December 2010 Update

This will be our last email update for 2010...can you believe how quickly time flies?! Here are a few updates to keep you up to speed! :)

First, upcoming events!
** 1.17.2011 - next U-ACT meeting
** 3.13.2011 (Freedom Sunday) - 2nd Annual NFS Free2Walk event @ Friedens UCC
--> hosted by U-ACT to benefit the Not For Sale Campaign

** 5.7.2011 - TraffickJam 2011 --> 10 mile walk to benefit the Hard Places
Community.

See below for further info.


New opportunities to fight against trafficking:
1. Julia Spangler is in the process of planning and organizing an ethical
shopping guide! If you would like to be a part of the guide's creation, please
contact Julia.

2. Our friends at the Julian Center and Exodus Refugee have so kindly offered to
bring their volunteer training to us! Our goal is to utilize the January or
February U-ACT meeting for this training. It will be specialized to HT
community outreach. We will update you as soon as we set a definite training
date.
*You no longer need to complete a volunteer application with the Julian Center
or Exodus Refugee if you plan to attend the training during a U-ACT meeting.
However, if you would like to complete the training at the Julian Center or at
Exodus on your own time, you will need to complete and submit an application to
JC or Exodus.

3. Our friend Emily (thanks Emily!!) introduced us to the Pepsi Refresh Project,
an online opportunity for innovative individuals to win grant money for their
great project ideas. Starting February 1st, vote for up to 10 of your favorite
ideas every day. View, vote, and learn more at
http://www.refresheverything.com/. Or, to view HT-specific ideas, follow this
link: http://www.refresheverything.com/search/?q=human+trafficking

4. If you would like to host a fair trade jewelry party, Destiny Rescue is your
contact! Visit
http://www.destinyrescue.org/us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41&Itemid=54

For further info, contact Barbie at usa@destinyrescue.org or call 574-834-1109.

5. Kaylin asked us to share the attached information about an event this Friday.


Other important info:
**Current details on 2011 NFS Free2Walk:
This will be a 3 mile walk located near Friedens UCC. The route
follows the same path as the 2009 NFS walk. If you are interested in helping
plan or organize Free2Walk, please contact us asap!

**Current details on TraffickJam 2011:
TraffickJam 2011 is a Walk-A-Thon event to benefit the Hard Places Community, a
ministry with locations in literal "hard places" of the world...places where
others are too fearful or too unwilling to go and help those who need it most.
One Hard Places Community exists in Cambodia, a country in southeastern Asia
whose sex trade and human trafficking industries are astounding. TraffickJam
2011 will be a nationwide event to raise awareness, spread hope, and raise funds
for the Hard Places Community in Cambodia. U-ACT has decided to act as the
Indiana event coordinator for this walk, so if you are interested in planning,
organizing, or even participating in this event, please contact us asap! :) We
will begin work on this project in January 2011.

**Some members expressed interest in a recent news article...so here it is! :)
FBI: 69 children, 99 pimps found in national bust
(AP) – Nov 8, 2010
WASHINGTON (AP)
More than five dozen child prostitutes have been found in the last three
days as part of a nationwide crackdown on the sexual exploitation of children,
the FBI said Monday.
FBI spokesman Jason Pack said 69 children were removed from prostitution and 99
suspected pimps were arrested in 40 cities across 30 states and the District of
Columbia. Authorities arrested 785 other adults on a variety state and local
charges, Pack said.
All the children found in the last three days have been placed into protective
custody or returned to their families.
The children were found during Operation Cross Country V, a three-day
roundup targeting child traffickers and pimps. The largest group of child
prostitutes, 24, was found in and around Seattle, according to the FBI. FBI
executive assistant director Shawn Henry said the children found ranged in age
from 12 to 17. Authorities are working with the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children to confirm their identities.
Henry said child prostitutes are often recruited by loose knit groups
that seek out kids who may be involved in drugs or runaways looking for a
"responsible adult" to help them.
"There are groups of people out there preying on naive kids who don't have a
good sense of the way of the world," Henry said. "Sometimes there's a threat of
force, threats of violence. A lot these kids operate out of a sense of fear."
Since 2003, when the FBI and the Justice Department launched the
Innocence Lost National Initiative, about 1,250 child prostitutes have been
located and removed from prostitution.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

This is an article from Sojourners that several U-ACT Members asked us to include - Child trafficking arrests. FBI: 69 children, 99 pimps found in national bust “More than five dozen child prostitutes have been found in the last three days as part of a nationwide crackdown on the sexual exploitation of children, the FBI said Monday.” Federal crackdown on child prostitution results in 884 arrests “A three-day federal crackdown on child prostitution rings across the country has resulted in the recovery of 69 children and the arrest of 884 persons, including 99 pimps, federal authorities said Monday.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We hope everyone has a very merry and safe Christmas and a happy New Year as
well :)
Thank you for a wonderful year! And, as always, WE LOVE TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS! So
send them our way! :)

Sarah and Laura
co-founders, U-ACT
www.unitedagainstcontemporarytrafficking.blogspot.com
pastorsarah@friedensucc.org
317-709-5857

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

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

MEETING on MONDAY JULY 19th

We hope to see you at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 19th at Friedens UCC church building (8300 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN, 46217). We will have a longer meeting this month due to an opportunity to visit with guest speakers. Please feel free to come for part of the meeting even if you aren’t able to come for the whole meeting. Below you will also see several upcoming events and opportunities to volunteer.
Thank you,
Laura and Sarah

7 to 8 p.m. – Guest Speakers
Heather Blanch – Sharing about her experience in Cambodia
Robin Rossmanith – Sharing about her work with the NE Florida Human Trafficking Task Force

8 to 9 p.m. – Work on Action Areas

Upcoming Events

Speaker on the Congo – Friedens United Church of Christ – Monday, July 12th – Following the opening of Vacation Bible School – approximately 6:20 p.m.
Questions – Please contact Sarah Haas

If you’d like to visit one or both of our Senators about the Child Protection Compact Act in August or September, please contact Sarah Haas as soon as possible.

Benefit Concert for SCTNow at Midtown Grill in Broad Ripple on Saturday, August 21st.

Crafting for Others Night – a chance to work on the Freedom Scarves – August 24th at Friedens United Church of Christ church building beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Please let contact Laura Pope or Sarah Haas if you would be available to work at a U-ACT table and briefly speak about U-ACT at an event in Bloomington on Sept. 17th and/or 18th.

Notes from June 21st Meeting

Hello U-ACT!


Thank you to everyone who attended the Monday, June 21st meeting at Common Ground! We are so excited for the progress we're making in our Action Areas! For everyone who couldn't attend, here is a summary of the Action Areas discussed, volunteer opportunities available, and other important information. Thank you all for the time and energy you dedicate to combating human trafficking!

1. Exodus Refugee Human Trafficking Caseworker Valerie Schmitt generously attended the meeting and informed us about current and future opportunities to partner both individually and as a group with Exodus and the Julian Center.

*Current Opportunities:

a. If anyone has experience in marketing, videography, or graphic design and is interested in working alongside the Julian Center to create community awareness publications, please email Valerie Schmidt at vschmitt@exodusrefugee.org.

*Future Opportunities:

a. The Julian Center is creating human trafficking community outreach programs and, once these programs are in place, the Julian Center will need volunteers to serve on these outreach teams. If you are interested in this future opportunity, you must first complete the Julian Center's general volunteer training. Sign up for this free training by following this link: http://www.juliancenter.org/volunteer_individual.html


2. Amanda and Adam Bocik attended the meeting to tell us about an upcoming human trafficking fundraiser and awareness event to benefit Love146. Amanda, Adam, and a few other Indianapolis residents will be riding bicycles from Monument Circle to New York City from September 24 to October 2, 2010. They are in need of the following items/services:

a. financial donations

b. goods donations, i.e. lodging, food, energy bars, cycling gear, jerseys, cycling equipment, safety vehicle (large van/trailer) c. volunteers to publicize the event d. volunteers to organize a send-off event on Monument Circle on Sept. 24.

e. volunteers to spread the word about this event!

**All donations are tax deductible through Forkout.org. If interested, please contact Amanda Bocik at 317-695-3568 or ajbocik2gmail.com. Further information on the bike ride event can be found at www.ridefor146.org or www.love146.org.



3. If anyone is interested in financially or prayerfully supporting Laura's close friend Heather Blanch, who is serving an anti-trafficking non-profit in Cambodia, please email Laura at laura.pope@yahoo.com or uact.indy@yahoo.com.



4. We signed postcards to Senator Lugar asking for his support of CPCA. If you’d like to sign postcards or work on further legislative issues, please contact Sarah at pastorsarah@friedensucc.org or 317-881-6779 or 317-709-5857.



5. We continued to work on fundraisers and awareness events. If you have questions about these opportunities please see below or feel free contact us.



Thank you,

Laura and Sarah


Action Areas:
1) Summer/Fall 2010 Fundraising Event
Task: brainstorm and organize an outdoor fundraising event to benefit Pearl Alliance
Points to Discuss: bands/singers/dancers to perform (could be local), possible outdoor venues (downtown Indy preferable), marketing ideas, sponsor/donor ideas, fair trade vendors at the event

2) Freedom Scarves – We found out that you don’t have to use the looms if you know how to knit.
Task: knit scarves to raise funds for NFS
marketing/sales ideas
*Info about Freedom Scarves:
1. Freedom Scarf tags: http://www.flickr.com/photos/intocollidingentropy/sets/72157622429608580/
2. brands of yarn: Red Heart Light and Lofty (for adults), Red Heart Baby Clouds (for kids), can be
purchased at JoAnn Fabric's or online at herrschners.com
3. novelty yarns (to be mixed in w/base yarns above, if you wish):
http://www.herrschners.com/product.aspx?pid=95446,
http://www.herrschners.com/product.aspx?pid=95409,
http://www.herrschners.com/product.aspx?sku=711506P&qid=
4. looms: http://cottagemagpie.com/imgc/easy-loom-knitted-scarf-1.jpg, can be purchased at JoAnn Fabric's or Wal-Mart for $5-$9.
5. The typical child sized scarf is 2 1/2 inches wide and 4 to 5 feet long, depending on the age of the
child. They sell for $10.00. Teen and adult scarves can be made either 4 ($10) or 5 inches ($12) wide
(or even 2 1/2, for those who like thin scarves) and are 5 1/2 to 6 feet long (depending on the skein of
yarn).
6. instructional knitting videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pPIT9Us7ZE&feature=related,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgLYwCgF63E&NR=1


3) Ground Initiative
Task: create business-size info cards to leave in doctors' office bathrooms, etc. that inform victims of their rights and options for help
Points to Discuss: possible distribution locations, available community resources for victims, hotline info, other info to include on card

(Coasters to bars)

4) Julian Center Domestic Trafficking Volunteer Training
Task: review existing volunteer training programs and then assemble our own to serve domestic trafficking victims housed at the Julian Center (or elsewhere, in the future)
Points to Discuss: helpfulness of completing OVCTTAC Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training (more info found at ovcttac.gov/saact/index.cfm)
*Please review the following org's existing training programs:
1. misssey.org
2. sharedhope.org
3. love146.org
4. free-international.org

5) Advocacy

Task: research current legislation that relates to human trafficking

Points to Discuss:

1) What are our best sources for information about current legislation?

2) Which state and federal representatives should be contacted?

*Child Protection Compact Act

*TVPA

Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act (S 2925)

Funding for several authorized programs related to child labor, forced labor, human trafficking and slavery in the FY 2011 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation Bill


*International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA)

Letters to the editor


6) Film Screenings/book groups

Task: raise awareness about human trafficking and efforts to abolish it by providing film screenings/book groups

Points to Discuss:

1) Compile lists of places to show films or discuss books

2) Design system to keep track of places that have been contacted and responses given

3) Continue to add to list of films and books

4) What social media tools might be available to assist with making connections and promoting our availability to do film screening and lead book groups


7) Contact database

Task: develop method of keeping track of contact information for names of leaders/organizations that we have partnered with, groups we’ve been in touch with about speaking engagements, groups with projects that we have helped with, ect….


8) If you are interested in becoming a Stop Child Trafficking Now Ambassador, please contact Laura Pope.

NEXT meeting and IMPORTANT INFO/EVENTS

U-ACT (United Against Contemporary Trafficking)
Next meeting: Monday, May 17, 2010 at 7 p.m. at Friedens United Church of Christ (8300 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN, 46217)

Supper will be served and then we will continue to work on the following initiatives:

1) Summer/Fall 2010 Fundraising Event
Task: brainstorm and organize an outdoor fundraising event to benefit Pearl Alliance
Points to Discuss: bands/singers/dancers to perform (could be local), possible outdoor venues (downtown Indy preferable), marketing ideas, sponsor/donor ideas, fair trade vendors at the event

2) Freedom Scarves
Task: knit scarves to raise funds for NFS
marketing/sales ideas
*Info about Freedom Scarves:
1. Freedom Scarf tags: http://www.flickr.com/photos/intocollidingentropy/sets/72157622429608580/ 2. brands of yarn: Red Heart Light and Lofty (for adults), Red Heart Baby Clouds (for kids), can be purchased at JoAnn Fabric's or online at herrschners.com 3. novelty yarns (to be mixed in w/base yarns above, if you wish): http://www.herrschners.com/product.aspx?pid=95446, http://www.herrschners.com/product.aspx?pid=95409, http://www.herrschners.com/product.aspx?sku=711506P&qid= 4. looms: http://cottagemagpie.com/imgc/easy-loom-knitted-scarf-1.jpg, can be purchased at JoAnn Fabric's or Wal-Mart for $5-$9. 5. The typical child sized scarf is 2 1/2 inches wide and 4 to 5 feet long, depending on the age of the child. They sell for $10.00. Teen and adult scarves can be made either 4 ($10) or 5 inches ($12) wide (or even 2 1/2, for those who like thin scarves) and are 5 1/2 to 6 feet long (depending on the skein of yarn). 6. instructional knitting videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pPIT9Us7ZE&feature=related, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgLYwCgF63E&NR=1

3) Ground Initiative
Task: create business-size info cards to leave in doctors' office bathrooms, etc. that inform victims of their rights and options for help
Points to Discuss: possible distribution locations, available community resources for victims, hotline info, other info to include on card

4) Julian Center Domestic Trafficking Volunteer Training
Task: review existing volunteer training programs and then assemble our own to serve domestic trafficking victims housed at the Julian Center (or elsewhere, in the future)
Points to Discuss: helpfulness of completing OVCTTAC Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training (more info found at ovcttac.gov/saact/index.cfm)
*Please review the following org's existing training programs:
1. misssey.org
2. sharedhope.org
3. love146.org
4. free-international.org

5) Advocacy
Task: research current legislation that relates to human trafficking
Points to Discuss:
1) What are our best sources for information about current legislation?
2) Which state and federal representatives should be contacted?
3) Will there be opportunities to talk with representatives running for offices this spring?
*Child Protection Compact Act
*International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA)Letters to the editor

6) Film Screenings/book groups
Task: raise awareness about human trafficking and efforts to abolish it by providing film screenings/book groups
Points to Discuss:
1) Compile lists of places to show films or discuss books
2) Design system to keep track of places that have been contacted and responses given
3) Continue to add to list of films and books
4) What social media tools might be available to assist with making connections and promoting our availability to do film screening and lead book groups


7) Contact database
Task: develop method of keeping track of contact information for names of leaders/organizations that we have partnered with, groups we’ve been in touch with about speaking engagements, groups with projects that we have helped with, ect….

8) If you are interested in becoming a Stop Child Trafficking Now Ambassador, please contact Laura Pope.


Upcoming Events:

Congo Symposium – May 21-22nd – Please contact Sarah Haas for more information.

Cage Fight Event – Information Below

Not for Sale: Indiana has recently partnered with Fight Night MMA (a wholly owned subsidiary of Mike the Pike Productions, a publicly traded entertainment company) to host a cage fight in Fort Wayne, Indiana on June 5 (http://www.fightnightmma.com/). Fight Traffic will feature amateur and professional mixed martial artists. The event will raise awareness about modern-day slavery and raise money for the rescue and restoration of human trafficking victims! (Talk about literally fighting slavery!)

I'll be speaking about human trafficking and the Not for Sale Campaign and NFS film clips will also be shown in between matches. We are also honored to have Marti MacGibbon join us to share her experiences as a survivor of a human trafficking ring between the United States and Japan (http://www.martimacgibbon.com/).

I'd like to encourage you to visit the Fight Traffic! page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Wayne-IN/Fight-Night-MMA/114358778576627#!/event.php?eid=107105492660470&ref=ts). Become a fan and invite your friends to this event. Tickets are on sale now and it's going to be an incredible opportunity to take a stand against a $32 billion a year industry that is destroying the lives of some 27 million men, women, boys, and girls.

Not for Sale is so excited about this opportunity that Mike the Pike Productions (http://mikethepikeprods.com/) has offered us.

Concert to benefit Stop Child Trafficking Now – August 21st – 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Midtown Grill in Broad Ripple

A few more notes from Sarah Joy (Not for Sale’s IN Director) – We’ll have the attached letters that are referenced at the meeting. We’ll also have letters that have been written to support current legislation regarding funding for efforts to end human trafficking.

"To begin with, Not for Sale has developed Abolitionist Faith Conferences. They're a fantastic way to equip your church to get involved and you can read the attached PDF for more info. You can also visit http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/action/faith/underground-church-network/ for information about the Underground Church Network and the many ways Christians are getting involved in Biblical justice!

I'd also like to invite you to visit http://ecmafrica.org/36236.ihtml Lorella Rouster (who is cc'ed to this e-mail), along with her husband John, lives here in Indiana but regularly travels to Africa to take part in the rescue and restoration of modern-day slaves. They would both love to come share at your church! I've had the privilege of talking to Lorella on the phone and she has some amazing experiences and stories to tell!

I hope you'll take the time to read Ben's letter (attached). It describes the heartbeat of Free2Play far better than I ever could. Would you like to take him up on his challenge? Let me know and I'll be sure to put you in touch with him. Would you like to bring what he is doing to your local soccer field/baseball diamond/swim meet/tennis court? Then visit http://www.teamfree2play.org/ to find out how you can help the victims of modern-day slavery be Free2Play!"

Upcoming EVENTS

1. Congo Symposium
-Theme: Natural Resource Wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Their Impact on Women and Children
-When/Where: Fri/Sat, May 21-22, 2010 at the Sheraton Hotel (downtown Indy)
-Register by May 19 - $45 for entire weekend, includes dinner on Friday and lunch Saturday
-See link below for list of speakers/topics
http://globalministries.org/calendar/congo-symposium.html


2. Fight Traffic! Mixed Martial Arts Fight Night
-When/Where: 6pm on June 5, 2010 at Ft. Wayne Memorial Coliseum in Ft. Wayne, IN
-tickets start at $15
-benefiting NFS
-See link below for further info:
(http://www.fightnightmma.com/).

Upcoming Meeting

The next U-ACT meeting is on Monday, April 19 at 7 pm. This month's meeting will be at a different location- Common Ground Christian Church (4550 N. Illinois St).

If you have any questions or comments, please contact uact.indy@yahoo.com

Thanks!

Resource List- We need YOUR help!

U-ACT is trying to expand our resource list and needs help from our members! We need the following information from anyone who has read/watched any human trafficking material, including dvds, books, magazine articles, etc:

-overall summary
-length
-target audience
-any other pertinent info

Please send any information you have to us at uact.indy@yahoo.com

Thanks so much for your help!

Free2Walk Event: April 24th, 2010

U-ACT will be sponsoring their first ever Free2Walk 3-mile run/walk on Saturday, April 24th from 9 am -11:30 am. All proceeds from this run/walk will benefit the Indiana chapter of the Not For Sale campaign. Please view the following links for more information about the event and registration.

Registration Form HERE

Informational Poster HERE

Four small informational fliers HERE

Please email uact.indy@yahoo.com with any questions or comments. Thanks!

Important Info

SATURDAY, APRIL 10TH- Break the Chains event in Marion, IN. Proceeds benefit White LILAC Ministries and World Hope International. For information, please GO to EVENT WEBSITE.

ONGOING: Sign a petition asking President Obama to work toward eradicating slavery and trafficking in Haiti through the work of International Justice Mission (IJM): SIGN HERE!


*Please check side bar for a new link about the Playground film project, a film that focuses on startling trends in trafficking of American children.

Meeting and new info

The Next U-ACT Meeting will be this Monday, March 15 at 7pm at Friedens UCC.

Please read and look into these four events/projects *click on links on right side of blog*:

1. Freedom Network Conference in Washington, D.C., held March 17-18, 2010. Check for updates about the outcome or other Freedom Network events at Freedom Network website (see link in right column).

2. Not For Sale Campaign Freedom Scarves
Interested in knitting for freedom? Email Sarah Joy Morbitzer, the NFS Indiana Rep, at sarahjoym@notforsalecampaign.org for more info about yarn brands and scarf measurements!! Check out the following links for instructional videos on how to get started: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pPIT9Us7ZE&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgLYwCgF63E&NR=1

3. Not For Sale Investigator Academy in San Francisco, CA, held July 13-24, 2010. Learn more or register at Not For Sale Investigator Academy website (see link in right column).

4. "Cries of Anguish, Stories of Hope" video produced by Overcoming Violence (see first link at right).

If you have any questions or comments, please email uact.indy@yahoo.com

Thank you!

NO MEETING TONIGHT

TONIGHT'S U-ACT MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO SNOW.
Please check back for further information about current and new initiatives and March meetings.

NEXT Meeting- Monday, February 15th

This coming Monday, February 15th, U-ACT will be meeting at 7 p.m. at Common Ground Church on 46th and Illinois. There will be NO 6 p.m. meeting this month.

If you have any questions or need directions, please contact uact.indy@yahoo.com

Congressional TIP Report Petition

Please read and sign our petition to ask Congress to include the U.S. in the 2010 TIP Report:

PETITION- CLICK HERE

Please pass this link along to others to help encourage Congress to include national statistics and information in the TIP Report, which are vital for the stoppage of human trafficking within our own country.

 

January 18, 2010 Meeting notes

The first U-ACT meetings of 2010 were wonderful, and we have many people to thank for that! First of all, we would like to extend our thanks to Carleen Miller of Exodus Refugee and the Julian Center for speaking at our 6pm safehouse meeting! Carleen gave us all some excellent information about her experience with human trafficking in Indianapolis, as well as a few new local volunteer opportunities. We would also like to thank Sharon Hedegard, Jessica Thornburg, Glenis Bonano, and Julia Spangler for their excellent work in preparing U-ACT materials, logos, and our newest resource, the U-ACT Human Trafficking "kit" for our 7pm training meeting! You all are amazing!

Also, please remember to help spread the word: we are no longer able to send out mass emails on our uact.indy account. So, for the time being, please check the blog and/or Facebook page to stay up-to-date with U-ACT info! We can still send and receive individual emails on the uact.indy account, but we cannot reply in mass.
Thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
**The first ever U-ACT Free2Walk event to benefit Not For Sale will be held Saturday April 24, 2010 from 9:30am-11:30am at Friedens UCC. It will be an outdoor, 3 mile walk. Check back soon for more information about sponsorship forms and registration!

NEW OPPORTUNITIES:
1. Serve on one of the Julian Center's new human trafficking outreach teams!
**If you're interested in learning more about the outreach teams, please email Glenis Bonano at gbonano@juliancenter.org.
2. It is our goal to empower U-ACT members to spread awareness about human trafficking in our community. We realize that some of you may not know where to begin when presenting trafficking information to a group of community members, so we've created U-ACT human trafficking "kits"! Each kit contains three powerpoint presentations, a presenter's guide, and lots of informative paperwork that can be copied and handed out to your audiences. So pick up a kit at the February U-ACT meeting, contact a local business manager (hospitals, emergent care centers, doctors' offices, restaurants, etc.) and ask to schedule a presentation time! You can use the "kit" as a point of reference, and add film clips or other handouts to personalize the presentation.

FYI: INSIGHTS from guest speaker Carleen Miller:
-human trafficking is still considered to be a "new crime" in Indiana
-local service agencies (such as the Julian Center) must partner closely with law enforcement to ensure that the best care possible is given to victims
-U.S. domestic trafficking victims are mainly youth (18 years and younger)
-she feels that Indiana does not yet have an extensive foreign or domestic trafficking problem, or if we do, it is largely unnoticed
-large events, such as the Indy 500 and the Superbowl, tend to generate trafficking

Sarah and Laura
co-founders, U-ACT

Congressional Support for Trafficking Victims

Last month, Congress passed a bill that includes increased funding for human trafficking victims and those who serve them. To read about the specifics of the Congressional appropriations, please read the following article:

"Congress Agrees to Fund Crucial Trafficking Victims' Services"

Next Meeting- January 18th

U-ACT will be meeting next Monday, January 18th, at 6 p.m. During the first hour, we will continue our discussion of involvement and work in our Indianapolis community. Also, we will have a guest speaker this month- Carleen Miller from the Julian Center and Exodus Refugee. At 7 p.m., Mrs. Miller will lead a training session for anyone interested in learning how to formally present the issue of trafficking to the community.

These meetings will take place at Friedens United Church of Christ church building (8300 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN, 46217).

If you need more information, please contact uact.indy@yahoo.com and one of our co-founders will be in touch soon.