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Primary goals are education, awareness building and legislative advocacy.
Collaboration with:
• Sisters of Mercy engaged in human trafficking efforts and the coalition in which they participate
• An Omaha-based company designed and produced the banners six vinyl display banners produced for their use. and our brochure.
• U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking as a member of the board and the advocacy and education resources working groups
• The Coalition against Human Trafficking sponsored by the Western Missouri U.S. District Attorney’s Office
 Major accomplishment was participation in the April 2017 National Catholic Education Association’s Annual Conference (NCEA) in St. Louis, Missouri. Participated as board member of USCSAHT in an exhibit and panel presentation, “What Educators Need to Know about Human Trafficking,”. There were 150 at the panel presentation and several hundred visited our exhibit. There were over 7,000 attendees at the conference. We were representing the U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking.
Presentations made to approximately:
• 300 students and faculty at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• 50 students and faculty at The College of St. Mary in Omaha, Nebraska
• 325 students, faculty and sister-mentors at Mercy High School, Omaha, Nebraska
• 350 students at Mother McAuley High School in Chicago, Illinois
• 125 persons, including some sisters, students and faculty as part of a public lecture series at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois
• 8 Sister of Mercy novices and their community members in Frontenac, Missouri
• 130 Mercy Center campus staff (all shifts), sisters, sister-residents, employees and the public at Mercy Center in Frontenac, Missouri
• 50 senior adults at an Adventures in Learning group in Kansas City, Missouri
• 45 Hillcrest Ministries volunteers in Platte City, Missouri
• 70 parishioners at a local Catholic parish which resulted in a letter writing campaign to state senators.
Legislative Advocacy
• Participated in a day-long event at the Missouri State Capitol targeting legislators and/or their staff; was an excellent networking event for those of us engaged in human trafficking ministry across the State; had excellent participation from legislators, including one who posted photo and information on his Facebook page.
• Continue to participate in the USCSAHT’s legislative advocacy group, tracking Federal legislation; have found new website to assist in tracking state legislation.
• Frustrated by the lack of human trafficking bills and legislation at the state and federal levels
Networking – Connected:
• A survivor living in Kansas City with Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri who did a presentation and has a second one scheduled
• The College of Saint Mary, Omaha, presentation request to sisters engaged with the Coalition on Human Trafficking, Omaha and
• A parish in Wisconsin with local coalition active there.
• Continue relationship with staff person from Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocesan Human Rights Office; has resulted in having a link on their website.
Networking – Connected:
• A survivor living in Kansas City with Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri who did a presentation and has a second one scheduled
• The College of Saint Mary, Omaha, presentation request to sisters engaged with the Coalition on Human Trafficking, Omaha and
• A parish in Wisconsin with local coalition active there.
• Continue relationship with staff person from Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocesan Human Rights Office; has resulted in having a link on their website.
Other
The Northern California Coalition against Human Trafficking, which a Sister of Mercy coordinates, remains actively engaged, particularly in educating hotel staff and management. They also are working on getting human trafficking posters in key locations. A similar law is being considered in Missouri, and one which we are advocating.
As part of California Dignity Health, two safe houses have been established in northern California. Two Sisters of Mercy are actively involved.
The Tri-State Coalition against Human Trafficking in Dubuque has been participating in presentations to many groups, in particular, parish presentations. They have good civic community relationships which allow them to sponsor public displays about human trafficking.
The Omaha coalition recently held a prayer service for the national month of awareness at a local parish with city-wide invitation and are active in the Nebraska Task Force on Human Trafficking.
Sister of Mercy in Detroit is a member of two State task forces which address human trafficking. She also planned and coordinated a day-long educational session for Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Associates. She participated in a seminar at a health care facility in Lavonia, MI.
-Jeanne Christensen rsm
6 May 2017
Image L-r: Therese Randolph and Jeanne Christensen at NCEA Conference
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