Chest of Hope Magazine

CHEST of HOPE CHEST of HOPE

Hope & Justice Hope & Justice in the Fight Against in the Fight Against Human Trafficking Human Trafficking

A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

WheredoIbegin?

I will start by saying a heartful Thank You to My Staff, the newly appointed board, and to everyone who donated, bought a ticket to an event we held, Love club donors, community partners, and community supports who donatedtheirtimeandin-kinddonations,andthelistgoeson.

As I reflect on the past year, it was very challenging yet, very fulfilling, I decided to answer yet another call for this time to open an emergency shelter, and for a while, it seemed like we would never find a home to accommodate our request. Still, we did find we were behind schedule, but we did it before 2022wasoverandworkeddiligentlytogetitdone.

We, the board and staff, are extremely grateful for this accomplishment; we continue to strive to providenothingbutexcellentservicetothoseinourcareandbeexemplaryinallthatwedo.

SoIhopeyoucanrallyaroundushereattheChestofHopeandlendyoursupportinanywaypossible; weappreciateallyourkindgestures.

IwanttoextendaverywonderfulNewYeargreetingfromourorganizationtoyouandyours.Ipraythat wewillallbevictoriousinwhateverchallengesbefallusin2023.

Merlyn Pittman

Chest of Hope sends a warm thank you to The Women of the Moose, Lodge #1720 for providing gifts to children residing in our family homes.

Chest of Hope would like to thank Melissa Corso of "Making Scents with Melissa," who donated "Scentsy Buddies" to the children residing at Chest of Hope.

Hope & Justice Hope & Justice in the Fight Against in the Fight Against Human Trafficking Human Trafficking

“January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the United States. Across the world, there are estimated to be almost 25 million victims at any given time. The Department of Homeland Security is tasked with securing the nation from the many threats it faces, including the crime of human trafficking The Department defines human trafficking as “the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act” Human traffickers prey on adults and children of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities, exploiting them for profit Research shows that human trafficking can happen in any community, and victims can be of any age, race,gender,ornationality

It happens in San Joaquin County. In the 2021 Data Report provided by the San Joaquin County District Attorney'sOffice,therewere180stalking/humantraffickingcases.InApril2021,ABC10newsreportedthatfiftyseven people were arrested after being accused of operating a sex trafficking operation. 17 law enforcement agencies, spearheaded by Lathrop Police Services, worked on the sting operation from April 12 to 16 arresting predatorswhothoughttheyweremeetingupwitha13-year-oldchild Storieslikethishappenacrossournation and are all too common in California California is one of the largest sites for human trafficking, with numbers steadily climbing for sex and labor cases According to the State of California Department of Justice's website, humantraffickingisamongtheworld'sfastest-growingcriminalenterprises Itisestimatedtobea$150billiona-year global industry. "It is modern-day slavery that profits from exploiting our most vulnerable populations."

Legislating Hope

Transforming Legislation To Transform Lives

HUMAN TRAFFICKING:

CA PENAL CODE 236.1

California Penal Code 236.1 PC human trafficking definition depends on the subsection of the relevant statute but is generally defined as:

Anyone who deprives or violates the personal liberty of someone else with intent to obtain forced labor or services, procure the person for commercial sex, or exploit them in an obscene matter, is guilty of human trafficking.

Penalties can vary depending on which subsection has been violated. Currently, all PC 236.1 violations are felonies carrying a minimum sentence of 12 years, formal felony probation and up to a 500,000 fine.

Chest of Hope has been confronting human trafficking and domestic violence in San Joaquin County for over a decade, offering comprehensive services to victims and families in need Services include counseling, legal assistance, food, clothing, transitional housing,andmore

Earlier this month, Chest of Hope opened its emergency shelter and offered a tour of the new facility to one of its community partners, The Family Justice Center Alexis Wilbur, ProgramManagerfortheSanJoaquinCounty Family Justice Center, run by the District Attorney’s Office, toured the facility Wilbur explained what The Family Justice Center is andwhyitsupportsChestofHopeanditsnew emergencyfacility. "A Family Justice Center is a collaborative model of service delivery that brings together a range of resources and support services under one roof to better serve victims of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, Sexual Assault, Elder Abuse, Child Abuse, and Stalking The goal of a Family Justice Center is to provide comprehensive and coordinated support to individuals and families affected by abuse, helping them feel safe and supported as they seek help and rebuildtheirlives

We strive to provide comprehensive, coordinated support services that meet the unique needs of each survivor, which may include counseling, advocacy, and support for housing, employment, and other needs We are committed to working with survivors to develop personalized safety plans and to provide them with the tools and resources they need to build healthy, thriving lives Chest of Hope offers numerous programs that enable survivors to rebuildandthrive"

The Family Justice Center donated several large bags of clothing to Chest of Hope to help support the needs of future residents When asked about the opening of Hope's Place and the need for emergency housing for victims of abuse in San Joaquin, Wilbur replied, "Housing is the number one issue that we face as a service provider for people experiencing domestic violence and other forms of abuse Nationwide, there is an affordable housing crisis.TheopeningofHope’sPlaceprovideswomen and children experiencing domestic violence an immediate place of safety and shelter until they can decompress and figure out their next step. Chest of Hope has continued to answer the call for victimsandsurvivorsinSanJoaquinCounty."

The local Walmart also generously donated newclothingtohelpsupportHope'sPlace Executive Director Merlyn Pittman stated, "Sometimes victims cometouswithnothingexcept

the clothing on their backs."

Hope's Place has been on Chest of Hope's list of goals for some time, as the organization has felt the need for increased housing options for those facing crises. Wilbur commended Chest of Hope for opening the emergency housing facility

"Housing is the number one issue we face as a service provider for people experiencing domestic violence and other forms of abuse Nationwide, there is an affordable housing crisis. The opening of Hope’s Place provides women and children experiencing domestic violence an immediate place of safety and shelter until they can decompress and figure out their next step. Chest of Hope has continued to answer the call for victims and survivors in San Joaquin County."

Hope's Place opened its doors to clients just after the New Year. We asked Wilbur what her hope was for those needing services from Chest of Hope and the Family Justice Center "At the San Joaquin County Family Justice Center, we believe in the power of hope, healing, and resilience. We are dedicated to standing with survivors on their journey toward safety, independence, and well-being Sometimes taking the first step of reaching out is hard. My hope is that those who receive services from FJC and COH feel supported, valued, and strengthened by our staff and services We always tell people, “we are here when you are ready.”

In light of January being Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Wilbur added, "If you suspect that someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, it is important to report it to the authorities or to a trusted organization, such as the San Joaquin County Family Justice Center or Chest of Hope, that can provide help and support. You can also contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 for confidential assistance and referrals to local resources.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

BY GERILYN MARTINFEATHERSTON

Safety and Awareness Tips

First and foremost, you need to be aware that it happens in the U S in all 50 states and “safe” neighborhoods and to anyone Human Trafficking profits are over $150 billion dollars per year, with approximately 49 1 million people enslaved as of 2021, with less than 1% found and returned home These are real numbers from federal agencies here and abroad

Warning signs of Human Trafficking

· They display evidence of controlling or dominating relationships They are not in control of their money or are not being paid for work

·They are hesitant to answer questions about illness or injury

· Secretive about jobs or missing classes

These are some of the signs and behaviors of someone being trafficked and here are how you can keep safe.

· Encourage healthy behaviors and relationships

· Be aware of your surroundings at all times Don’t overshare online

· Foster safe homes and neighborhoods

· Learn and know the warning signs of trafficking Again, these are some tips for awareness and safety and understanding the signs and behaviors are part of the equation, everyone must also get help from police, hotline or federal authorities when you see or suspect trafficking is happening. Learn more about Human Trafficking on our website www chestofhope org or www dhs gov/blue-campaign

McDonalds' made a bold statement years ago when it partnered with San Joaquin County's DA Office to help combat human trafficking in the valley. Today, McDonald's across the country is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who visits their restaurants. While their iconic blue lights are not specifically intended to represent a safe place for victims of human trafficking, McDonald's is actively involved in supporting organizations and initiatives that fight against human trafficking. Abiding by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and guided by internationally recognized standards, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the International Bill of Human Rights, and the principles set out in the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, McDonald's provides their employees with extensive resources and training to help identify potential victims and report suspected incidents of human trafficking. Additionally, the company holds all of its partners to a very strict standard of ethics concerning labor recruitment. According to McDonald's corporate policy, as stated on their website, "McDonald’s does not engage in human trafficking or exploitation and works diligently to prevent the importation of goods tainted by slavery or human trafficking, conducting heightened human rights due diligence in higher risk geographies. The Company is committed to eliminating forced labor in its business and supply chain. The Company does not use any form of a slave, forced, bonded, indentured or involuntary prison labor."

McDonald's continues to work to raise awareness of the issues in their community and is developing new ways to support the fight against human trafficking. To learn more about Mcdonald's and its policies on human rights, please visit https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-purpose-and-impact/jobs-inclusion-andempowerment/human-rights.html

THE BLUE LIGHTNING INITIATIVE THE BLUE LIGHTNING INITIATIVE

Aviation Against Human Trafficking

If you've been in the lavatory of an airplane, you may have noticed an obscure yet important sign that advises passengers that help is available if they are on the plane against their will The Blue Light Initiative (BLI) is an element of the Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign The BLI trains aviation industry personnel to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement. More than 200,000 personnel in the aviation industry have been trained through the BLI, and actionable tips continue to be reported to law enforcement.

All major airlines and aviation industry organizations are encouraged to post the Blue Lightning Initiative poster, indicator card, or basic Blue Campaign human trafficking awareness materials inside aircraft to educate passengers to recognize and report human trafficking.

The efforts to include the aviation industry as a part of the solution to human trafficking have not been in vain In 2017, Sheila Federick, a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines, reported her suspicions about a disheveled teenage girl and her older male counterpart on a flight from Seattle to San Francisco. Reporting those suspicions led to the arrest of the male for human trafficking. Last year, a New York man was charged with human trafficking and other crimes after being stopped at Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport

To learn more about how the DHS is combating human trafficking with its Blue Lightning Initiative, please visit: https://www.eckertseamans.com/stay-informed/blogs/aviation/information-ondhs-blue-lightning-initiative-to-combat-human-trafficking

Join Chest of Hope and thousands across the country in the fight against human trafficking by supporting #WearBlueDay! On #WearBlueDay, snap a selfie, share a video, or group photo wearing blue for awareness and prevention of human trafficking, tag us, and share! To learn more about Chest of Hope and how you can help us in our mission to support victims of human trafficking and domestic violence in San Joaquin County, please visit chestofhope org or call our office at 209 831 7889 #ChestOfHope #humantraffickingawareness #sanjoaquincounty #WearBlueDay

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is recognized each year on January 11th Chest of Hope is proud to stand against human trafficking and raise awareness by supporting #WearBlueDay. Bring awareness to this crime by participating in #WearBlueDay on January 11. Learn more about @DHSBlueCampaign’s mission and this crime: dhs.gov/blue-campaign/wearblueday