Caught Caring: Demi Moore, Pepsi and GEMS
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Proving that something good can come from something bad, Demi Moore has pledged $250,000 in grant money she won from the Pepsi Refresh Project to Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS). The non-profit organization — which assists women who have been sexually exploited — will use the funds to train ten former trafficking victims as outreach workers.
Calling the work of GEMS “nothing short of heroic,” Demi said she hopes that by empowering the women to re-enter their community from a position of strength they will go on to “refresh the lives of thousands of victimized girls.”
Their mission is one which is near and dear to Demi’s heart. In January, the 47-year-old actress and husband Ashton Kutcher launched The DNA Foundation, which is committed to shining a spotlight on sex slavery throughout the world and to bringing perpetrators to justice. In the United States alone, 300,000 children are believed to be enslaved, while GEMS estimates the average age of entry into the human trafficking system to be just 12 to 14-years-old.
 Brian Ach/Wireimage |
The Pepsi Refresh Project will ultimately award $20 million in grant money this year to thousands of organizations, businesses and individuals with ideas that will have a positive impact on their community. Pepsi will accept 1,000 submissions each month, in six categories including Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education. There are no restrictions on who may apply, and each day you may vote for up to 10 ideas — including your own.
Demi is mom to Rumer Glenn, 21, Scout LaRue, 18, and Tallulah Belle, 16, with ex-husband Bruce Willis.
