Concordia’s Lighthouse Club raises money to fight human trafficking through “Dressember”

Concordia Nebraska’s Lighthouse Club is dedicated to being part of the solution to the problem of a nearly $250 billion industry: human trafficking. Though they hold various events throughout the year, during the month of December, they participate in the nationwide fundraising initiative known as “Dressember.”  

Male and female participants from across the globe can take part in Dressember, pledging to wear formal clothing each of the 31 days of the month. This year, over 20 Concordia students pledged to participate, with a group fundraising goal of $6,500. They ended up raising over $7,500.  

Concordia’s Lighthouse Club is an on-campus chapter of the International Justice Mission (IJM), a group dedicated to ending modern slavery. Senior Greta Corneliusen, Lighthouse president, said that the mission of the Lighthouse Club is to contribute to this cause while adding a Biblical perspective.  

“Our purpose is to bring awareness to important social and environmental issues affecting human rights and raise funds to help fight against these things on behalf of IJM in order to build a more just world where everyone can expect to be safe and protected,” she said. “We strive to educate ourselves on what Biblical advocacy looks like and use our talents and our voices to bring awareness and funds to help shut down the 246-billion-dollar industry that is happening all around us.”  

Dressember is much more than an awareness campaign; we’re a social movement rooted in the belief that all people deserve to be free!

International Justice Mission works around the world with governmental and non-governmental agencies to change laws permitting unethical labor practices and support victims of human trafficking.  

“IJM has been successful all over the world in their efforts,” Corneliusen said. “For example, they’ve seen a 78 percent reduction in child sex trafficking over the last 10 years of partnership in the Dominican Republic.”  

On Concordia’s campus, the Lighthouse Club mainly holds advocacy events and fundraisers that educate others on the importance of supporting sustainable and ethical business practices, as well as approaching human trafficking issues from a Biblical perspective. Dressember is one of their three main annual fundraising events, the other two being their February “Buy Flowers, Not Girls” sale, and “Threads,” a pop-up campus thrift store that is held in late spring.  

Clothing is a big deal when it comes to ending modern-day slavery and unethical labor practices. According to Corneliusen, “the fast fashion industry has taken over our clothing industries and is one of the biggest supporters of things like forced labor and child labor. We encourage everyone to look more into where their clothes are coming from, choosing sustainable clothing companies and buying secondhand whenever possible.”  

The significance of wearing formal clothing during Dressember is to bring attention to this portion of the human trafficking industry, serving as a conversation starter and a representation of the impact that labor practices have on the fashion that we come across every day.  

“The dress or tie serves as the conversation starter to educate your community about human trafficking,” Corneliusen said. “Let’s face it; it is one hundred percent easier and more comfortable, especially during finals week, to roll out of bed and put on sweatpants. Part of the challenge is to put thought and effort into your advocacy every day.”  

She went on to explain that Dressember is unique because each participant can make it their own; some challenge themselves to wear the same dress or tie every day, while others mix and match pieces each morning from their wardrobe. Some participants wear dresses or ties often in their everyday lives, while others don’t.  

“What may seem like a silly style challenge has collectively raised over 20 million dollars to fight human trafficking around the world,” she said. “When enough people use their voices to advocate for change, things begin to shift. Dressember is so much more than an awareness campaign; we’re a social movement rooted in the belief that all people deserve to be free!”  

Clubs and intramurals at Concordia University, Nebraska provide a place for students to pursue their interests and passions outside of the classroom. With over 35 different on- and off-campus organizations available, there are options for any student. Learn more about clubs and intramurals here.