Human Trafficking Forum at Willow Creek

Join us for our monthly Human Trafficking Forum

 

Guest Speaker:  Rachel Durchslag with Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE)

 

Topic:  Deconstructing the Demand for Prostitution:  Investigating Root Causes and How Faith Communities

Can Help

 

When:  Wednesday, April 18th, 7:45 p.m.

Where:  Room F392, Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL

Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation has a preventative mission to stop demand in human trafficking and sexual exploitation.  Learn about the simple ways you can make a difference.

About our Guest Speaker...

Rachel Durchslag has been working in the social justice community since 2000.  in June of 2006, she founded Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE), an organization that works to eliminate sexual exploitation through litigation and advocacy, organizing and policy reform, and prevention and resource development.

RUN, BECAUSE THEY CAN’T.

What if you couldn’t run, not even if your life depended on it?  Running from human trafficking is not as simple as it seems –

mental manipulation, physical bondage and threats keep Chicago victims from finding freedom.

Victims may not be able to run, but you can.  By joining Traffick Free in the Freedom Run 5k, you are telling Chicago that human trafficking is not acceptable in our city. You are contributing to efforts to help free the supply and end the demand. You can do something about human trafficking. Join the Freedom Run 5k on 9.10.11. A few hours of your day will make a citywide impact.

SIGN UP NOW AT WWW.TRAFFICKFREE.ORG/5K

Stop Traffick. Start Running.

Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011

7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Diversey Harbor, Chicago, IL

$25 registration

$35 with t-shirt

Group discounts available

International Justice Mission Benefit in Chicago

CHICAGO BENEFIT DINNER

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Reception at 6:30 pm

Dinner and Program at 7 pm

Chicago Marriott Downtown

$100 per person

Business or Cocktail Attire

RSVP by October 11, 2011

www.ijm.org/benefits

BECOME A JUSTICE CHAMPION

* Host a table: Purchase 10 tickets
* Recruit a table: Fill 10 seats
* Sponsor the event: Multiple sponsorship levels available

For more information, contact IJM: events@ijm.org or 703.740.9923

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Featured Speaker: Gary A. Haugen, IJM President and CEO

Haugen, a graduate of Harvard University and the University of Chicago Law School, leads IJM’s global casework and groundbreaking structural transformation of public justice systems worldwide. Before founding IJM, he worked in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and served as Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations’ genocide investigation in Rwanda.

Mila's Story

At the age of 12, Mila+ was trafficked into prostitution in a Manila bar. Today, she is thriving in a safe and loving aftercare home. At the benefit, hear how IJM was able to rescue her, and other stories of freedom made possible by people like you.

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Host Committee

Chairpersons

Elizabeth and Eric Ha

Bonnie and Jay Knobloch

Mark Johnson

Teresa Nortillo

Cora Passis

Jennifer and Jim Quigley

Carole Wineman

Tiffany and Jason Wright

Illinois Town Hall Meeting to Combat Human Trafficking

Sponsored by International Justice Mission

Join IJM inChicago on September 19 to stand up for victims of modern-day slavery – and show your elected policymakers that Illinois is passionate about fighting trafficking at home and abroad.

Featured Speakers:

•U.S. Congressman Peter Roskam, Illinois District 6


•Holly Burkhalter, International Justice Mission


•Lynne Hybels, Willow Creek Community Church



Invited Speakers:

•Senator Dick Durbin, United States Senate


•Senator Mark Steven Kirk , United States Senate

Event Details

September 19, 2011

7:00 p.m.

Park Community Church

1001 N Crosby

Chicago, IL 60610

Event Co-Sponsors include: TraffickFree, PROMISE, STOP-IT, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE), the Dreamcatcher Foundation.


If you have any questions about the event, feel free to visit http://www.ijm.org/illinois-town-hall.
If you would like to carpool together from Chicago's western suburbs, contact Dina at vcministry127@gmail.com.

Global Prayer Gathering

The International Justice Mission (IJM) invites you to join them at their Global Prayer Gathering, April 8-10, 2011 in the Washington, D.C., area. During this weekend of prayer, they will praise our Maker for all that he has done in the places where IJM serves, and they will ask for his continued help in bringing rescue and restoration to those who are still being oppressed.

Throughout the weekend, IJM staff from around the world will share about ways they have seen God show up in their casework this year, as well as the urgent challenges in their field offices and cities. We will meet several survivors, will spend time praying together as a global body and will be led in musical worship.

They would be delighted if you would join with them in celebration of God’s faithfulness and in prayer for God’s continued provision. Your prayers are absolutely vital to this work of justice.

For more information, please visit www.IJM.org/gpg. Last year’s GPG registration reached capacity quickly; the event developed a long wait list and, unfortunately, we were not able to accommodate everyone on it. To ensure you are able to attend, please secure your spot today.

Save the Date: Chicago IJM Benefit

Chicago Benefit Dinner
Saturday, September 25, 2010


Reception at 6:30 p.m.
Dinner served at 7 p.m.
Chicago Marriott Downtown — Grand Ballroom

$100 per person (tax-deductible portion $25)*

Business or Cocktail Attire

Learn more and RSVP: IJM.org/benefits


For more information about hosting a table and inviting friends and colleagues, contact us at events@ijm.org or 703.740.9923


Featured Speaker
Sharon Cohn Wu, IJM Senior Vice President
of Justice Operations

Ms. Wu, a graduate of Harvard Law School, represented clients in litigation and international trade matters before serving as a human rights lawyer with IJM. Ms. Wu oversees IJM’s field operations worldwide and regularly briefs government officials in the U.S. and abroad on various human rights issues.

Live Performance
Lamont Hiebert
Singer/Songwriter

Lamont is a close and longtime friend of IJM whose commitment to the work of justice is evident both on and off the stage. Lamont has received a Dove Award nomination and his song “Ocean” was a number one radio hit. Lamont also cofounded Love146 to help prevent child trafficking and to provide aftercare for survivors, some of whom are IJM clients.

For more information regarding the work of IJM, please visit their web site at www.ijm.org.

Human Rights Advocate Somaly Mam to Speak at DePaul University

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY’S SCHOOL FOR NEW LEARNING

presents

SOMALY MAM

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2010

Breakfast 8:30 A.M.

Program 9:30–11:00 A.M

DePaul University

Cortelyou Commons
2324 N. Fremont Street
Chicago, IL 60614

Please join us in a rare conversation with Somaly Mam,
a remarkable human rights advocate from Cambodia whose
courageous battle against global sexual slavery and for
universal rights for women continue to inspire and
touch so many lives.

Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2009,
Mam’s tireless efforts to end human trafficking have been
supported by the United Nations, praised by the State Department
and earned her the first Roland Berger Human Dignity Award in 2008.

Mam has also been selected as the 2010 Honorary Degree Recipient for
DePaul University’s School for New Learning. To view Mam’s full bio,
see the Somaly Mam Foundation website at: http://www.somaly.org/.


Limited seating so RSVP required at snlevents@depaul.edu by June 9, 2010. Contact Shannon Stone-Winding at snlevents@depaul.edu or 312.362.6367 for more info.

Directions to Cortelyou Commons can be found at http://www.depaul.edu/maps/lpc/cortelyou.asp.

Discounted parking for this event is available at the Sheffield Parking Garage at 2335 N.
Sheffield Avenue and at the Clifton Parking Deck at 2330 N. Clifton Avenue.

If you are interested in attending with others from our group, please contact Lynn Herzog at
douglynnh@sbcglobal.net

Advocacy Opportunity

I invite you to participate in the following advoacy opportunity from the International Justice Mission (IJM) .

In the last month, 10,000 IJM supporters have joined us in calling on President Obama to protect vulnerable children and families from trafficking and exploitation, in Haiti and around the world. This outpouring of support inspired us at IJM to set a goal of doubling that number by the end of this month. 20,000 signatures will send a powerful message to this Administration that Americans care deeply about the fight against slavery, at home and abroad.

The President is setting his agenda and now is the moment to act. Please take just 30 seconds to click the link below to help make our message 20,000 strong by adding your name today!

https://secure3.convio.net/ijm/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=121

With deep gratitude for your support,
Eileen Campbell
Director of Justice Campaigns
International Justice Mission

"Outreach Day" Advocacy Opportunity

We have a unique opportunity to join hundreds of volunteers across Illinois to hang posters and distribute brochures detailing information on how to help victims of trafficking and advertising the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline. Join us for "Outreach Day" sponsored by "Illinois Rescue & Restore" (www.dhs.state.il.us/rescueandrestore), on Saturday, April 24th (time & location TBA).

We are hoping to form one or more teams to hang posters at local businesses. The number of responses from all of you will determine the number of communities we can cover. If you are interested in being a part of this hands-on advocacy opportunity, or to get more information, please contact Lynn Herzog at douglynnh@sbcglobal.net. Lynn will be organizing this event for our team .

If you are outside the Chicagoland area and would like to form a team in your community, please contact Rachael Burke at dhs.ilrescueandrestore@illinois.gov or 312-793-7342 to sign up and for more information.

Durbin and Alvarez Speak Out Against Child Prostitution and Sex Trafficking

CAASE commends U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez for their strong statements in support

of child victims of prostitution and sex trafficking.




The Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation urges the passage of "The Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2009."

On February 24, 2010, Senator Durbin hosted a hearing in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law titled, "In Our Own Backyard: Child Prostitution and Sex Trafficking in the United State." Senator Durbin stated in his opening remarks, "We have created a legal dichotomy in America in which the federal government views prostituted children as victims, yet most states treat them as criminals. If state laws treated child prostitution more like human trafficking, then state social service agencies would play a more important role in helping this vulnerable population."

In her testimony, Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez stated, "When it comes to prosecuting child prostitution, my office, in practice, does not charge juveniles who are arrested on prostitution-related chargers. We understand this child is not a criminal but rather a victim who needs support, services and a safe future."

We also appreciate the State's Attorney's work towards creating a system where traffickers of children can be held accountable and focusing on demand. "Equally as important, my human trafficking team is building direct coalitions with social service providers and other NGO's, thus enabling such groups to assist police during HT takedowns and share their investigative leads with law enforcement... this networking plan has cast a wide net, including simple things, such as attending breakfast meetings, to participation in more formal events, such as the launch of the End Demand Campaign of the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation.," said State Attorney Alvarez.

We commend Senator Durbin and State's Attorney Alvarez for these poignant words and look forward to working with them to ensure that child victims of sex trafficking receive the support that they need.



· Please TAKE ACTION to support federal legislation that will increase resources for child victims of sex trafficking. Go to:

http://actioncenter.polarisproject.org/component/content/article/35-action/827-wyden-bill.



· To hear the hearing in its entirety and to download copies of their statements, please click here http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=4389

Below is a message from the International Justice Mission (IJM) as well as an advocacy opportunity addressing the human trafficking issue. I encourage you to sign the petition and pray for the work of IJM.

"...Our destiny is connected to those beyond our shores."
— President Barack ObamaState of the Union Address, January 27, 2010

Tonight, we're asking all IJM supporters to invest a few minutes to ensure the U.S. government makes the fight against human trafficking a priority.

As you watched President Obama’s first State of the Union address tonight, no doubt you had many concerns on your mind and likely Haiti was among them.

Breakdown of rule of law across the country in the wake of the January 12 earthquake has left many Haitians, particularly the tens of thousands of children orphaned in the disaster, vulnerable to violent human rights abuses, including human trafficking. I hope you’ll take just a few minutes of your time to join IJM in asking the President to address the critical needs of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

On Inauguration Day 2009, many of you answered the call to sign a letter to President Obama, asking him to make the eradication of slavery and trafficking a hallmark of his presidency. Since that time, President Obama has appointed committed diplomats and made a powerful statement by declaring January National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

Tonight, I’d like to ask you once again to join IJM in calling on President Obama to protect children from trafficking and exploitation, in Haiti and around the world.

IJM has demonstrated in slavery-burdened countries like Cambodia and the Philippines that when local governments have the necessary political will, financial resources and training, it is possible to rescue and protect victims and put the criminals who prey on them behind bars. We need your help to ensure that the Obama Administration continues to provide the resources and diplomatic support to help foreign governments make more victories like these possible.

Rebuilding Haiti’s police and courts must be a top priority. Your voice makes a difference. Please sign your name to IJM’s letter to President Obama and forward this to others, urging them to do the same.

Thank you for all you do to protect children, women and men from violent injustice.

In partnership,Eileen Campbell

Director of Justice CampaignsInternational Justice Mission

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

I just found out this afternoon that today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. I think anyone would agree that this is an issue that deserves our attention. So many times we are appalled by offenses such as human trafficking, but wonder how God can use our everyday lives to be a voice for the mostly women and children caught in the web of this crime. Below is an invitation from Jackie Herron, Compassion & Justice Director at Willow Creek North Shore. I urge you to be a part of this wonderful opportunity to learn more and get involved so that we can advocate on behalf of these vulnerable women & children. Here's Jackie's message:

I'm inviting you to be a part of a special opportunity WCNS has to host a screening of Call + Response- a documentary film on Human Trafficking. I have seen it twice and it is amazing. It is both a concert and film all in one. We are also hosting the director, Justin Dillon as well. It will be incredible!! He is an amazing example of someone who found their Holy Discontent!

Our goal is to educate (call) and help create action (response) to the issue of Human Trafficking today. We also see this Justice issue as an easy way to introduce those far from God to Him!

We'd love to pack out the auditorium on Thursday evening, March 4th at 7pm with individuals willing to do something (if just learn) about trafficking. The issue is really starting to get press and I think it will be an easy way to engage people.

The screening is free for any who come.

We will have 3 ministries that will provide concrete next steps for people:

1. Trade as One (Economics/Fair Trade)
2. Salvation Army's STOP IT (A Chicago response)
3. Warm Blankets Orphan Care International (helping provide rescue, support and housing for vulnerable children (Globally)
4. Of course, Call+Response will have their activities that they do (which are great).

They will each have a booth and also will be highlighted in our next run of classes that start the following week. Nathan George, Elyse Dahlberg and Craig Muller will each teach a week on the class entitled: After the Film for people that want to go deeper on the issues. see link for details: https://classes.willowcreek.org/default.aspxpage=3258&profile=1953&eventid=1953&pageid=3374&sort=Date&pprofile=4

I'd love for you to be involved in bringing this film to the North Shore - even if it is using your networks to expose people to the film. You WILL NOT be disappointed by having anyone you know attend. By getting people here God and the film will do the rest. :)

If you can make a short informational/vision casting meeting of the film with take away communication tools available to you to promote to friends, family, schools, businesses, etc. We'd love to have you attend. Meeting is 5:45-6:15pm Thursday, January 14th in room 101 at the North Shore campus.

Let me know if you can help!

Jackie

jherron@willowcreek.org

The Willow Creek North Shore Campus is located at:

Christian Heritage Academy

315 Waukegan Road

Northfield, IL 60093

Human Trafficking Workshop

**Illinois Rescue and Restore**
Human Trafficking: Effective Tools for the Faith Community


January 14, 9 AM – 4 PM
*Lunch is on your own*
LaSalle Street Church
Cornerstone Center
1111 N. Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60610


Please join Illinois Rescue and Restore for a FREE anti-human trafficking training. Anti-trafficking experts will provide information on the basics of human trafficking (including child exploitation, sex trafficking, and labor trafficking), anti-trafficking legislation, victim outreach, victim identification, and how faith communities can work to fight human trafficking in Illinois.

Registration for this training is FREE. To register or for more information contact Rachael.Burke@Illinois.gov, or call at (312) 793-0481 by January 13th, 2010. Seating is limited, so please register early.

CEUs available for LSWs, LCSWs , LPCs, and LCPCs at a cost of $10.00 through Northern Illinois University. Please contact us for more information.

Trainers for this Illinois Rescue and Restore event include experts from:

Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation
International Organization For Adolescents
Salvation Army Trafficking Outreach Program and Intervention Techniques (STOP-IT)