For more than half her life, multi-platinum-selling, Grammy nominated artist Jaci Velasquez has pursued an entertainer’s dream, recording albums in English and Spanish and performing on stages around the world, it states on her website.
And next week -- at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 -- the star will perform on stage at Cragun’s Sports Center at Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake. Velasquez is the entertainment for a concert and dinner benefit for the Freedom Ranch, a safe home for girls rescued form the slavery of sex trafficking. The Freedom Ranch is in Park Rapids, but a new ranch is under construction in Brainerd.
The event, sponsored by Rising Hope Foundation, begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour, with dinner being served at 6 p.m. A sex-trafficking survivor will tell her story at 6:30 p.m., and Velasquez will perform at 7 p.m. and again at 8:20 p.m. A video of the Freedom Ranch building progress will be at 6:50 p.m. and a presentation by the Rising Hope Foundation will be from 7:30-7:50 p.m.
Cost to attend is $40 per person and tickets can be ordered by phone at 800-965-9324 or online at www.itickets.com/events/434235 .
About Velasquez
Since her debut at age 16, Velasquez, who has sold almost five million albums around the world, has racked up 16 No. 1 hits, penned three books, acted in seven films, been on 50 magazine covers and launched a nonprofit clothing line, it stated on her website.
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Her most recent release “Trust” marks several firsts for Velasquez, a Dove Award winner and Billboard Latin Music Award winner with five Spanish albums to her credit. Not only is it her first album in over five years, her first worship album and her first project with Integrity Music, this 18th recording is the first released in both English and Spanish.
“Trust” features 10 anthems that sing of God’s faithfulness, a modern worship and pop hybrid sure to resonate with anyone caught up in the chaotic uncertainty of the everyday, the website stated.
Her albums include “Love Out Loud,” “Milagro,” “Beauty Has Grace” and “Diamond.”
According to Biographies website, Velasquez debut album “Heavenly Place” in 1996 included five No. 1 hits and the album was later certified Platinum.
She also won seven Dove awards, including New Artist of the Year and two Female Vocalist of the Year awards.
About The Freedom Ranch
The Freedom Ranch provides “shelter and healing, while igniting hope and restoration to those freed from the abuses of human trafficking.” The Rising Hope Foundation not only provides healing, but community awareness and education through marketing campaigns that will help end human trafficking in communities, it stated in an email release.
The Freedom Ranch in Brainerd is under construction and 48% of materials and labor to date have been donated. The ranch will provide long-term recovery care and mental health services for girls ages 12-17. The girls are given education and life skill training and equine therapy.
