Style & Steps to support Off the Streets program

Cincinnati Union Bethel is hosting its annual Style & Steps event on Thursday, Nov. 12 at the downtown Macy’s store.

The fashion show and shopping event is hosted in partnership with Macy’s to benefits Off the Streets, a residential program run by Cincinnati Union Bethel to help trafficked and prostituted women recover and find community integration.

“When people read about (human trafficking and prostitution), they don’t see the human side or the suffering these women have gone through,” says Cincinnati Union Bethel Marketing Communications Manager Tracy Megison. “We want everyone to try and understand what it means and to try to find ways to help.”

Off the Streets is entirely voluntary, and most of the women have partially been through the justice system but have decided to join the program on their own and can leave at any time. The average client stays for three to five months and goes through various classes, ranging from counseling in group sessions to financial and nutritional education.

The fundraising event will feature hors d'oeuvres and drinks with live jazz music by Billy Larkin. Two graduates of the program will speak about how Off the Streets helped them re-start their lives.

“We want people to educate themselves on what human trafficking and prostitution is,” Megison says. “It’s a serious problem and people need to be aware that it’s happening.”

Do Good:

• Register to attend Style & Steps at 6-10 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Macy’s entrance on the corner of Fifth and Race streets. Tickets are $45 and include a 20 percent discount on all shopping done during the event.

• Can’t attend the event? Donate to support Cincinnati Union Bethel’s mission.

• Educate yourself on human trafficking and prostitution in Cincinnati and find your own ways to help.