Meet Naomi, A Teenager Making a Difference in the Battle Against Human Trafficking

"It feels amazing knowing that I, an American high school sophomore, can change lives worldwide."

I’m participating in Dressember to raise awareness about human trafficking through the lens of how the issue relates to art and mental health. I’m interviewing participants on the topic throughout the month. Learn more here.

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On the other hand, if you love this work, consider a paid subscription. I am donating ten percent of all December Substack income to Dressember. PLUS, for every five new annual subscriptions this month, I’m immediately subscribing to another Substacker to support other creatives writing about art and mental health.

Naomi inspires me with her participation in Dressember. I love her fashion sense, and I love that it gets people talking, which means she gets the opportunity to explain to others why she cares about doing her part to work against human trafficking. Let her inspire you too …

What does Dressember mean to you? Why are you participating this year?

It means spreading God's love, speaking up for those with no voice, and trying to grant justice and freedom to the people trapped in trafficking situations.

Have you participated in the past? If so, what have the best parts and the most challenging parts been?

Yes, but this is only my second year. The best part was reaching 9.5x my original goal, but it was difficult to be reminded of the terrible things happening to girls my age and younger all over the world.

What does "mental health" mean to you? How does it relate to your own life and/or your understanding of the Dressember cause?

I struggle with ADHD, anxiety, and depression, so mental health is very important in my life. Nearly everyone who has experienced the horrors of the human trafficking industry is bound with trauma, depression, and other mental health struggles.

In what ways does Dressember allow you to express yourself creatively while raising awareness and funds?

I LOVE dresses, and I like to pair it with a corset or a fun sweater for the cold. My seemingly extravagant outfits typically get a lot of attention from others, which is just what I want because it gives me a perfect opportunity to tell them about my cause!

In what other ways do you think creativity and mental health intersect through the Dressember project?

I think it's very important to let creativity take hold when fundraising for any cause. If you're not expressively enjoying what you're doing, no one will see how important the cause is to you. In terms of mental health, I've found that "fun generosity" is actually extremely beneficial to my mental health. In addition to the joy I get whenever I receive a new donation, my Christmas gift to my best friend (Sylvia Schneider) is always a donation to her Dressember campaign, which is an incredible feeling for the both of us!

What is the aspect of Dressember's cause that you most want to highlight?

Most people don't understand the reality of how diverse the human trafficking industry is. I love how Dressember works in so many different ways through advocacy, prevention, intervention, and survivor empowerment. I just think that's so huge and so amazing!

What do you wish people knew about human trafficking that you suspect most people don't know?

Every human trafficking scenario is different. Yes, there are brothels and such which are horrendous, awful things. Yet also, human trafficking doesn't always involve physical constraints or sex trafficking. There are so many different types and every single one makes me so sad, especially with the knowledge that many people would rather remain ignorant than try to stop it.

In your own words, how does wearing a dress every day for a month make a difference?

It feels amazing knowing that I, an American high school sophomore, can change lives worldwide. Through the generosity of others and the wonderful Dressember program, I can give someone FREEDOM. That never ceases to amaze me.

What do you want people to know about your specific fundraising team and goal?

Last year, I raised about $950. This year, I'm trying to raise $1,000. I really believe we can get there!

What else do you want to make sure people know about the Dressember cause?

No donation amount is too small. Seriously. And it doesn't matter whose page you give to, you're still changing lives!

Tell us a little bit about creativity, mental health, and/or the way that they intersect in your own life (outside of Dressember stuff) ...

I have a small business called Art for Hope where I sell handmade jewelry (and art) for a charity called the Hope Venture. They work with local partners to bring hope and dignity to the most disadvantaged people in the world.

What's another random thing we might be interested to know about you?

I'm 15 and I love fantasy books and musical theatre.

Contribute directly to Naomi’s Dressember fundraiser here.