U-ACT is a grassroots volunteer organization that partners with existing local and international anti-trafficking NGOs to fight human trafficking. U-ACT is based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

CONNECT WITH U-ACT!

www.u-act.org
Email: info@u-act.org
~ Facebook.com/IndyUACT ~ Twitter @IndyUACT


Visit the U-ACT website
for current meeting information and projects!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

August meeting update

Hi U-ACT! Hope your week is going well. Many thanks to Austin for his visit on Monday evening and to all of you for all of your excellent work. We are really grateful to the team who visited Lugar’s office yesterday and to all those working on the events to raise awareness and support efforts to end human trafficking. We have listed some of the upcoming events below as well as a few articles.

Here’s a link to the article to one of Austin’s articles on human trafficking in Dubai: http://www.guernicamag.com/spotlight/1476/bubble_city/

This link is from Laura’s friend Heather who spoke to us about her work in Cambodia:
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-dynamic-index/2E617561A12EFFB6852574440043C4B5?Opendocument

This final link is from one of the men who participated in the Set the Captives Free Bible study last summer: http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=magazine.article&issue=soj1008&article=selling-our-children

Stop Child Trafficking Now Benefit Concert - Saturday, August 21 beginning at 7 p.m. at Midtown Grill in Broad Ripple - sponsored by NUVO and 92.3 WTTS. There are 3 great music acts lined up that will be playing acoustic sets. We also have Dr. Greg Wark, the Executive Director of Stop Child Trafficking Now, as an honored guest. He will be sharing the latest developments at SCTNow. There will also be a silent auction with some great memorabilia that includes a John Wooden signed basketball, plenty of Colts stuff, and some other great items. Questions – Please call Brad Harper 331-8818

UCC and Disciples in the Greater Indianapolis area… You’re invited! Former Global Mission Interns, Erin McKinney and Alex Morse, will be sharing the story of Caminante, our Global Ministries partner in the Dominican Republic at Friedens United Church of Christ (8300 South Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46217) Tuesday, August 24th @ 7:30pm Come hear the story of God’s mission in the D.R. and enjoy some food and music from the Caribbean. For additional info contact: Pastor Sarah Haas pastorsarah@friedensucc.org

EAT, DRINK & FUND Pervertigo!!! Come join us for a splendid evening of revelry on Friday, August 27 from 7:30-10:30pm at Yats on Mass Ave in downtown Indy! Food by Yats, Beer by Sun King Brewing Company and Wine by Easley Winery! $15 gets you food and drink tickets, including alcohol! Hope to see you there! Want more info? Visit Pervertigo's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Pervertigo/123532364349719?ref=ts

Labor Day Evening Gathering – Just for fun – details to come soon.

Crafting for Others Night – Wednesday, September 8th from 6:30 to 8 p.m. – at Friedens UCC (8300 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN, 46217)

Bike Ride Launch – Friday, September 24th at 10 a.m. from the Circle – Go to www.ridefor146.org or contact Amanda Bocik for more information – ajbocik@gmail.com

Not for Sale Regional Gathering – Saturday, September 25th from noon to 5 p.m. at Friedens UCC (Lunch will be provided.)

Stop Child Trafficking Now Walk - October 2 at 8AM at the Canal in downtown Indianapolis. The walker registration page is up and ready for you to register. You can do that by clicking here http://sctnow.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.eventDetails&eventID=655&destination=E
Questions – Please call Brad Harper 331-8818

Thank you!
Laura and Sarah
www.unitedagainstcontemporarytrafficking.blogspot.com

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

July Meeting Recap

Hello U-ACT! We are excited to relay all of the wonderful information we gleaned from our guest speakers at this month's meeting, as well as update everyone on current and future opportunities to become involved in our initiatives! We hope everyone is doing well, and we look forward to seeing you at next month's meeting on Monday, August 16 at Common Ground!

**Our first guest speaker was Robin Rossmanith, the co-chair of the Northeast Florida Human Trafficking Task Force and owner of Shop to Stop Slavery, a website created to educate consumers about the origins of everyday products. Robin and her family were visiting from Florida and took time out of their busy schedule to attend our meeting! Robin described her work with the Human Trafficking Task Force, as well as allowed U-ACTers to ask questions regarding the work she and her colleagues are doing to educate the public about human trafficking, as well as their work in partnering with local law enforcement and social service agencies and providing human trafficking victims with the services they need and deserve. We would like to thank Robin and her husband for their time and willingness to share. For further information about the Northeast Florida Human Trafficking Task Force or Robin's work there, follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Northeast-Florida-Human-Trafficking-Task-Force/105079392865875. For information about Shop to Stop Slavery, please visitshoptostopslavery.com.

**Heather Blanch was our second guest speaker. Heather is home in Indiana for a few short weeks before she returns to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Heather provided us with an overview of Cambodian history, culture, daily life, and current challenges. She described her work with SHE Rescue Home, a shelter for sexually exploited or at-risk girls, as well as her upcoming work with The Hard Places Community as the Research and Development Coordinator for Cambodia. We very much appreciate Heather and her time, passion, and insight! Follow Heather viaher Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=110728881511&ref=ts or through her blog at http://eleutheroo.blogspot.com/.

Action Area Updates:
1. Our SCTNow fundraiser at Midtown Grill is less than a month away (Aug 21, 7-10:30pm)! If anyone has contacts with big businesses who might be willing to donate items for the silent auction at the event, please contact Laura Pope asap!
2. Please watch for future U-ACT emails with info regarding:
- dates to accompany Sarah to visit Senator Lugar's office to ask for his
support of the CPCA
-Crafting for Others Night – August 24th beginning at 6:30 p.m.
- Amanda Bocik and the RideFor146 team's needs
- the Indy SCTNow Walk that will take place this October
3. Remember to utilize available resources, such as IJM House Party kits, Book Clubs, and the U-ACT Training Kit, to educate family, friends, and the community on the issue of human trafficking.
4. We are looking for a few volunteers to man a table at an event in Bloomington this September 17th and 18th. Please respond to this email if interested and available.

And, as always, if you have ideas you'd like to see become Action Areas, please let us know! We value your input!

Laura and Sarah
co-founders, U-ACT