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SURVIVOR SUPPORT GROUP:
Chains Interrupted has started a survivor-led Support Group for female survivors of labor and/or sex trafficking! We meet at the Living Room (1214 2nd Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids – behind Casey’s on 1 st Ave) on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm. Questions? Email Teresa at chainsinterrupted@gmail.com .
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:
FOSTA/SESTA (Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act / Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act) was signed into law in April 2018. The law made it illegal to knowingly assist sex trafficking (forcing websites facilitating sex trafficking to shut down). When survivor Kristina Glackin read that the bill had passed into law, she had to see for herself, so she checked the Personals page of Craigslist.com. She saw it had been taken down, and she recalls “in that moment I started crying because this was used to exploit me.” She feels “this is a huge victory because people are finally taking notice, the government is doing something about sex trafficking.”
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INTERNATIONAL WORK:
Teresa led a Mission Team of 10 people to Guatemala in March. Through partnerships with IMPACTO Ministries ( www.impactoministry.com ), Protect Me Project ( www.protectmeproject.org ), Christian Life Church ( www.clccedarrpids.com ) and Chains Interrupted, they:
● Hosted a Teen Leadership Conference, training teen leaders on several anti-Human Traf icking presentations to take back to their villages to train children and teens
● Trained multiple groups on how to prevent sexual abuse in children 2-8 years old
● Presented an anti-Human Traf icking presentation for youth to multiple classes in several schools
● Teresa was asked to return to Guatemala to speak at the annual Pastor’s Congress in October, and a Youth Conference in November
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CEDAR RAPIDS AREA ANIT-HUMAN TRAFFICKING COALITION:
The Coalition has been expanded to include trusted community volunteers. These quarterly meetings provide education on a topic on Human Trafficking, international networking, updates on local, state and national happenings, and calls to action members can do to truly make a difference.
Next Coalition Meeting:
● Tuesday, May 15 th from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
● Speakers: Karen Siler from Friends of the Family and Kellie Markey from Dorothy’s House (both updating us on cases they have worked with and services they provide)
● Christ Church Presbyterian (2000 1 st Ave NW, CR)
● Lunch (spaghetti pie) will be provided!
● RSVP by May 11 to chainsinterrupted@gmail.com
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VOLUNTEER!
Want to help Fight human trafficking? We’re looking for people to train hotel/motel staff, write grants, help with fundraising, and web design. Contact Linda, our Volunteer Coordinator at 319-130-7387 or chainsinterruptedvolunteers@gmail.com . No time to volunteer? Help us fight human trafficking by easily donating to the cause at www.chainsinterrupted.com or P.O. Box 583 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406.
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SCHOOL PROJECT:
“There really needs to be programs in schools to educate youth that this is a real thing happening in America, and that many times young teenagers are the target of traffickers. Had I known that, maybe I would have been better warned about the person I was talking to.”
--Holly Austin Smith, Survivor
Anyone, anywhere can be a victim of Human Trafficking, and schools provide the perfect opportunity for traffickers because they are populated with vulnerable victims. We must educate young people and raise awareness on the enticements traffickers use. Everyone who is part of the school community – administrators, teachers, bus drivers, maintenance personnel, food service staff, and other school community members – plays a vital role in creating a safe learning environment, which should involve learning signs of sex trafficking and how to respond. Chains Interrupted can help by raising awareness for staff and students. Chains Interrupted is seeking to connect with schools to allow our volunteers to speak to staff and students.
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STOP THE DEMAND:
If there wasn't a demand for pornography and commercial sex, there wouldn't be a need for Trafficking victims. Chains Interrupted offers support groups for men (women's support groups in the works) struggling with pornography. We also offer presentations on how pornography changes the brain, causing powerful addictions, and pornography's direct link to Human Trafficking.
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SAVE THE DATE:
How can your church get involved? To find out, come to Connection and Coffee with Chains Interrupted:
- Friday, June 8, 8am Fellowship, 9am Speakers, 11am extra time to talk with speakers
- Brief presentations on Guatemala work, Stop the Demand, and hear from a Survivor
- Learn how your church can get involved!
- Christ Church Presbyterian (2000 1st Ave NW, CR)
- RSVP by June 4 to raetochester@rocketmail.com.
SAVE THE DATE
Friday, October 12 is the very first Chains Interrupted Gala Fundraiser! Right now, we need your help.
We need auction items. Think big! Who do you know? Someone who owns a spa? Has airline miles to transfer? Jewelry store? Restaurant? Yep we'll take it all! Can't wait to see what you dream up!
Contact Tish (tishyoung@mchsi.com) or Rae (raerochester@rocketmail.com) with questions or to jump on the planning team.
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VOLUNTEER!
We had a very successful and informative volunteer meeting June 14, with 21 volunteers and 4 Chains Interrupted Board Members present. Agenda included discussions on the hotel/motel project, school project, fundraising, and events. We will continue to have meetings quarterly, with the next one on Thursday, September 13, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Mercy Medical Center.
Past events, made possible by our volunteers:
- Booth at the Linn County Fair
- Freedom Festival Parade
- McKinley Middle School booth
Upcoming events:
- The Ely Fall Fest on Sept 29th. We will have an information booth from 9 am - 4 pm.
We are looking for volunteers to host small fundraisers for Chains Interrupted. For example:
- Garage sale, craft sale, bake sale
- Cookies a month for a year
- Ice cream social
- Have a raffle (A quilt? What else can you make?)
- Birthday/Anniversary fundraiser on Facebook
- Stuff Etc.: Donate your items at Stuffs on the Chains Interrupted account and we get 50%.
Questions? Want to volunteer?
Email Linda, our Volunteer Coordinator at ChainsInterruptedVolunteers@gmail.com.
Upcoming Events:
- Tuesdays - Survivor Support Group
- Monday, September 6 - School Volunteer Training
- Thursday, September 13 - Volunteer Meeting
- Saturday, September 29 - Booth at Ely Fall Fest
- Saturday, October 6 - Rescue Run
- Friday, October 12 - Freedom Gala 2018
- Tuesday, October 23 - Coalition Meeting
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PREVENTION EDUCATION
Chains Interrupted has speakers available for many different groups and topics. We now post this online, as well as any fees associated with this service. Visit www.chainsinterrupted.com to schedule a speaker.
Research has shown the most effective prevention education is currently focused on hotel/motel staff, medical providers, and vulnerable youth.
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BIG NEWS!!:
Mercy Medical Center has become a pioneer in the state, by creating and hiring an “Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator” position! Teresa was hired for this position, and starts May 14th . This is the first of its kind in the state, with only three other similar positions in the nation (that we can ind)! Initial goals include greatly expanding education for medical personnel across the state, as well as fine-tuning our local hospitals’ policies and procedures surrounding Human Trafficking.
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MEDICAL PERSONNEL PROJECT:
This is expanding greatly due to Teresa’s new position at Mercy Medical Center. More details soon!
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HOTEL/MOTEL PROJECT:
Chains Interrupted has partnered with the INAHT and NE Coalition train hotel/motel staff in recognizing Human Trafficking... and what to do about it. We have now trained 7 hotels and approximately 75 staff members! Those hotels/motels (with 80% staff trained) and volunteers who have completed this training will be recognized at a PRESS CONFERENCE on May 29th. Hotels/motels will be given a framed certificate to hang in their loby, and their name will go on our website (if they wish) as an establishment who cares enough about the safety of its patrons to take a stand. If you have taken the volunteer training, please train the hotels/motels you signed up to train... prior to May 29th!
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