Capital City Ball kicks off first pre-party at Mie N Yu

Torrential downpour be dammed. About 70 philanthropic individuals braved the weather - some in cocktail attire - and hiked up to the second floor of Mie N Yu for the first of three pre-parties leading up to the Capital City Ball.



Each room is decorated with a continent from Marco Polo's travels in mind. Long-white swaths of cloth hang from the sky-blue walls conjuring up a sunnier image than the sight outdoors. The energy and dedication toward raising awareness and money to fight human trafficking match the decor.


The Capital City Ball, which will take place the Saturday before thanksgiving, November 20, sponsors three anti-trafficking organizations: Courtney's House, Polaris Project, and FAIR Fund.

Andrea Powell, co-founder and executive director of FAIR Fund, works full-time for the nonprofit. Her job entails working to prevent the human trafficking of youth worldwide. "Seeing a girl go from a hotel room to becoming a GW student," is a worthwhile endeavor, says Powell.

Nestled in the corner is a rectangular table covered in purple velvet fabric. Small price tags hang from baubles of various sizes and colors scattered across the tabletop.



Each ring, necklace and bracelet was crafted by a member of JewelGirls, an economic empowerment and art-therapy program that gives 200 teen girls and young women a chance at a life free from violence.

A hum of continuous chatter fills the room as cocktails clink together in cheers. Ariel McMillan, a summer intern for FAIR Fund and a rising sophomore at American University, sits quietly behind the jewelry table. She says it "never crossed my mind that there were girls being trafficked." McMillan adds, "Girls need to be treated like victims, not criminals."



Their goal is to get people to be "as passionate about the issue as we are," says McMillan. The room is packed with clusters of woman and several men mingling about. McMillan says that once someone learns about their organization, they tell their friends and their support base grows.


Most of the attendees, she says, found out by word-of-mouth. Kate Marie Grinold, formerly Miss D.C. of 2008, is now the director of development for FAIR Fund.

The next Capital City Ball pre-party happens on September 16 at Policy in the U Street neighborhood (1904 14th Street Northwest) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Laura Simmons, a Capital City Ball volunteer, says to expect even more people for the September and October happy-hour parties because "everyone leaves D.C. in August."