About Strike Out Slavery
Albert and Deidre Pujols created Strike Out Slavery in 2017 after learning that modern-day slavery is the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world, generating $150 billion USD annually. The Pujolses knew that if Major League Baseball teams, players and fans joined them, Strike Out Slavery could spread awareness about modern-day slavery and help a global network of nonprofit organizations rally against it.
The inaugural Strike Out Slavery event was held at Angel Stadium in September 2017, where more than 40,000 attendees learned about the issue. Two years later, Strike Out Slavery continues to expand as other players take a stand against slavery, enabling the message that ‘enough is enough’ to reach legions of baseball fans across the nation, even the world.
Deidre Pujols is a driven philanthropist and dedicated entrepreneur with a passion for giving a voice to the voiceless and advocating for those in need. The United Nations Women for Peace Association (UNWFPA) recognized Albert and Deidre Pujols with the Humanitarian Award in February 2019 for their efforts to combat human trafficking.
Albert Pujols is a professional first baseman and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Angels. An accomplished athlete, he is ranked in the top 10 players in Major League history. Albert and his wife are passionate about giving back and established the Pujols Family Foundation in 2005.
“Our goal is to have a Strike Out Slavery game in all 30 stadiums in the country.” -Albert Pujols, Player Ambassador, Los Angeles Angels
Global Partners
27 Million offers support and training to organizations on the frontlines of fighting modern slavery. They create projects and opportunities for everyone to make stand in solidarity with victims.
A21 reaches victims through identification, seeks justice against captors and equips survivors to live independently with access to housing, medical treatment, counseling, employment and more.
AIM is doing whatever it takes to end the evil of child trafficking by rescuing, healing, and empowering survivors of trafficking to be free.
Exodus Cry fights sexual exploitation and the sex industry by shifting culture, advocating for laws that defend those who are exploited and engaging with those who are bound in sexual exploitation.
FREE International exists to find, restore, embrace and empower those trapped by human trafficking and equip survivors to rebuild their lives.
Vanguard University’s Global Center for Women and Justice is an academic center committed to providing education and resources on women’s issues globally. Their student mobilization program, Live2Free, supports and trains college students to raise awareness in communities about human trafficking.
IJM fights modern slavery by working with local police to rescue victims and restrain criminals, social workers to restore the survivors to their communities and public prosecution to represent survivors in court.
International Sanctuary empowers those rescued from trafficking by offering medical and dental care, education, counseling, micro-loans, scholarships, employment and more.
The mission of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is to serve as a resource center for law enforcement, families and the public to help find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation and prevent child victimization.
Open Gate International provides access to vocational training, mentoring and employment for survivors of modern slavery.
Polaris is leading the fight to eradicate modern slavery with a three-part model that systemically disrupts human trafficking. The organization also operates a national and global hotline to connect survivors to critical support.
USIAHT finds new and innovative ways to combat the demand for purchased sex, raise awareness to this nationwide epidemic, and provide safe environments for victims, focusing their efforts in the United States.
Vision Rescue focuses on prevention programs that fight against child exploitation in India through awareness, education, healthcare, counseling, and training.
“Most people don’t know that there are actually more people in slavery today than at any other time in human history.” – Gary Haugen, CEO of International Justice Mission
Our Player Ambassadors
“I am proud to be representing the Angels in our third year of this initiative. I have seen Angels fans get behind Strike Out Slavery and I know that as more players and teams support this cause, we’ll be able expand our reach even further as we rally baseball fans to fight against the worldwide issue of modern-day slavery.”
“I grew up in the Atlanta area and learned about the realities of human trafficking. It’s a very real and scary issue. Since coming to the Royals, I’ve come to love Kansas City but also know that trafficking goes on here, too. As it does everywhere. I’m so very proud to be a part of an organization that wants to shed a light on this issue and the work of Strike Out Slavery.”
“When I founded my own foundation, RC24 Foundation, serving disadvantaged youth in my home of the Dominican Republic, I saw firsthand the impact we can make when we gather around a cause. Bringing Strike Out Slavery to Mets fans will undeniably shed light on the issue of modern-day slavery.”
“When my wife and I got involved with the International Justice Mission in 2015, I learned that human trafficking is an underreported and misunderstood social justice issue that affects my community, and I’m proud to join my friends Albert and Deidre and Nationals fans in learning how to address modern-day slavery and recognizing courageous survivor ambassadors for telling their stories.“
1% of victims are ever rescued.
About Our Survivor Advocates
Rachel Thomas
“I want people to know, on a deep and core level, that human trafficking strips not only the individual of his or her identity, dreams and life, but it hurts us all by missing out on what this person’s true potential could have and should have been. When anyone is reduced from a person to a product, we all lose. We are all connected and we can all be part of the solution to the human trafficking epidemic.”
Harmony Dust Grillo, MSW
“I want people to know that trafficking and the adult entertainment industry are inextricably connected. 70%1 of female trafficking victims are trafficked into the commercial sex industry. That means they are working in porn, strip clubs, escorting, massage parlors, street prostitution and any other place where the sex industry operates. I want people to know the truth. I want people to be moved—not to shame—but to compassion and to action. We cannot fix what we do not face.”
Monique Calderon
“Human Trafficking exploits the vulnerabilities of those in need. There is no such thing as a second-class human being! What survivors need is empowerment, because empowerment fuels movements and movements cause change and change brings new perspective.”
Lester Ramos
“I want people to know that labor trafficking (a type of human trafficking) is a serious and widespread problem. Labor trafficking occurs when corrupt employment agencies and employers conspire to exploit workers who have experienced mental and physical hardships. I urge all who can get involved to save victims from trauma and exploitation, and help them get the justice they deserve.”
1 U.S. Department of Justice