Survivor benefit dinner to raise funds for local anti-trafficking nonprofit ANEW

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) -A local nonprofit supporting people impacted by sex trafficking and sexual exploitation is hosting a charitable dinner tonight to raise money for its work in North Central Florida.

The “Survivor Benefit Dinner” will be held at 6 p.m. at the Santa Fe College Blount Center in Gainesville. Organizers said 100% of proceeds will go directly to ANEW to support current programs and future projects.

ANEW focuses on four areas: youth prevention, outreach, survivor restoration, and community awareness. The nonprofit also provides safe residential housing and non-residential programming for survivors.

“We are expecting that some of the speakers will be sharing stories that they have personally experienced because of their involvement with ANEW and support of ANEW,” said Alison Ungaro, founder and executive director. “And I always feel like those stories are the most impactful… really sharing with our community why what we’re doing is so important.”

Speakers include ANEW team members as well as a local FBI consultant. Leaders said they hope the event will help sustain existing services while also creating opportunities to expand.

Ungaro said ANEW was recently donated 14 acres of land to grow its residential programs and develop a space where survivors can learn skills such as product production, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

The dinner is capped at 110 spots, but tickets were still available as of this afternoon.

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