly popped into VuViVo’s mind. And when VuViVo reached out to us, we didn’t hesitate one second to help out.

So on Superbowl Sunday, while many were in front of their TVs or at the game, Team Brudders and VuViVo Ministries got together and put God’s work into motion.

We wrote out cards to these at-risk moms with words of encouragement and included them in gift bags, complete with signed Brudders® books for their young children.

“I constantly go back to the WHY behind us creating Brudders’ Books in the first place, and the WHO that we really wanted to be there for,” says author K.A. Leigh. “Everyone always asks us how we came up with Brudders, and our motivation then was as clear as it is now. Brudders’ character and story was developed with a young child in mind, who might not always have their parents around, who might have a less than ideal family situation, or who might live in a wonderful family but secretly want a special friend they can relate to and bond with. So when Zach from VuViVo came to us with this situation and urgent need, it was a no-brainer. This is exactly why we created Brudders®, and he and HeartDance’s missions couldn’t be more relevant to ours.”

Brudders® Books Creators, K.A. Leigh & Derek Roberts

It was a really special evening working together with VuViVo, and we feel so blessed knowing that these young kids might take comfort in having Brudders as their special forever friend, and knowing that for us, this is another step forward in living out God’s purpose for our lives.

If you know of kids or families at risk or in similar situations, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us, VuViVo, or HeartDance for support. We’re here to help in any way we can.

Thank you for sharing in our mission, and back into the woods we go!

-K.A. & Derek