Goya Cares combats child trafficking through Sound of Freedom film
Goya Cares takes on the global child trafficking epidemic in their role as executive producer for Sound of Freedom — a new movie from Angel Studios released in theaters on July 4, 2023.
Founded by Goya Foods President and CEO Bob Unanue, Goya Cares “is dedicated to combating child trafficking and educating on child mental health awareness.”
Unanue reflects on the mission of Goya Cares:
It has been a spiritual calling that led us to this point with the hopes to not just shed light but put an end to this horrific evil… In the words of Saint Mother Teresa, ‘We must bring the child back to the center of our care and concern.’
Sound of Freedom is based on the life story of Tim Ballard, a former special agent for the Department of Homeland Security who founded “Operation Underground Railroad” (OUR), an organization that rescues children from sex trafficking rings. He is also a Goya Cares Coalition Partner.
Ballard comments:
We are honored to have the support of Goya Foods for this critically important film with its life-changing message about the horrors of child trafficking and slavery. Every year, 2 million children are trafficked around the world, and it is our duty to do all we can to raise the alarm, step in, and do something to end it. Goya's support of SOUND OF FREEDOM stands out as an example of what successful companies should be doing to make a better world with their giving. In partnering with Goya, we are committed to pursuing justice until we ensure that our children remain safe and protected at home with their families where they belong.
The movie is based on a real rescue that OUR Rescue performed in October 2014. OUR Rescue President and COO Matt Osborne explains in an interview with Fox News Digital:
What you see in the movie ‘Sound of Freedom,’ that was based on a real-life operation called ‘Triple Take,' … In October of 2014, in three cities in Colombia, in a one-hour time period, we helped Colombian authorities and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rescue 123 trafficking victims – 55 of those were minors.
Sound of Freedom made monumental waves on its opening day, becoming this year's top grossing July 4th movie at over $14 million. Fox News observes that "the film has reportedly earned nearly all of its budget back on its opening day."
In a unique initiative, moviegoers can also “pay it forward” by purchasing tickets for those who can't afford them and who might not otherwise see this critical film.
The immediate, intense attention Sound of Freedom gained in the theaters indicates that this story has touched the hearts of the masses, connecting with the deeply-felt mission of Goya Cares. Unanue expresses:
At the center of Goya Cares is a heart, and our heart reaches out to these victims of child trafficking and children who are suffering from mental illness so that they may have hope to live in a world where their life is valued, their freedom is a reality and their mind is at peace. They need to be reminded that they are precious gifts from God.
