L’ANZA has chosen to partner with four organizations dedicated to putting an end to human trafficking and providing support for survivors. As part of the L’ANZA Hair Cares 2021 initiative, L’ANZA will support Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), RISE Coalition, It’s a Penalty, and C.A.S.T. LA.

L’ANZA began the campaign with a Facebook Live with O.U.R. and a donation of $10,000 in support of Operation Underground Railroad efforts. At the same time, L’ANZA launched a Facebook Fundraiser Campaign with a goal of $20,000 that will be divided across the organizations. Throughout 2021, L’ANZA will raise funds and create awareness for this cause through regional cut-a-thons, run/walk events (trekking to end trafficking) and product donations for “go bags” and charity auctions.

CEO and Owner David Berglass says, “The more we learned about this disturbing enterprise, we knew we had to do something. This group of organizations is doing extraordinary work to identify these networks and help educate us.”

Statistics show that nearly 30 million people around the world are being trafficked for labor, sex,= and organ harvesting, with nearly 10 million being children, often living in plain sight. These organizations have created awareness-building tools to educate everyone on the signs of exploitation.

“Our industry touches people both physically and emotionally,” says Brandie Huether, Vice President of Sales. “The salon environment often makes hairstylists the first to recognize abuse. Getting more education could help us save lives.”

The four organizations supported through the initiative are:

• Operation Underground Railroad – O.U.R.'s Ops Team coordinates with regional law enforcement worldwide in trafficking identification and extraction efforts. Once rescued, O.U.R. helps survivors through a comprehensive process of rehabilitation and recovery.

• Rise Coalition – RISE works with organizations and agencies in the US to increase public awareness of human trafficking and to connect identified victims with comprehensive social and medical services. 

• It’s A Penalty – The awareness-raising campaigns created by It’s a Penalty harness the power of sport to prevent trafficking and exploitation on a global scale.

• C.A.S.T. LA – Based in Los Angeles, C.A.S.T. LA provides life-transforming services to trafficked survivors and a platform to shape groundbreaking anti-trafficking US policies.

For more information on our L’ANZA Hair Cares efforts visit lanza.com and donate to the fundraiser on Facebook.