tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92154582011806691692024-03-14T00:29:54.952-04:00Let Them Have Facesher journey - her story - her shoesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17591116387236599884noreply@blogger.comBlogger309125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-92116606792097080262014-04-02T15:35:00.000-04:002014-04-02T15:35:00.711-04:00LTHF is Looking for Board Members<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">LTHF exists to empower the local community to prevent violence and care for those affected. We desire for all people affected by violence to have a prosperous life in a communal society. LTHF is currently looking for board members in the Colorado Springs area. We are especially looking for those with a finance, fundraising, social enterprise and/or marketing experience.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">LTHF received its 501(c)3 in December and wants to increase its work in the community. LTHF works mostly in the area of care and advocacy and focuses on personal violence issues (including intimate partner violence, sexual assault, child abuse and human trafficking). We also work closely with the foster care system, realizing that personal violence is interconnected and we cannot make strides in one area without consideration for the others. Through education and awareness, we seek to decrease stigma and stereotypes, ultimately creating a safe place for those affected to speak up and share their experiences.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><a href="http://letthemhavefaces.us4.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=07dd6b088048aa5a6460b61e7&id=48552a8fd4&e=386935980b" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #336699; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Go here</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>for a description of what we are looking for. If you are interested or have questions, please contact us at Amanda(at)LetThemHaveFaces.com.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEeStZrlceUHXcAmd0IJcPun6RZlrHYDCLWTIuXGnL9SBwFsmzyqJ5pVyn-GKW_05PBXRM4TeiHDejpb7ltxTOBzFVrcSxLceMv0QBeaTcgHx5EMbmKjdfI-oPKhjU5gBze-O4SCgezfu/s1600/shoes_header-flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEeStZrlceUHXcAmd0IJcPun6RZlrHYDCLWTIuXGnL9SBwFsmzyqJ5pVyn-GKW_05PBXRM4TeiHDejpb7ltxTOBzFVrcSxLceMv0QBeaTcgHx5EMbmKjdfI-oPKhjU5gBze-O4SCgezfu/s1600/shoes_header-flat.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-81139379606004038462014-03-31T11:00:00.000-04:002014-03-31T11:00:00.594-04:00Run for a Cause<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Our friends at the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://letthemhavefaces.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=07dd6b088048aa5a6460b61e7&id=b2f7f3e66e&e=386935980b" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #336699; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>are participating in the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://letthemhavefaces.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=07dd6b088048aa5a6460b61e7&id=c38800f9f6&e=386935980b" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #336699; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Bringing Hope Run</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>on May 3rd, at America the Beautiful Park. Bringing Hope Run benefits organizations locally and internationally who are committed freedom! We want to help the Take Force have the most runners at the event and receive a grant for their work.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">We are trying to get all of our friends to come out, support the Task Force and complete a 5K.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://letthemhavefaces.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=07dd6b088048aa5a6460b61e7&id=52b6933261&e=386935980b" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #336699; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Register </a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">before April 15th (make sure to choose the Task Force) and register for the 5K. Then email us and we’ll bring a LTHF t-shirt for you the day of the race!</span><br />
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<a href="http://bringinghoperun.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="bringinghoperun.com" height="148" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/1069894_10151898216046199_2068344098_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-30299919606910708212014-03-28T13:33:00.000-04:002014-03-28T13:35:14.956-04:00International Women’s Day<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">On March 8th 140 men and women gathered together to celebrate International Women’s Day. They </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZPnneV3oefBqmuBwbvlJwv4vkUrd_eGvmvZPa3jgLbinVCAFXBTxD4KLmy4zw3p7araw_SF6s041q1a7zqmNlE1Rs0NVNd_R4MO_xUnT1Oqu-EfZ11d-P5Vvr_RFPJCGak2mARoByyn1/s1600/IWD.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZPnneV3oefBqmuBwbvlJwv4vkUrd_eGvmvZPa3jgLbinVCAFXBTxD4KLmy4zw3p7araw_SF6s041q1a7zqmNlE1Rs0NVNd_R4MO_xUnT1Oqu-EfZ11d-P5Vvr_RFPJCGak2mARoByyn1/s1600/IWD.png" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
heard the stories of four incredible, local women, working to end personal violence. Through stories of loss and triumph from eastern Africa to here in Colorado Springs, we learned more about resiliency and how it really does take a community to end violence against women.<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Violence against women takes on<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://letthemhavefaces.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=07dd6b088048aa5a6460b61e7&id=c867e07a02&e=386935980b" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #336699; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">many forms</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> and can be masked in ways we cannot imagine. From the emotional abuse to honour killings and rape as a weapon of war, violence against any woman is violence against all humanity.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Some interesting notes to come out of the day:</span><br />
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Education for girls decreases early marriage, obstetric fistulas, and human trafficking. It leads to smaller families, increased family income, and decreases in poverty.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">The majority of those trafficked are men for labor exploitation.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">There is a strong relationship between the number of female legislators in a state’s congress and the funding available for victims of trafficking. However, the most effective examples are the ones in which female legislators pull in their male counterparts and get their buy in.</li>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">We cannot let personal violence become a niched women’s issue. Far too many see these issues as things that only affect women. We have allowed the discussion and the response to become too female driven. That is to say, we need to remember that violence affects men and women, that both men and women are perpetrators and that if we want to end it, we need to create a complete community response.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">As we talk about what we know with others, let us remember and advocate that personal violence is a human rights issue. It does not just affect one group of people, it affects all of us.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #505050; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 14px/21px Arial; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br />
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<em>“You are the hope God created for others” ~ Doris Rivera-Black</em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-11063891202569477322014-02-24T13:10:00.000-05:002014-02-24T13:10:23.741-05:00Day at the Capitol<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last Thursday, the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern
Colorado hosted its second Advocacy Day at the Colorado Capitol. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<li>Chair, Human
Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado, Betty Edwards </li>
<li>Attorney General, John Suthers</li>
<li>Denver Chief of Police, Robert White</li>
<li>FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge, Thomas
Ravenelle</li>
<li>Homeland Security Special Agent in Charge, Kumar
Kibble</li>
<li>Denver PD Sergeant and ILTF member, Daniel Steele</li>
<li>Legislative Host Committee members </li>
<li>Brad Riley, iEmpathize </li>
<li>Survivor, Aubrey Lloyd</li>
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Hear Aubrey’s story <a href="http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2014/02/aubrey_lloyd_human_trafficking_survivor.php" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIR_lFVCWnWS4Ydl3wiCQ0_0cV6sFdIieyjpiv-WMiruKhcnv_dVHWlooGsJAwTY3Ix2IbIViQTh6gLvjfLdCdLvwDwnCqx35Ukn6Ths8jWbQnwNjDHMAEZtHhLIE491tTmy14WLokN5G/s1600/Getting+Started.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIR_lFVCWnWS4Ydl3wiCQ0_0cV6sFdIieyjpiv-WMiruKhcnv_dVHWlooGsJAwTY3Ix2IbIViQTh6gLvjfLdCdLvwDwnCqx35Ukn6Ths8jWbQnwNjDHMAEZtHhLIE491tTmy14WLokN5G/s1600/Getting+Started.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="textexposedshow">Stay in-touch with about
the Task Force, check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Human-Trafficking-Task-Force-of-Southern-Colorado/218376768212890" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://www.ht-colorado.org/" target="_blank">website</a>. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-72240242089412590292013-12-24T12:06:00.002-05:002013-12-24T12:06:57.876-05:00The Power of EmpathyAs we come into this Christmas season, let's try a bit more empathy and engaging with those around us who might be struggling during this time.
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1Evwgu369Jw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17591116387236599884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-47794263388500573512013-12-11T13:37:00.003-05:002013-12-11T13:39:17.797-05:00Empowered Bystanders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9215458201180669169" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17591116387236599884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-6883066988607071202013-11-07T12:00:00.000-05:002013-11-07T12:00:01.676-05:00Gift Cards for Bras<span style="font-family: inherit;">For
the second year we are collecting gift cards for girls in foster care
for Christmas. The gift cards to local retailers allow the high
schoolers to get bras and other personal items they need. There are
three ways to donate:<br />
<br />
1. Send your gift cards to LTHF, PO Box 934, Colorado Springs, CO 80901</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
2. <a href="https://newhorizonsfoundation.net/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=authorizenetonce&Itemid=5&pid=201" style="color: #336699;" target="_blank">Donate</a> and specify it’s for bras<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. If you live in Colorado Springs, let us know and we can arrange a time to meet and collect the gift cards</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://newhorizonsfoundation.net/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=authorizenetonce&Itemid=5&pid=201" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFB2oH-9pb0x1OOPuPnNoUV5V-BjWIKUiEhiJGwRgSzoxiIFWPi7eInZdnrejzOlgDvqoJ_CNtcUIML4jLX7HiRyeRH4K8VE4QeCSfp9bL5sohMJgaQXNpgiDnera4I7lZ2B-1aoeDP5Ml/s400/Gift+Cards+for+Bras+II.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-69476448546958431832013-11-06T13:00:00.000-05:002013-11-06T13:00:01.010-05:00Engaging with The Hanger<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our heart is helping those in foster care is one of care and prevention.
Sometimes kids enter the foster care system from either domestic
violence or sexual abuse situations. They are without their families and
often split up from their siblings. As kids mature, there are less and
less homes available for them, so they end up in facilities that were
created for teen offenders, not kids without a home. We institutionalize
our children and leave them in homes where further abuse and neglect
can happen. <strong>But there are bright spots in the foster care system</strong>
– organizations like CASA advocate on behalf of the child and provide
the stability and care most of the children don’t get otherwise. Our
hope is that if we can affect kids in foster care we can not only stop
generational domestic violence, but create safe places so kids don’t
runaway and become susceptible to traffickers and other predators. So
much in the cycle of violence, abuse and neglect could be ended if we
had better foster care with more loving homes ready to take in one or
two children and stick it out with them. Currently only 3% of those in
foster care go to college. If we had mentors in the foster care system,
people to engage and stay with a teen, to be there for them and provide
the stability of an adult in their life, we could increase that number!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
How does that relate to clothes and cowboy boots? One of the biggest
ways to fight the stigma for kids in foster care is to help them
experience normal activities other kids don’t have to think about. Teens
in foster care are given a $90 stipend for clothes when they are 13 or
14. That’s it! After that the teen better hope someone in the house left
behind clothes or they go through high school with one outfit or don’t
go at all. By providing clothing to The Hanger we are giving high
schoolers a way to build their wardrobe and hopefully stay in school.<br />
<br />
It’s the little things that we can do. If being able to get a prom dress
means a girl will get to experience that night and feel a bit more like
her friends (who never have a consideration for new clothes, shoes,
etc. because of their home situation) that is incredible. It is a step –
a small but vital step.</span><br />
<br />
Join us in coming alongside those in foster care. <a href="https://newhorizonsfoundation.net/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=authorizenetonce&Itemid=5&pid=201" target="_blank">Donate here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-79666932472830661932013-11-04T11:47:00.000-05:002013-11-04T11:47:00.347-05:00What We’ve Been Doing<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the last year two Boy Scouts have approached us to help with their
Eagle project. In both cases we asked them to create bags for The Milton
Foster Children’s Fund. The first did 24 duffle bags, complete with a
fleece blanket, a flashlight, a deck of cards and other fun items. The
second made over 40 drawstring backpacks. They also donated school
supplies, right at the time the teens were getting ready to go back to
school.<br />
<br />
Our donations have increased since the opening of The Hanger earlier
this year. The Hanger is a shop specifically for teenagers in the foster
care system in Teller and El Paso County. Any child 14-21 who needs to
can come in on a Saturday and trade work time for items. It is an
incredible way for teens to get clothing, shoes, and other supplies they
need as well as experience working in a retail environment. Since the
start of the year we have donated backpacks, clothes and duffle bags to
The Hanger as well as granting some specific wishes for cowboy boots and
a full length mirror. We were also able to provide food for a fun event
The Hanger hosted for the teenagers thanks to a generous donor!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
It’s been a busy few months over there at LTHF. We’ve had the amazing
opportunity to work with a variety of groups within our community and
have been able to deliver supplies to our partner agencies around town.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To help us provide more wishes and </span>items our partner organizations needs <a href="https://newhorizonsfoundation.net/index.php?option=com_dtdonate&task=authorizenetonce&Itemid=5&pid=201" target="_blank">donate here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-87369485989217013172013-10-30T11:37:00.001-04:002013-10-30T11:38:29.074-04:00Senator Holds Up Military NominationFrom <a href="http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20131027/NEWS05/310270007/Lawmaker-sustains-6-month-hold-3-star-s-nomination" target="_blank">MilitaryTimes</a>:<br />
<br />
<i>For six months, a prominent Democratic lawmaker has blocked Lt. Gen.
Susan Helms’ nomination to be vice commander of Space Command, making it
unlikely that she will ever be confirmed.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Helms continues to
serve as commander of 14th Air Force. Lt. Gen. John Hyten has already
been confirmed to replace her, but the Air Force is waiting for Helms to
be confirmed before moving forward, Air Force spokesman Capt. Adam
Gregory said. Helms’ nomination will expire in January 2015.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Both Helms and Hyten declined to comment for this story, Gregory said.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Sen.
Claire McCaskill of Missouri first objected to Helms nomination in
April and then reaffirmed her stance in June, citing Helms’ decision to
overturn the sex assault conviction of a captain at Vandenberg Air Force
Base, Calif., in February 2012.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>“With her action, Lt. Gen. Helms
sent a damaging message to survivors of sexual assault who are seeking
justice in the military justice system: They can take the difficult and
painful step of reporting the crime, they can endure the agony involved
in being subjected to intense questioning often aimed at putting the
blame on them, and they can experience a momentary sense of justice in
knowing that they were believed when their attacker is convicted and
sentenced, only to have that justice ripped away with the stroke of a
pen by an individual who was never in the courtroom for the trial and
who never heard the testimony,” McCaskill said in a statement submitted
to the Congressional Record in June.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>McCaskill’s position has not changed since then, her spokesman Drew Pusateri said.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #999999;">(read the full article <a href="http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20131027/NEWS05/310270007/Lawmaker-sustains-6-month-hold-3-star-s-nomination" target="_blank">here</a>)</span><br />
<br />
We applaud Sen. McCaskill for taking the stand and not just rubber stamping the nomination. <a href="http://www.notinvisible.org/" target="_blank">The Invisible War</a> doubts that Helms' confirmation will ever go through. It's time for Helms' to step down and remove her name from consideration. It's also time for the chain of command to be taken out of the sexual assault investigation/prosecution process.<br />
<br />
To learn more about the push for Congress to amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) <a href="http://www.notinvisible.org/tell_congress" target="_blank">go here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-60944103692484370962013-05-31T15:10:00.002-04:002013-05-31T15:26:29.417-04:00Patrick Stewart's PassionPatrick Stewart was asked what the most important thing he has done outside of acting is and this was his response.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TqFaiVNuy1k" width="450"></iframe>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi_27bpIb30" target="_blank">Here is</a> the Amnesty talk that was referred to and <a href="http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/29830452/highlight/330584" target="_blank">a link to</a> the UN platform he did. </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stewart, who grew up in a home where abuse occurred, speaks to the mistaken prejudice that women must have "done something" to deserve their abuse. It is the lie that excuses the abuse and places the blame on the victim. It is wrong (to use his response)! There is nothing a woman does to justify being attacked. Furthermore, Stewart (with lots of emotion) states: <b>Violence is never, ever a choice that a man should make. </b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
This is the greatest lie that allows abuse to continue and it is one of the biggest lies we have to combat and defeat if we are ever going to end violence. Men need to stand up and say to other men that violence is not okay. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also appreciate that, without excusing his actions, Stewart is able to state that his father suffered with undiagnosed PTSD and that played a role in his behavior and abuse. Still, violence is a choice. Stewart now does a lot of work equally for battered women and for those who are suffering with PTSD.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://lemonsweetie.tumblr.com/post/51652237280/let-me-tell-you-a-thing-about-an-amazing-man" target="_blank">Read about the experience</a> from the amazing woman who asked Stewart the question. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17591116387236599884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-55824874846643842642013-05-20T15:01:00.001-04:002013-05-20T15:01:14.600-04:00Girl RisingOn June 6th we are going to Girl Rising. The film is being show at Interquest Stadium 14 (Screen TBD) 11250 Rampart Hill View, Colorado Springs.<br />
<br />
Get your <a href="http://gathr.us/screening/4077" target="_blank">tickets here</a>. Hurry, they are going fast!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="253" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BJsvklXhYaE" width="450"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-18175474717912021352013-03-21T14:30:00.000-04:002013-03-21T14:30:03.068-04:00Bring Out Your Inner van Gogh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://paintingwithatwist.com/events/viewEvent.aspx?eventID=107150" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQTNSDstJLYWaM2UXO2RIeRH4qO31t3sBqxybSCLHGqWLcWZGxFDGHfpc9g-_gpka4JChfadMoFml9rsOMp51StAmGZR7WNqUWP9mLslLOsS9Z3XMtZv0Rmv3h5Cu95PtzbgXyI6fqsti/s400/PWAT-Postcard-small.jpg" width="400" /></a><span id="goog_2094664879"></span><span id="goog_2094664880"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida sans unicode', 'lucida grande', sans-serif;"><span style="color: maroon;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida sans unicode', 'lucida grande', sans-serif;"><span style="color: maroon;">On Tuesday we are at Painting with a Twist! Please bring your friends and family, we would love to have them join us. <em>There class is limited to just fifty people</em>, so please remember to sign up! </span></span></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<h4 class="null" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Arial; font-size: 22px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://paintingwithatwist.com/events/viewEvent.aspx?eventID=107150" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">RSVP here</span></span><strong><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">. </span></strong></a></h4>
<h4 class="null" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Arial; font-size: 22px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;">
<br /></h4>
<div>
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">We will see you on Tuesday! </span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-63311968510358331772013-03-20T14:29:00.000-04:002013-03-20T14:29:05.806-04:00Response to Steubenville<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida sans unicode', 'lucida grande', sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">There has been a lot of attention recently on the two high schoolers in Ohio charged with the rape. The boys, sentenced in juvenile court, could serve up to (only) five years for their crime.<br /><br />The rape was horrific and unimaginable, as the boys posted videos and bragged about their assault to others. The victim only learned she was raped because of their pompous behavior.<br /><br />From </span><a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=174537347" style="color: #336699;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">the AP</span></a><span style="color: black;">:</span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
<em><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida sans unicode', 'lucida grande', sans-serif;">"The accuser said she believed she was assaulted when she later read text messages among friends, saw a photo of herself from that night and watched a YouTube video in which a student cracks jokes about the alleged rape just hours afterward. She said she suspected she had been drugged because she couldn't explain being as intoxicated as defense witnesses have said she was." </span></span></em></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida sans unicode', 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">What has really caught our attention, however, is the media’s response to this. In most of the TV interviews/stories/etc. it is the boys who are treated as the victims! More people are concerned that the boys’ “promising football careers” has ended then they are by the boys’ actions of drugging, raping and broadcasting their assault!</span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida sans unicode', 'lucida grande', sans-serif;"><br />This incident highlights for us the need to address the deep and perverted rape culture in our society.<br /><br />The boys chose to do what they did and it seems like most believe they should be immune to the actions because of their athletic potential. The media is not disgusted by their actions, by their lack of humanity, by their cruelty or lack of respect for their victim. What is a promising football career to all of that? Their actions should be seen as repugnant and disgraceful. They are in no way a victim here. <br /> </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'lucida sans unicode', 'lucida grande', sans-serif;"><span style="color: maroon;">The only victim is the 16-year-old girl they raped. Period.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'lucida sans unicode', 'lucida grande', sans-serif; text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida sans unicode', 'lucida grande', sans-serif;"><strong>Rape is never the survivor’s fault.</strong> It does not matter how much she drank, what she was wearing, where she was walking, who she trusted, etc. The simple reality is that rape is the assault of one person by another. We need to put the action on the perpetrators (the boys in this case), see them as responsible – the only reason this assault occurred! And look at the victim with nothing but compassion, understanding and support.<br /><br />The media’s response to this event sickens us. We are encouraging people who hear remarks on this case that only focus on the boys and make no mention of the girl’s life that was forever changed as well – to stand up, to call or email those stations and ask why they are defending those who commit rape and leaving out those affected.<br /><br />One such action is happening at <a href="https://www.change.org/petitions/cnn-apologize-on-air-for-sympathizing-with-the-steubenville-rapists" style="color: #336699;" target="_blank">Change.org</a> where people are demanding CNN apologize for their extremely vile coverage that focused on the boys and their lack of a football career due to this sentence (as if it was being done to them and not<em>because</em> of their actions), while ignoring the reality that their actions have changed a girl’s life forever and she is the victim in this situation.<br /><br />These are the conversations LTHF hopes to help facilitate around the community. Take time and help us get the word out about who the true victim in this situation is. Speak out against co-workers who don’t understand why the boys are being held accountable, who only see their football careers ending. Mention the girl! Ask how they feel about what the boys did. It starts with a small voice, but if we all speak together we can help launch a discussion on rape culture and hopefully create a space where victims are properly identified and perpetrators are held accountable for their decisions.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-72434657472366092172013-03-08T14:08:00.000-05:002013-03-08T14:08:08.017-05:00International Women's Day
<img align="right" height="261" src="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/07dd6b088048aa5a6460b61e7/images/Screen_Shot_2013_03_07_at_9.33.35_AM.png" style="border: 0; display: inline; line-height: 100%; min-height: 261px; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 200px;" width="200" />Today
is International Women's Day. According to the UN, "It is a day when
women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions,
whether national,ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.
It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and
accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped
potential and opportunities that await future generations of women. (<a href="http://letthemhavefaces.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=07dd6b088048aa5a6460b61e7&id=0c037eb389&e=386935980b" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">link</a>)"<br />
<br />
We take a day to celebrate the amazing achievements of women, to look at
how far we have come and yet, how far we still have to go. For us, this
is a day to stand up for the accomplishments that have been made for
women in the area of abuse - being able to call on the police for help,
the laws that help prosecute those who abuse, the protections for women
getting out of abusive situations, the attention and advancements that
are being made for those being sold. We stand with communities who chose
to not accept the abuse of girls and women and take a stand! We also
cry out for our sisters around the world who suffer under the kind of
discrimination and silence that we in the U.S. have fought so hard to
eradicate. It is a day of celebration, but it is also a day to call
attention to the fact our work is far from over.<br />
<br />
In our community, we will be attending <a href="http://letthemhavefaces.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=07dd6b088048aa5a6460b61e7&id=7f3a38959b&e=386935980b" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><em>Local Women Making an International Impact</em></a><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #48a2b3;"><i><span style="font-size: 18px;">, </span></i></span></span>a program being sponsored, in part, by our dear friends at <a href="http://letthemhavefaces.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=07dd6b088048aa5a6460b61e7&id=f25e95e9e8&e=386935980b" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Zonta</a>. <br />
<br />
We want to acknowledge women who are making an impact.
<ul>
<li>
The mother working to provide the best life possible for her kids.
Whether it is in or out of the home, we celebrate the woman who is
giving her all to her kids, who laugh, cry, play and clean-up after the
little ones who bring her so much joy. </li>
<li>
The mother whose children are out of the home, who is getting back
into the workforce, trying to forge her own way and make a name for
herself.</li>
<li>
The woman who continues to give through mentorship, volunteering, etc. helping to shape the lives of younger women. </li>
<li>
The female CEO, Executive, Board Member, etc. The process of women
becoming equal in the workplace has been a struggle, and while still not
finished, there is nothing women can't do! We have made it into
executive offices, the military, Congress, and every realm in between. </li>
<li>
The military member serving her family, sacrificing time with them,
putting herself in harm's way, defending our freedom and increasing the
freedom of others. We also celebrate the moms who have to hold down a
home while their spouse serves. Their sacrifice is no less demanding,
and we celebrate the woman who keeps things going while their loved ones
serve far away.</li>
<li>
The woman dreamers, givers, lovers and fighters. Women who give,
dream, push and inspire us to keep going, keep giving, keep trying, keep
loving. Without these women we would be lost, without them LTHF would
just be a great idea but because of them we put it into action. </li>
</ul>
Take some time to celebrate the amazing women in your life.
Take a moment to tell them, to thank them and to tell others about the
advancements of the women you admire that have done so much for you. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17591116387236599884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-43223201414777210152013-02-14T13:17:00.000-05:002013-02-14T13:17:02.141-05:00One Billion Rising<br />
Advocacy Day: Today there are one billion rising to end violence against women!<br />
<br />
Human trafficking is a form of violence.<br />
<br />
While many today will be rising to fight domestic violence and sexual assault, we want to include human trafficking in the dance as well.<br />
<br />
It is the violation of women and children's freedom of choice. It is rape for money. It is exploitation.<br />
<br />
Let's stand & DANCE and say enough is enough for those who are being raped and sold and used for the benefit and pleasure of another.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.democracynow.org/embed/story/2013/2/14/one_billion_rising_playwright_eve_ensler" frameborder="0"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-42530813814346158672013-01-31T18:07:00.002-05:002013-01-31T18:07:50.533-05:00What Sarah Can Show Us
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Did you know that human trafficking happened in the Bible? </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Actually, it happened a lot more than you might think...</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Take, for example, Sarah. Sarah was the wife of Abraham. Abraham and Sarah left everything behind to travel to Canaan. The story of God’s relationship with them is extraordinary, but not without its humanness and failure.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
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<span class="s1">Abraham prostitutes his wife not once but twice. Both times out of fear. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">The first time was when they entered Egypt. Sarah was apparently very beautiful (the Bible tells us so in Genesis 12:11). Abraham feared that he would be killed by someone who wanted his very lovely wife, and so tells Sarah, “Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you. (Gen. 12:13).” He did not say, ‘say you are my sister so we do not become separated’ or ‘say you are my sister so that we may both live.’ Instead he asks Sarah to lie so he may be treated well and have his life spared. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">After they enter Egypt, Abraham hands his wife over to Pharaoh. Abraham was indeed treated well and his wife was taken into Pharaoh’s palace.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">The second time, in Genesis 20, was when Abraham and Sarah moved to Gerar. The king of Gerar found Sarah very lovely and once again Abraham handed his wife off to another man to save himself. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">We don’t know what happened to Sarah in Pharaoh’s palace. The Bible does not say how long she was there. In Gerar, we know nothing transpired between her and the king and that Sarah was returned to Abraham the next day after God spoke to the king in a dream.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Twice Sarah was handed over to another man by her husband. Fear can be as much of a coercive measure as force. Abraham chose to rely on his wife’s beauty to save (and further) himself instead of trusting God’s hand in His life. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">But the story does not end there. In a sad twist of irony, Sarah herself became a trafficker in the life of her servant, Hagar. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Sarah herself choses to force Hagar to lie with her husband in order to produce a child. This may have been “culturally acceptable” during that period, but culture often departs from what God says is good and right. The outcome of Sarah’s trafficking of Hagar produced pain and suffering for literally everyone concerned (Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, and both of their children). </span></div>
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<span class="s1">The Bible rarely minces words about sin and human failure. With the story of Sarah and Abraham, we can cover up the parts of their story that make us uncomfortable, or we can use it as a teachable moment in our own quests to become people after God’s own heart, bringing His justice and righteousness to our fallen world. </span><span class="s2"><br />
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<span class="s1">Notice that God chose Abraham to be the father of a great nation. Abraham, a man who handed over his wife to other men, agreed to pressure to produce a child from another woman, and banished his firstborn to keep peace among his warring women. And God chose Sarah to be the mother of that nation. Sarah, a woman who was trafficked and who trafficked another person to bypass His plan. In spite of their deep failures, faithlessness and sin, God redeemed Abraham and Sarah. He is not daunted nor deterred by the mistakes people make.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><br />
God has an amazing way of bringing glory through deep pain, rejection and pride. Sarah’s story is tragic and yet inspiring. The betrayal she experienced by her husband, her pain at being barren, the toll of living a nomadic life, and her use of Hagar as a poor substitute for the failure of her faith, create a story of a complete person who we can relate to - someone who is imperfect and yet used by God for big and mighty things. When we look at Sarah in the entirety of who she is, we see the power of God’s grace and mercy. We see what can become of a life that is marred by such pain. We see how, in the end, the redemption of God works through pain to produce faith, courage, and strength. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-88587562512251490442013-01-31T17:25:00.000-05:002013-01-31T17:25:00.157-05:00HTTF-SC Advocacy Day Info<br />
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<span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Impact; font-size: 18pt;">HTTF-SC Human Trafficking Awareness Advocacy Day<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Impact; font-size: 14pt;">-ONE VOICE for ONE CAUSE to end modern slavery in Colorado-<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">At the Colorado State Capitol, February 21, 2013<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">AGENDA<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Calibri;">Host:</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <wbr></wbr>Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado, Betty Edwards, Chair, </span><a href="http://ht-colorado.org/" target="_blank">ht-colorado.org</a></div>
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<span style="color: #e36c0a;">Legislative Host Committee:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Sen. John Kefalas (D), Sen. Steve King (R), <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span>Rep. Beth McCann (D), Rep. Amy Stephens (R)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Impact;">7:30am to 8:30am <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Legislative Breakfast (breakfast provided for legislators only), </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Old Supreme Court Chambers (citizens may fill in empty seats), </span><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Calibri;">Human Trafficking in Colorado </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">with A.J. Alejano-Steele, Ph.D., Chair, Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking (LCHT)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Impact;">8:30am to 9:00am</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Calibri;">Citizens make appointments or stop by to visit with Legislators</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> in their offices. For a list of Legislator’s contact info and office suite numbers go to </span><a href="http://www.leg.state.co.us/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.leg.state.co.us</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Impact;">9:00am to 10:30am</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Calibri;">Human Trafficking Resolution</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="color: #e36c0a;">presented in the House and Senate</span> by
the Advocacy Day Legislative Host Committee members: Sen. John Kefalas
and Sen. Steve King, Rep. Beth McCann and Rep. Amy Stephens, followed by
comments from fellow House and Senate members. Citizens are welcome in the galley above the House and Senate Chambers.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Impact;">10:30am to 11:30am</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">House and Senate are in Committee<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Impact;">11:45am to 12:30pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Legislative Lunch (lunch provided for legislators only), </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Old Supreme Court Chambers (citizens may fill in empty seats)</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Calibri;">The Road to the End: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, Participation </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Panel of experts, </span>moderated by Raj Chohan, of Baker and Hostetler and former Denver CBS affiliate reporter.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Impact;">12:30pm to 1:15pm</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Calibri;">West Steps Rally</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (press invited)<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brief
music selection from Marta Burton's production "Unbounded: Breaking the
Chains of Modern Slavery" followed by brief comments from a variety
anti-trafficking experts, including Attorney General John Suthers and
Denver Chief of Police Robert White, James Yacone, Special Agent in
Charge of the FBI Denver Division, Beth Klein of Klein and Frank, Brad
Riley of iEmphathize, and Aubrey Terry, Clinical Director of Sarah's
House, along with survivor testimony. <i>Awaiting confirmation of additional speakers</i><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Impact;">1:30pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Official
event program ends. iEmpathize display in Capitol, north of Rotunda,
will continue to be available for viewing until Capitol doors close to
citizens at 3:00pm.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ongoing throughout the Day: <span style="color: #e36c0a;">iEmpathize Display</span> portraying human trafficking in Colorado.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Impact; font-size: 16pt; text-transform: uppercase;">HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Impact; font-size: 16pt; text-transform: uppercase;">HTTF-SC HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS ADVOCACY DAY!<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">February 21, 2013 at the Colorado State Capitol<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Impact; font-size: 21px;">On Advocacy Day</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where do I park, what door do I go in, and how will I know where to go when I enter the building?<u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please
find a Capitol map attached indicating best places to park, directions
to the Capitol from various points and which entrance to use as you
arrive at the Capitol. Our hospitality team will greet you
after you come through security and provide you with all the
information you need to make your way around the Capitol and to enjoy
the scheduled events. You will also receive a packet to give your legislators.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f28125;">What should I do on Advocacy Day while I am at the Capitol?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may participate in as many activities as your schedule allows. Review the Agenda to see what is planned. Please try and accomplish the following while you are at the Capitol on Advocacy Day:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Visit with your legislators</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> for five minutes. (See below for more information.)<u></u><u></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Attend the West Steps Rally</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> on the west steps of the Capitol. (See agenda for details.)<u></u><u></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">See the iEmpathize display</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> portraying human trafficking in Colorado just north of the Rotunda.<u></u><u></u></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f28125;">How long should I plan to stay for Advocacy Day?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can stay for as little time or as much time as you are able! If you can be there for the whole day, you may arrive as early as 7:30am or 8:00am and stay until at least 1:30pm. <u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f28125;">What if I only have two hours to participate in the Day?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you have two hours, plan to arrive at 11:30am and stay until 1:30pm:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At 11:30, go see the iEmpathize display portraying Human Trafficking in Colorado, located just north of the Capitol Rotunda. <u></u><u></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then,
around 12:00 Noon pop into the Legislative Luncheon Program in the Old
Supreme Court Chambers and hear a panel of experts share “The Road to
the End: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, Participation" with a
panel of experts. (Citizens are welcome to fill in empty seats). <u></u><u></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally,
at 12:30, head over to the big event of the day: the West Steps Rally,
where there will be music and brief speeches from key public officials
and agencies as well as non-profit leaders, all passionate to end
trafficking.<u></u><u></u></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f28125;">What if I just have one hour to participate in the Day?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you have one hour, be at the West Steps by 12:30pm for the powerful Human Trafficking Awareness Rally and media event. And make sure you get a chance to go inside and see the iEmpathize display at the north end of the building before you leave.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f28125;">What’s involved in meeting with my legislators?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First, it is important to know that legislators are VERY interested in what concerns their constituents. This gives you an advantage as you approach them to share your passion to see the end of modern slavery in Colorado. Here is what you do:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Make
an appointment with your legislators before Advocacy Day. For your
legislator’s contact information and office suite number go to </span><a href="http://www.leg.state.co.us/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.leg.state.co.us</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <wbr></wbr>.<u></u><u></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If
you are unable to secure an appointment, know where their office is and
try to catch them either in their office (see agenda for possible time
frames), or in the hall as they go from the House or Senate Chambers to
committee, etc.<u></u><u></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Plan
to meet with your legislator for five minutes, respectfully share your
passion to see modern slavery end in Colorado, and ask them to support
improved legislation to fight this heinous crime.<u></u><u></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Give them the Human Trafficking Awareness Advocacy information packet that you received from our Hospitality Team.<u></u><u></u></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f28125;">Are food and beverages available in or around the Capitol?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, there is a cafeteria open to the public on the bottom level of the Capitol. There is also a Panera Grant Street, just a block south of the Capitol and 14th Street.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Impact; font-size: 21px;">Before Advocacy Day</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f28125;">Schedule a time to meet with your legislators!</span><u></u><u></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can look up their contact information and office location within the Capitol online at </span><a href="http://www.leg.state.co.us/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.leg.state.co.us</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <wbr></wbr>and click on contact information at the left. Call their office or send an email and attempt to secure an appointment, or to find out their open office hours for February 21. However, don’t be daunted if you are unable to secure an appointment! See the agenda for suggested ways and times to catch up with your legislators on the Day, or just stop by their office. Your voice counts!<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f28125;">Promote and Invite!</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Request an electronic jpeg version of the Advocacy Day Flyer from </span><a href="mailto:tamrafarah@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">tamrafarah@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> so that you can:<u></u><u></u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Post it to your facebook page and invite your friends<u></u><u></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Email it to your contacts.<u></u><u></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Print
it out (you can copy it in black and white if you prefer) and circulate
to as many people as possible: at your work, your school, your place of
business, your church or house of worship, clubs and organizations in
which you take part, etc.<u></u><u></u></span><br />
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Visit the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Human-Trafficking-Task-Force-of-Southern-Colorado/218376768212890" target="_blank">Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado facebook page</a> - like the page and click on upcoming events. Find <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/537701926257816/?fref=ts" target="_blank">the Advocacy Day event</a>. In the upper right hand corner you have an option to invite your facebook friends to join the event, too.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-89750902306309760382013-01-29T15:31:00.000-05:002013-01-29T15:31:12.418-05:00Motivations for Getting Involved
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<span class="s1">We have spent a lot of time this month talking about how trafficking can be seen in other things. Today we are going to check our motivations and call out one of the most damaging, unhealthy aspects within the trafficking movement. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1">When we use words like ‘rescue’ ‘restore’ ‘save’ etc. we create and perpetuate an unhealthy relationship of savior and victim. It invokes images of someone who is powerless and needs someone else to crash down the wall and rescue them. It implies those involved do not have the willpower or ability to leave on their own. It sets up this exploitative idea that we can somehow save someone else. It conjures up connections with the bad fairy tale messages where the damsel in distress is helpless without her savior prince. If we start from this viewpoint everything else is we do is skewed to this perception. We end up doing more harm than good when we get our role in other people’s lives this off-kilter. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><i>If there is one thing the trafficking movement does not need it is saviors.</i> </b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1">When we come alongside those who have been abused, exploited, hurt, taken advantage of, etc. and ask permission to enter into their stories, we become more of a helpmeet (a helpful partner), who is there for the good and bad as the person<i> needs us to be</i>. It shifts control back to the person affected and puts us in a humble, servant position. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1">When we look at the process of healing for someone affected by violence, we have to be very in-tune with our motivations and preconceptions. We are not here to save anyone. There is one person who can do that fully - and we are not Him. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
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<span class="s1">We can be there to listen, to care, to love, to model healthy relationships. Organizations can be there to provide for the tangible needs and create a safe space. But the process of processing and dealing with what happened must be led by the person who went through it. </span></div>
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<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The simple reality is that the process of deciding to leave an abusive situation, whether its trafficking, a violent relationship, etc. has to be made by the person involved. We cannot chose when the time is right. That decision has to come from the person living it. The choice of how to heal (and when) comes from the person too. The choice of whether to face what was done to them, the betrayal of trust, the prolonged abuse, why they stayed, etc. is a decision only the person affected can make.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">What we can do is be a sounding board, a listening ear, and occasionally a guide. People coming out of trafficking have a long, hard road ahead of them. They need helpmeets to help educate them on what is normal in a relationship, in every day interactions, in dealings with the opposite sex. They need to process and own owning their bodies again. For some they don’t realize what happened to them was wrong. Coming in with humility and love and releasing control of the healing process is the best thing any of us can do.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">When we try and put people on our agenda, with our goals for “success” as the basis for what we do, then we are playing God and can leave those affected more damaged in the process. They will try to meet our agenda and do not adequately process what they have been through.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">There is a lovely poem by Oscar Romero that is the basis for a lot of what we do at LTHF. It is how we approach every program we start. It is a key message with our volunteers and staff. It is only once we come to realize and accept our proper place in others lives that we can fully engage and love people as we should. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Here is a portion of <a href="http://crs-blog.org/oscar-romero-and-the-long-view/" target="_blank">that poem</a>:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="s1"><i>That is what we are about:</i></span><span class="s1"><i>
We plant seeds that one day will grow.</i></span><span class="s1"><i>
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.</i></span><span class="s1"><i>
We lay foundations that will need further development.</i></span><span class="s1"><i>
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.</i></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="s1"><b><i>We cannot do everything and</i></b></span><span class="s1"><b><i>
there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.</i></b></span><span class="s1"><b><i>
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.</i></b></span><span class="s1"><b><i>
It may be incomplete,</i></b></span><span class="s1"><b><i>
but it is a beginning, a step along the way,</i></b></span><span class="s1"><b><i>
an opportunity for God’s grace to enter and do the rest.</i></b></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="s1"><i>We may never see the end results,</i></span><span class="s1"><i>
but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.</i></span><span class="s1"><i>
We are workers, not master builders,</i></span><span class="s1"><i>
ministers, not messiahs.</i></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="s1"><i>We are prophets of a future not our own.</i></span></blockquote>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">It is a hard and difficult thing to look at motivations. We have to get beyond the simple desire ‘to do good’ and ‘help others’ to the real reason WHY we are helping. A lot of times we long to save others due to unresolved hurts in our own life. We want to control others and protect them and rescue them - even when these are not attitudes we want someone displaying in our life, with our pain. Why do we assume an attitude towards someone affected by violence that we do not want placed on ourselves? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKri-1jpOWf1FqI_q0pHqHXbXxl2x2izTtVXd0vsXX0p_SQj0HNUI1wsD4YEezvL54WyHvq5a-A2DKwo3ZUzCBMdRNA_qjCzeqB5iZYjkRw91RSWknUCv6hn3n__sLnawFuPq7UbzDgot/s1600/Wall+-+GoftG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKri-1jpOWf1FqI_q0pHqHXbXxl2x2izTtVXd0vsXX0p_SQj0HNUI1wsD4YEezvL54WyHvq5a-A2DKwo3ZUzCBMdRNA_qjCzeqB5iZYjkRw91RSWknUCv6hn3n__sLnawFuPq7UbzDgot/s320/Wall+-+GoftG.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">It starts with language. Take time and actually reflect on how organizations and individuals talk about who they serve. Are they saviors? Or are they messengers? Are they playing God or do they realize their proper role in other people’s lives? Do they rescue and save or do they come alongside and let the person affected take the lead? How do they treat their clients? Do they put them on parade to make money or do they respect their humanity and dignity and hold their lives and stories as something remarkable and precious? </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Then look at your response. Is volunteering with an organization about you or them? What are the emotions you get from the work you do? Why are you doing it? </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Finally, and maybe this is really step 1: look back at your own life. For so many of us, we can provide the most out of our own scars and pain and where we have been. But that will only happen if we stop, surrender and process our own experiences. We cannot give what we do not have. So how can we become a helpmeet to someone else, walking alongside them through the process of healthy healing, eventually able to use their experience to become a helpmeet for others, when we have not taken the time to look our own past in the eye and say, “Enough!”? </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">It is a vital and continuing conversation. But as people who love and work alongside those affected by violence it is one we must have in an open, real and honest manner. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-1453593121330770342013-01-15T16:35:00.003-05:002013-01-15T16:35:32.875-05:00Porn & Trafficking
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">One of the greatest myths around human trafficking and pornography is that they are two separate and distinct issues. This is purely and simply untrue. Without porn there would be no sex trafficking. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Read that again: </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1"><b><i>If there was no porn, there would be no sex trafficking. </i></b></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">According to ABC News, the porn industry has become a $10 BILLION dollar machine. “(B)igger than the NFL, the NBA and Major League Baseball combined.” (<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=132001&page=1" target="_blank">ABCNews</a>) To think all of that money is being made without the exploitation of those involved is to deny what is right in front of our faces. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">We often refer to porn as the gateway to trafficking, both for the person being exploited and the purchaser. What that means is that before someone is bought on the street (or through Craig’s List or Backpage, sold by a pimp, etc.) the person purchasing them (the purchaser, buyer, exploiter, etc.) has gotten used to the idea as people as commodities thanks to the images (print and video) they have witnessed.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Let’s break the myth that all people who pose for Playboy or are in porn movies are there voluntarily. And let’s stop making those girls the bad guy. It is the simple logic of human exploitation all around: if there were no purchasers, there would be no trafficking. So let’s turn the finger around at those who buy porn and those who make it and stop placing the blame on those trapped in it. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s3"><u>Girls Next Door</u></span><span class="s1"> is the worse perpetuator of this myth because it makes people think that if you want to be in Playboy you get to live in a mini mansion, and, if you are lucky, end up in Hugh’s harem (ew!) and live the highlife. What it fails to show is the severe level of exploitation and abuse that happens to many of the girls who attempt to use magazines like Playboy to further their career. The modeling ploy is one of the biggest scams pimps run to get girls. They play on a girl’s desire to make it as a model to exploit them.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">People often try to pacify this reality by saying that she willingly posed, or that is it just a photograph. But, it’s not. In this day and age a photograph lives forever. And <b><i>HOW</i></b> that photo got taken and <b><i>HOW</i></b> it is being used matters. She might have consented to having a picture taken, but she did not consent to having it possibly photoshopped, sold to magazines and used around the world for buyers to get off on. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">In the situation of film porn the issue become even more complicated. It is possible that women can be filmed and not know, have that video sold and then they become the victim of trafficking.<i> And women are trafficked specifically to be used in porn</i>. So, in some ways, porn can be seen as rape that millions of people buy and use for pleasure. Pretty vile, right? </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">But what about the buyers? The people who are the only reason porn exists and make it a $10 billion industry. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The thing about porn and those who view it, is that it can become an addiction. And as with any other addiction you need more of the product to get the same effect. So this spirals into more frequent viewing and then deeper and darker story lines and when that fails then it becomes going to strip clubs and then buying another human being. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">When I was in Cambodia, porn sold for .25 cents. The rate of child abuse was extremely high because fathers wanted to test out what they had seen in the videos and their child was the closet girl around. It’s unimaginable. But with the addiction of porn and the steady stream of viewing, eventually the person will need more than what the viewing and self-gratification can bring them. Studies have shown that women being prostituted have had a purchaser ask them to do something they saw in porn. <span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The other aspect of the porn industry that is rarely discussed is the use of alcohol and drugs to keep women dependent on their pimps (thereby ensuring they will do one more scene to get their fix on a drug their pimp got them hooked on), the pressure of boyfriends to perform and do, and the escalation from photo to film to being sold. There is also a huge number of children being used in porn. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Remember, the definition of trafficking does not not limit the action to sex alone. Any sexual activity - which includes stripping, sex acts, the production of materials, etc. are all forms of sexual exploitation according to TVPA (<a href="http://www.state.gov/j/tip/laws/)/"><span class="s2">http://www.state.gov/j/tip/laws/) </span></a></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The point is, that if we are ever to truly address human trafficking we HAVE TO address porn. And that is hard, because to address porn we have to look at who is buying it and why. We have to stop making the participants the issue and focus on the purchasers. Because the simple reality is that if no one was buying Playboy they would stop making it. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">So, where do we go from here? Some final thoughts on combating this issue.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<ol class="ol1">
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">The church needs to step up and in an mature way address this issue. It’s not an easy one to talk about, but how many more people have to be exploited before pastors take a bold stand and hold their congregations accountable? </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">We need to break the lie that <b><i>every</i></b> man looks at porn therefore its ok. Because one it is simple untrue that every man does it. And even if that was true, it doesn’t make it okay. </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Men can do a lot to hold their friends accountable by helping to bring it back around that the person on the screen is really a person and not a commodity. </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">We need to stand up and loudly fight the idea that porn is victimless. As we have seen above that is not true. </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Porn addiction does not only affect men. Let’s create a safe place for women who struggle to find a place to get support. </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">Talk to our kids about porn. Talk to them about why is it isn’t okay to view it, about how it harms others and how it doesn’t “make you a man” to do so. You’re really a man if you stand up against it. </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">We need to get a root causes. WHY IS PORN SO PROFITABLE? I think it has a lot to do with boredom and the dulling of our senses and being over stimulated. It also ties into gender roles, but we’ll get to that some other time. </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">There are people who are being exploited who return home at night and struggle alone. Reaching out to people, openly and without judgement is HUGE. Becoming that safe place is key, which means we have to stop being so self-centered and reach out to those who we don’t know. </span></li>
<li class="li1"><span class="s1">When you hear a friend, family member, fellow church-goer bashing the victim, politely correct them and inform them that without a buyer there would be no porn. As long as we keep the action of porn on the participant and not on the buyer we will never get this addressed. She is the easy target, but let’s look at who is keeping her enslaved. </span></li>
</ol>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I would encourage you to read <a href="http://www.morethandesire.com/"><span class="s2">http://www.morethandesire.com</span></a>/. It is a beautifully written blog (and now a book) about a wife whose husband viewed porn and what it did to their marriage and their walk back from it. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Also, Dirty Girl Ministries (<a href="http://dirtygirlsministries.com/"><span class="s2">http://dirtygirlsministries.com</span></a>/) is for women who have been trapped in porn addiction. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Further links:</span></div>
<div class="p3">
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.covenanteyes.com/2011/09/07/the-connections-between-pornography-and-sex-trafficking/">http://www.covenanteyes.com/2011/09/07/the-connections-between-pornography-and-sex-trafficking/</a> (Covenant Eyes) </li>
<li><a href="https://www.shelleylubben.com/pornstars">https://www.shelleylubben.com/pornstars</a> (Shelley Lubben's website)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/porn/etc/script.html">www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/porn/etc/script.html</a> (PBS story on porn in America)</li>
<li>http://www.uri.edu/artsci/wms/hughes/ (Donna Hughes' website) </li>
</ul>
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-45165722286662283002013-01-08T11:20:00.001-05:002013-01-08T11:20:22.989-05:00Advocacy UpdatesWe hope you have been following our 52 days of Advocacy on Facebook. We are partnering with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Human-Trafficking-Task-Force-of-Southern-Colorado/218376768212890?group_id=0" target="_blank">The Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Unlock-Freedom/556482014368734?group_id=0" target="_blank">Unlock Freedom</a> to bring you safety tips to protect your children, ways to engage in the anti-trafficking movement from prevention to rest<span class="text_exposed_show">oration,
information on how Human Trafficking is attached to other forms of
abuse and exploitation, posts from survivors and their families, and
event updates and information.</span><br />
<span itemprop="description"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span></span></span><div>
LTHF is posting each Tuesday and Thursday until February 21st. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In case you missed them, here are the posts from last week:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tuesday: The 150th anniversary of the <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Molengo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://let-them-have-faces.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-emancipation-proclamation.html" target="_blank">Emancipation Proclamation</a>.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thursday: Foster Care children are at higher risk for being trafficking. A University of Chicago study found that 46% of foster care
children in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin had run away from care at
some point in time. There are also a high number of those in foster care
who "phase out" of the system and end up homeless because no other
options exist. Experts state that most runaways are trafficked within 48
hours of being on the street.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today: Victims of child abuse can become victims of trafficking. A study by Donna
Hughes at the University of Rhode Island found that
anywhere from 50-75% of women being prostituted where physically abused as
children. 65 - 80% were victims of child sexual abuse, rape, or incest. Hughes
correlates the two by saying, “Incest is boot camp” for prostitution. What if
we did more to intervene in situations of child abuse? What if we fought harder
and were more diligent in looking for the signs of abuse in children? What if
we did more to stop child abuse, could that have an affect on the number of
women being exploited?</div>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stay with us until February 21st via our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/399094910171554/?__req=k" target="_blank">Facebook group</a>. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-76975415281381856892013-01-01T10:32:00.001-05:002013-01-01T10:41:58.078-05:00The Emancipation Proclamation<br />
Today marks the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The proclamation declared <span class="bodytext">
"<i>that all persons held as slaves (within the rebellious states) are,
and henceforward shall be free.</i>" </span><br />
<br />
<span class="bodytext">While there were limitations within the proclamation, it was a turning point, one that shifted the war towards an idea of freedom and started the process towards equality for those enslaved. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="bodytext">Over the next couple years several states abolished slavery, culminating in the </span>passing of the<span class="orangebig"> thirteenth amendment on January 31, 1865. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LetThemHaveFaces" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPZLu9HwA8VXCtWbtdwtXgVnlqwtze4FqNIK8zBnwl-a78PXJhvjFctB5kefBjkvDusOjnzv8iIuq4fZ1tdCMuFhqY8hguPt6YtGmopG2oLKo_oaZUO8IPCKC5g2iWzofOtnY49Inllu_/s320/Lincoln.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span class="orangebig"><br /></span>
<span class="orangebig">The 13th amendment </span>states that, "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for
crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist
within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."<br />
<br />
As the civil rights movement progressed and we struggled to recover and move on as a nation, many believed that the disgrace of slavery had been abolished. But, as we reflect 150 years later, we sadly have to admit that is far from true.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Human slavery is alive today. </b> </div>
<br />
Estimates put the number between 12 million and 27 million people who are currently enslaved, around 100,000 or more in the U.S. But because slavery masks itself as other things we don't often recognize or appropriately respond to it. The sad reality is that slavery is becoming more prevalent and accepted. <br />
<br />
So what is <a href="http://www.state.gov/j/tip/what/index.htm" target="_blank">modern slavery</a>? It can be forced labor, sex trafficking, forced child labor, debt bondage or involuntary servitude. It is the exploitation of one person by another. It is the denial of our shared humanity. It is a twisted system of confusing worth for profit. It is the process of de-humanizing someone into a commodity that can be used, again and again, whether for sexual acts, harvesting food, cleaning hotel rooms, begging for money or mining for minerals. It is diverse and tragic and the only way to miss it is not to look for it. <br />
<br />
Irishman Edmund Burke famously said, "<i>All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing</i>."<br />
<br />
It is a hard reality to face and one that is understandably overwhelming. In this day of crisis and pain bombarded at us 24/7 it might be easy to question why we would need to do anything. Slavery is not our problem. But...it is.<br />
<br />
From the clothing we buy, to the coffee we drink, the cell phone we use and what our children watch on the internet, it is our problem. It is our problem because the person on the other side is someone's sister, daughter, son, mother, or brother. They have dreams, goals and hopes for their life that extends far beyond the situation they currently find themselves in. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/science/civil-war-toll-up-by-20-percent-in-new-estimate.html?pagewanted=all" target="_blank">One estimate</a> says that 750,000 men died in the Civil War. They died in a conflict that, ultimately, became about the freedom of others. 750,000 men fought and did not come home so that slavery would be abolished. Maybe the Civil War was the first step and its up to us now to take the charge and finish the battle. <br />
<br />
So, what can you do? The first step is to realize that we in the U.S. (and around the world) have a serious problem with slavery. The second step is to let it sink in that it is happening to <i>our children,</i> in <i>our neighborhood. </i>But then take a deep breath and acknowledge in a loud and powerful voice<i><b> that we can do something about it!</b></i><br />
<br />
Join us for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/399094910171554/" target="_blank">52 days</a> to learn what you can do. We'll be sharing information, tips, stories, how trafficking masks itself in other kinds of abusive situations and how you can utilize what you are already doing to make a tremendous difference.<br />
<br />
<i><b>We would love to have you join us in our quest. </b></i><br />
<br />
Please check out our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LetThemHaveFaces" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for daily updates. <i><b> </b></i> <br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Sources:</i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/" target="_blank">Emancipation Proclamation</a> via The National Archives</i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/timeline/1866.html" target="_blank">Slavery Timeline</a> via PBS</i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/13thamendment.html" target="_blank">13th Amendment Resources</a> via Library of Congress</i><br />
<i><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/02/opinion/02sat3.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Slavery in the Modern Age</a> - NYTimes</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-86966192497746151302012-12-31T16:05:00.001-05:002012-12-31T16:05:15.156-05:0052 days of advocacy<span class="userContent">Starting tomorrow we are participating in 52
days of advocacy and awareness about human trafficking leading up to the
Advocacy Day at the state capitol on February 21, 2013. </span><div>
<span class="userContent"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="userContent">We are partnering
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-81850550260543285992012-12-28T12:00:00.000-05:002012-12-30T17:02:26.911-05:00Playground<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5LIRC3QI4ENpMA59pYuS5WrPRwcb9UpZuEHKO8yUhObOi-Z_O5F6LHWhmHHg0PgTfHybyG2oc-1pCr-H4H36ST6e3J2ixINFJ6asW-ZwPjILXlEh7aP9jAcU4n_ofFmpJS3QNQQwfngJ/s1600/12-days-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5LIRC3QI4ENpMA59pYuS5WrPRwcb9UpZuEHKO8yUhObOi-Z_O5F6LHWhmHHg0PgTfHybyG2oc-1pCr-H4H36ST6e3J2ixINFJ6asW-ZwPjILXlEh7aP9jAcU4n_ofFmpJS3QNQQwfngJ/s200/12-days-4.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>
In April we screened <i><a href="http://campaign13.org/playground-the-film/" target="_blank">Playground</a> </i>in hopes of starting the conversation about the exploitation of children in our community.<br />
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<i>Playground</i> follows the filmmaker's quest to find Michelle, a girl trafficked to Canada when she was 12. Michelle was found and sent to live with a foster care family, but ran away and was re-trafficked several more times. While the filmmaker shares her quest, the film does an excellent job of discussing just what is happening in our country.<br />
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<i>Playground</i> looks at the reality that the exploitation of children is not just an international problem, but one we must start discussing in real terms here is the U.S.<br />
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We were privileged to have a panel of local experts to discuss the issue. We had a forensic nurse speak to the trends they see in the ER, a CASA advocate on the role (both positive and negative) foster care can play, a major voice in the anti-trafficking movement on what can be done. A local FBI victims' specialist gave a broader perspective, and finally Colorado AG John Suthers spoke about what his priorities are related to this issue.<br />
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It was a hard night, yet in the end everyone felt more empowered to do something. It was a step that we hope to build upon in 2013.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tQ05nDgpNgE" width="400"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215458201180669169.post-83355007342472613162012-12-27T10:27:00.000-05:002012-12-30T16:47:15.472-05:00Unlikely Alliances <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSur11MBSGP0Yr5crQgaon2Q_ZmXf64wyftsdu7jGLwHGv1JoqFNhCQVFc5WvmCLqY-JANi_tpkMq1Vw9sJ7zsduroB56MFLwtqdU-YX2Dz41S4h9_g6p1jAkyzltKERyZu6vZclgW42CK/s1600/12-days-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSur11MBSGP0Yr5crQgaon2Q_ZmXf64wyftsdu7jGLwHGv1JoqFNhCQVFc5WvmCLqY-JANi_tpkMq1Vw9sJ7zsduroB56MFLwtqdU-YX2Dz41S4h9_g6p1jAkyzltKERyZu6vZclgW42CK/s200/12-days-3.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>
We were blessed this year to make contact with two Eagle Scouts! When they heard about LTHF and what we do, especially through <a href="http://let-them-have-faces.blogspot.com/p/her-shoes.html" target="_blank">Her Shoes</a> they were excited to partner with us for the Eagle Scout Project.<br />
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T. decided to focus on the foster children's fund and what the kids need when they change homes. He collected 24 duffel bags and over 60 fleece blankets!<br />
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S. wanted to collect Christmas gifts for the older boys in foster care. He did 20 bags with games, socks, etc. in them.<br />
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It is the smallest acts that can have the most powerful impact. It is the things we do for people we will never meet that can create the greatest impressions. It is hard to imagine that a 16 year old boy only wants new socks and other basic amenities for Christmas, but for kids who have so little, a bag of supplies just for them can make all the difference.<br />
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And the impact doesn't only affect those who receive the gifts. The ability to discuss what we do and why we collect these items impacted the scouts as well.<br />
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<i>If you have someone who has a service project for a church, school assignment or organization, please let us know!</i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00682326196723715642noreply@blogger.com