HIDDEN HOMETOWNStacy HEROES Schaffer WHO: Stacy Schaffer WHAT: 31:8 Project WHY: Proverbs 31:8 says “speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves”. From this comes the primary focus of the 31:8 Project. By spreading awareness of human trafficking “We want to equip the general public to be the eyes and the ears in the community because we know that they are out and about seeing things. If you don’t have the right tools and resources how do you know how to approach the issue of human trafficking?” says Stacy.
Heroes #1 In 2006, Stacy went to hear a speaker at the University of Mary for extra credit. The topic for that evening was on modern day slavery. “I was so compelled by what he had to say, and also really thrown off. I had always been a person who was very strong when it came to human rights and slavery, including what it had done to our society,” says Stacy. Stacy learned that night that we really haven't gotten away from slavery. In fact, it was worse. It was at that moment that she realized she wanted to do more. Stacey quit her fulltime job and became a full-time volunteer.
Over the last 12 years, Stacy has worked locally, nationally and internationally on this topic. She also works on ways to reduce the demand for human trafficking though her position at the University of Mary as the Demand Reduction Program Coordinator for the Criminal Justice Program. “As I meet survivors, I see a success story. If we can then have them share their stories, those are even bigger successes,” says Stacy. Want more? @318project www.318project.org
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