Combat Sex Trafficking on #GivingTuesday
#GIVINGTUESDAY
Every year the madness of Black Friday gets a little more insane, and for many, it’s tolerated, (even celebrated) because it’s weaseled its way into becoming a family tradition. Well, we’d like to propose a new family tradition! We're sure you have heard of Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, you may have even heard of Small Business Saturday, but in recent years, a new opportunity for giving has sprung up called #GivingTuesday. Social media and other outlets highly encourage giving back on Giving Tuesday to your local or favored nonprofit/charity and at The Mosaic Initiative, we are all about it!
Being selective on who you give to is important because unfortunately good intentions aren’t all that is needed to have a long-term positive impact. (If you’re looking for a great read that specifically speaks about the importance of our impact, we highly recommend reading the book When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself. ) If you are passionate about sex trafficking, want to get involved in #GivingTuesday this year, but aren't sure where to start, you're in the right place! We have created a list of a 10 organizations that combat sex trafficking for you to consider giving to this season.
There are an overwhelming amount of organizations involved in anti-trafficking efforts so we’ve limited our list to 10. The following list is in no particular order-
When The saints-
In December of 2015, When The Saints opened the doors of an aftercare facility/safe home for young girls ages 5-15 who have been sexually exploited in Malawi, Africa. The first and only of its kind in the country of Malawi, it is pioneering the way for aftercare in the area. When the Saints focuses special attention on truly empowering the local Malawian people in serving the enslaved children of their nation.
“Our first program was to open a safe home for girls who are enslaved for the purpose of sexual exploitation in the country of Malawi. We opened this rehabilitation facility on December 22nd, 2015. This facility will ensure the educational, vocational, nutritional, emotional, psychological and most of all spiritual care of the girls ages 5-15.” (Quoted from whenthesaints.com)
When the Saints have an exciting vision for their future and would like to build a larger facility so that they will not have to turn away multiple children each month. They are also trying to work towards financial sustainability by establishing IGAs (income-generating activities). We hope you are as excited about the efforts being made toward sustainability as we are!
You can check out the When The Saints documentary, and learn more about what they do on their site www.whenthesaints.com . If you’d like to donate, you can find a direct link to their donation page by clicking the button below.
2. BLACKBOX INTERNATIONAL
Blackbox International is a 10 year old aftercare facility in the Dominican Republic (soon to be a second location in Haiti) that serves young boys that have been trafficked/sexual exploited. This organization is particularly unique because sadly, there are not currently many that serve sexually exploited boys.
“Established in 2010, Blackbox International is a faith-based, Christ-centered, not-for-profit organization that exists to holistically rehabilitate sex-trafficked boys age 16 and under. Blackbox provides the critical aftercare component for boys rescued from sex trafficking in order to help them find healing from their past, joy in the present, and purpose for their future. We believe they will be restored from the hurt and confusion that has been inflicted upon them and one day become men who will change the world. Behind every box that covers a face is a story and the Story Must Change.” (Quoted from BlackBoxInternational.org)
To learn more about this unique organization please visit their site at blackboxinternational.org or help them pave the way for others wanting to see freedom for trafficked young boys by giving through the link below.
3. Rapha International-
Rapha International is a 16 year old nonprofit organization that has 4 excellent aftercare facilities operating in Cambodia, Thailand and Haiti. The group works with local staff in each country they serve to create a safe environment for survivors to find healing and hope. They focus on setting a standard of excellence in care and therapy for the children they serve. Rapha has paved the way for many others in the countries they work because of their dedication to partner and work with the local governments.
“The Rapha International model is to find native people who are qualified and passionate about combating the issues of child slavery and sexual exploitation in their own countries, and equipping them to combat on behalf of these children. Rapha is a Hebrew word which means “healing.” And healing is the heartbeat of Rapha International. “ (Quoted from Rapha.org)
Visit Rapha International’s site to learn more about the other programs they are involved in, find resources for churches, or find their list of prayer requests to cover them in prayer. Click the button below to be taken directly to the organization’s donation page.
4. The Covering House
Serving the St. Louis, Missouri area, The Covering House is an anti-trafficking organization with a residential facility for female minors who have survived sex trafficking/sexual exploitation. If you’re looking to support an organization serving in the U.S. The Covering House is a great place to get involved.
“During the fall of 2014, The Covering House opened their long-term therapeutic home. The opening of this facility was significant for many reasons. This facility is for girls, between the ages of 13-17 years old, that have experienced sexual trafficking or exploitation in the U.S. This home is the first in the state of Missouri, third in the Midwest and 38th in the U.S. solely for girls under the age of 18 years old that have experienced this trauma.” (Quoted from thecoveringhouse.org)
Visit The Covering House to learn more about additional programs that they offer and other ways in which they are actively combating sex trafficking. If you’d like to be directed to straight to their donation page, you can simply press the button below.
5. Freedom’s PRomise
Freedom’s Promise is a nonprofit organization focused on prevention of human trafficking in Cambodia. Freedom’s Promise uses a prevention model they developed called T.H.R.I.V.E which stands for:
“TRAFFICKING AWARENESS- We equip individuals to protect their families and communities by providing training to recognize and address vulnerabilities and identify tactics used by traffickers.
HEALTHCARE- We build strong communities by providing basic medical care, educating individuals on nutrition and disease prevention, and mobilizing community health leaders.
RESTORATION THROUGH CHRIST- We equip local leaders and pastors to instill self-worth through discipleship based in the love of Jesus Christ.
INCOME GENERATION- We provide dignified employment opportunities for individuals to earn a fair wage in a safe environment.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING- We equip at-risk women with the skills training needed to secure reliable jobs and provide for their families.
EDUCATION- We invest in the next generation of children and young adults by providing safe play spaces and quality learning environments.”(Quoted from freedomspromise.org)
While many give to groups involved in direct intervention and aftercare efforts, we (The Mosaic Initiative) believe prevention is equally important to fighting all forms of trafficking. Learn more about Freedom’s Promise on their site, or check out their donation page through the link below.
6. Alabaster Jar Berlin
Alabaster Jar Berlin is an outreach to the prostitutes and trafficked women/girls working on the streets of Berlin, Germany. Alabaster Jar does a wonderful job building relationship with the women while sharing the love of Christ through compassion and kindness.
“Our volunteers hand out coffee, tea, sweets, condoms, as well as literature and contact info for practical help. The work of Alabaster Jar is designed to promote self worth, confidence and hope for change. We are motivated by the belief that every individual is worthy to receive Christ’s transformative love and kindness, and we seek to achieve our mission by investing in the following three areas: Care and community- We go to the streets, into brothels and open our café to build trust, provide care, establish community, and communicate the love of Jesus. Opportunities that encourage growth & personal empowerment-We meet practical needs through partnership. Physical security and health- We collaborate with social workers and other services such as drug advice centres, medical facilities, emergency shelters and houses of refuge.” (quoted from alabasterjar.de)
You can visit Alabaster Jar to discover more about their three-part ministry, learn how you can get involved, and sign-up for a list of their prayer requests. Press the link below to donate to the Alabaster Jar.
7. Tamar Center
The Tamar Center started in 1999 in Thailand and has a wide-variety of different programs all focused on fighting exploitation and trafficking and sharing hope in the darkness. Their approach is unique and we love the amount of opportunities that are offered with their different vocational trainings.
“Tamar Center was founded in 1999 and seeks to provide hope in a city full of red-light districts. To provide healing through love, counseling based on biblical principles and to provide education through vocational training as well as job opportunities for girls leaving the bars. Tamar Center operates two centers in Pattaya. In Soi 6 we have our Outreach Center which includes a Hair Salon, the House of Peace – a place for women working in the bars to come and rest, we offer free English Classes and have a House of Prayer on the top floor. On 3rd Road in Pattaya, we have our Main Office which includes our Restaurant and Bakery, Card and Handicraft Room, Counseling Center and Offices. In addition to these Centers we have rented ten houses in a small and quiet street where we have a nursery for the children of the women and accommodation for all the women in our programs. Tamar team members also do regular outreaches to Issan (the north east region of Thailand), the region where most of our women come from.” ( Quoted from TamarCenter.org)
Check out the Tamar Center’s website to read more about their vision, or find the products they sell. You can be directed to their donation page through the button below.
8. the Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition (CMSHTC)
The Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition is different than the prior organizations listed, because it is a coalition. If you are living in Missouri, this is a great organization not only to give to, but to get involved with!
“The mission of the Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition (CMSHTC) is to end and prevent forced labor and sexual exploitation of innocent children, women and men. Through advocacy, active engagement in community collaboration and education, the coalition seeks to identify victims, expose traffickers and users, promote slave free practices and support survivors of human trafficking on their journey toward wholeness. The coalition envisions communities free of modern day slavery.” (Quoted from stophumantraffickingmo.com)
We are excited to see individuals working together to fight trafficking and bring awareness in their own state. You can learn more about getting involved on their website or give to their gofund.me page with the button below.
9. Destiny Rescue
Destiny Rescue is a nonprofit that is actively involved in the prevention, direct intervention, and restoration efforts/aftercare of sex trafficking survivors around the globe.
“Destiny Rescue is an internationally-recognized Christian non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing children trapped in exploitation and the sex trade. Our vision is to rescue the sexually exploited and enslaved, restore the abused, protect the vulnerable, empower the poor and be a voice for those who can’t speak up for themselves. We currently work in seven countries around the world and have celebrated over 4000 lives rescued from the evils of sexual exploitation. Destiny Rescue has operations in Thailand, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, India and other locations that remain undisclosed for security purposes. We also have offices in three donor nations: United States, Australia and New Zealand.” (Quoted from DestinyRescue.org)
Learn more about the different programs and involvement of Destiny Rescue on their site. Fund the direct intervention “rescue” of a child here, or click the button below to be linked to their general donation page.
10. Legacy of Hope International-
Serving from a building that used to be a brothel, Legacy of Hope International (LOHI) works in the areas of education, public health initiatives, as well as human trafficking prevention in the country of Cambodia.
“LOHI is an international organization founded in 2005 on the belief that all people are created to love, serve, and bring hope to one another.
Mission: LOHI assists with community-based development through education, public health initiatives, and human trafficking prevention.
Vision: LOHI has a vision of seeing thriving communities where empowered passionate locals are providing education, public health initiatives, and human trafficking prevention.” (Quoted from lohintl.com/)
Visit Legacy of Hope’s website here, or give via paypal below.
We limited our list of anti-trafficking organizations, but if you’re wanting to search for others, you’ll want to check out the Global Modern Slavery Directory where they keep the large index of anti-trafficking organizations and their profiles!