Partnership To End Human Trafficking Opens Gift Shop In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — The nonprofit Partnership to End Human Trafficking recently opened a new gift shop in downtown Fairfield, and the group held a ribbon-cutting event Tuesday evening to celebrate.

Located at 1630 Post Road, the new shop, which moved from Bridgeport to Fairfield, sells jewelry and apparel; pet supplies; candles; home goods and art.

Proceeds go toward helping the group in its mission of helping "survivors of human trafficking by addressing their housing, employment, and educational needs," according to the organization.

Organization founder and board Chair Elizabeth Koldyke Boolbol told a standing-room-only crowd in the store Tuesday that she started PEHT in 2016 "to address the rising crime of human trafficking, particularly sex trafficking."

"And not just overseas or towns far, far away, but right here in Fairfield County," Boolbol said. "It's happened in Greenwich, it's happened in Westport, it's happened in Fairfield, it's happened in Stamford, it's happened to our kids, it's happened to our teenagers and adults. It can happen to everyone, and it needs to stop."

In addition to opening the shop to help raise funds for the group, it also helps to spread awareness about the human trafficking problem.

PEHT has two safe homes in the state, where survivors can stay for two years to help heal and transition from their ordeal to productive lives.

The group's mantra is "Educate, Embrace and Empower," in which there is the training and awareness component for various organizations and law enforcement, the residential component, and the store, which provides employment and a creative outlet for survivors.

"Pets are about unconditional love, and that's what PEHT is all about, too," Boolbol said.

Tuesday's event was attended by Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber; Community & Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart; state Rep. Jennifer Leeper; state Sen. Tony Hwang and other officials, donors, staff and survivors.

Additionally, Sarah Lopez, from U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy's office also presented PEHT with a proclamation in honor of the group.

"Your organization's dedication to the wellbeing of your residents across the state is exemplified by your ability to offer both housing and employment services to survivors in need, setting a positive example for those to follow," Lopez said, reading from the proclamation.

"This is beautiful," Gerber said of the shop. "It's warm and welcoming, and I think our commercial area just grew a heart," in reference to PEHT's heart logo.

The Partnership to End Human Trafficking Shop, at 1630 Post Road in Fairfield, is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.