Summary of Human Trafficking Efforts: September - December 2015
December 30, 2015
THe following is a summary of the efforts undertaken to address Human Trafficking between September and December 2015
1. Continuing to implement the goals of our Catholic Health Initiatives Violence Prevention Grant ($57,740) focused on human trafficking; including required conference calls.
2. Working with the Tri-State Coalition (Women religious communities) in Dubuque, Iowa to determine next steps following their very successful display on human trafficking at a downtown center.
3. Collaborating with Cabrini Clinic in Detroit, Michigan to design and implement a training program for their staff and volunteers. Will be one of the presenters in January and again in April.
4. Collaborating with Mercy (medical center) in Joplin, Missouri to design and implement an educational forum for medical professionals, volunteers and staff. Will be among the presenters when it is held in March.
5. Participating in radio interview series on the Sisters of Mercy Critical Concerns, supported by a Sister of Mercy West Midwest Ministry Grant, based at St. Xavier University in Chicago.
6. Participating in the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence event at the Missouri State Capitol (to help educate state legislators, staff, volunteers and the public.
7. Participated in two legislative advocacy days in Washington, DC at the U.S. Congressional Offices; continuing to build relationships with our elected legislators. One was sponsored by NETWORK, a catholic social justice lobby begun in 1971 by women religious in the U.S. The other advocacy day was part of our U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking annual meeting
8. Participating as a core member of the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (USCSAHT); attended the annual meeting in Washington, DC.
9. Facilitating the USCSAHT Educational Resources working group; we meet by conference call and email.
10. Participating as a member of the USCSAHT Legislative Advocacy working group; we also meet by conference call ad email. Am following specific pieces of federal legislation and advocating for its passage.
11. Contributing information and materials to the USCSAHT website at http://sistersagainsttrafficking.org.
12. Beginning to rebuild relationship with Diocesan Human Rights Office following resignation of previous bishop who made collaboration difficult. Meeting with staff person and have just contributed an article on St. Josephine Bahkita for their newsletter. Grateful for new bishop who supports social justice efforts and advocacy.
13. Continuing to participate in various human trafficking-related web-ex meetings and other conference calls.
14. Continuing to send information and materials to persons requesting it or who have been referred to me for it.
15. Continuing to send information and materials to my human trafficking e-list which now numbers 258 people from diverse backgrounds and various areas of the U.S.
16. Collaborating with West Midwest Sisters and associates who are members of coalitions in their local areas; e.g., Northern California; Dubuque, Iowa; Omaha, NE; Anamosa and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Detroit, Michigan; Joplin, Missouri; Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
-Jeanne Christensen, RSM
Kansas City, MO USA
