SAFE CHR MAGAZINE, Q1 2022

Photo by Eugenia Porechenskaya

An Accredited NGO with Special Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

Q1 2022

Magazine

Photo by Marianna Lupina

Table of Contents OUTLINE           

Mission Statement………………………..…….3 Human Trafficking Hotline……………….....….4 Programs………………………………..……….5 Our Project Directors…………………..……….8 Get to Know Us: SAFECHR Board……….…10  Upcoming Events: Quarter 2 and 3 World Day Against Human Trafficking........... 12 September Run for Women……………...........13 October Women Who Win Fundraiser.............14 Executive Director/COO Corner……………….15 Spiritual Corner………………………………….16 President’s Corner………………………….…...18

Mission Statement The mission of SAFECHR is to protect the human dignity of trafficked persons globally

through education, prevention,

.

and rehabilitation programs.

-name Photo by Merethe

NORTHWEST INDIANA HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE

Prevention Programs TRAININGS

TRAININGS - 2

SAFECHR has held four

On April 5, 2022, we trained 20

Credentialing Program)

trainings between January and

Rotarians at the Munster Rotary

The SAFE iACT Program

April 2022.

Club on Human Trafficking in

was developed in 2015 /

On March 15, Dr Gopal

Indiana.

2016 in response to the

presented at the Chesterton –

establish standards in

Porter-Rotary Club on the

On April 23, 2022, a trio of

topic of human Trafficking in

trainers, including Dr PM Nair,

Indiana to 20 Rotarians.

former Indian Police Service and

Comments such as “this

National Head of National

public policy makers,

opened our eyes” and ”we

Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

legislators, clergy, and

need more training in our

who has trained over 70,000

lay public.

schools” were welcomed with

stakeholders, rescued over

follow up questions about

50,000 victims since 1982 trained

Ashley’s House.

Indiana Fire, Police, and EMTs as

SAFE iACT (International Antitrafficking

training of human trafficking advocates, clinicians, law enforcement, attorneys,

Training Coordinator: HonZoe@safechr.org 219-378-7161 x 103 https://safechr.org/iactcertification/

well as Secret Service at St. On March 19, SAFECHR

Mary’s Hospital in Hobart.

hosted a United Nations Side Panel Event entitled

One outcome of this training is

“Achieving Gender Equity in

the establishment of the FIRST

the Context of Conflict,

Anti-Human Trafficking (AHTU)

Program is an e-learning

Religion and Enslavement had

Core Personnel at the Gary

8 module course as well

participants worldwide. 150

Police Department and Hobart

as an in-person

attendees participated and the

Fire Department. SAFECHR will

classroom resiliency

link is available on our

continue to recruit and establish

website:

AHTUs across Northwest Indiana.

The SAFE Schools

training program for school aged youth.

https://safechr.org/medianews/

Research & Educational Programs Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

BILLBOARDS AND

Revision

SAFE CONFERENCES

In 2020, the team at

In October 2014, the first

SAFECHR in collaboration

SAFE Conference was

with Mid-America

held and broadcast to 10

Thanks to a generous

nations around the world,

grant from the Indiana

the ACE-R questionnaire

with 100 attendees. SAFE

Criminal Justice Institute

draft to patients attending the

2016, 2018 and 2019

outpatient clinics in order to

followed growing from the

billboards will be seen in

assist doctors with

initial 10 nations being

May-September around

Psychological and Counseling Services gave

understanding the patients’ histories. In a chart review

represented to 73 nations

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

(ICJI) 38 posters and 8

Northwest Indiana

subsequently, patients

creating powerful

namely, in East

reported histories of child

collaborations between

Chicago, Gary,

sexual abuse, bullying, sex

various NGOS.

Route 51 to reach the

trafficking, migration stress, parental stressors, and interpersonal displacement.

Out of these preliminary findings, a full-scale study is

Hammond, Route 20,

During the first quarter of 2022 the SAFECHR Board agreed to postpone to

buyers as well as the victims of sex trafficking in Strip Clubs. Social media is also being

being launched around 25

2023 due to the

sites with two sites currently

uncertainty of the COVID-

used to target in order to

identified to launch the first

19 pandemic.

educate patrons of strip

phase. An IRB protocol is being prepared at this time for submission in June with the formal study beginning in the Fall.

clubs. Visit: Call for Proposals will be out in November 2023

https://safechr.org/public -awareness/ For Survivors:

STAY TUNED!

https://safechr.org/for-su rvivors/

Rehabilitation Programs

SAFE Villages

AH Director of Operations

During this first quarter of

T.H.R.I.V.E. (Therapeutic

Ashley’s House welcomed

Housing Response to

our new Program Director

Individuals from Vulnerable

of Operations who will

Environments)

report directly to the

with anti-human trafficking

Executive Director/Chief

units in the Indian

Operating Officer,

Subcontinent. Land is

Dr Vijaikumar Dharla.

being purchased in scenic

The THRIVE Program began in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several

2022, we developed collaborative relationships

stretches with the goal to

single working women and families became homeless

Our AH-DO comes with

build the first SAFE Village

and at risk for human

several years of experience

in India at the cost of 1.5

working with the

CR. Exploration teams

Department of Children

have been set up as well

During the first quarter of

Services.

as a multidisciplinary team

2022, Ashley’s House has

You can reach Sandy

of local and experienced

taken in two families with

Brown at:

experts.

children ages 16, 14, 9, 4, 1

219-738-7161 x 102

Within mainland USA, land

trafficking. ASHLEY’S HOUSE Is our first therapeutic house.

years old, three adults, and discharged one family and two adults to higher tier of care and to independent living with

has been identified for ADA COMPLIANCE Thanks to a generous grant

transition hotel paid by us for

from the Indiana Criminal

a week.

Justice Institute, Ashley’s House is going to be ADA

To reach Sandy Brown, LCW Ashley’s House Director of Operations call: 219-378-7161 x 102

Compliant by September 2022. We will accept

partnership in developing a SAFE Village for trafficked girls and refugees.

Meetings are being set up for the second quarter of 2022. To be a part of this effort complete the

individuals with disabilities such as visual impairments, gait issues requiring wheelchair access.

volunteer form at : https://safechr.org/volunt eer

SAFECHR Program Directors

iACT Training

Ashley’s House

NWI-HT Social Media Campaign

Honorable Zoe Bakoko

Sandra Dee Brown/Seabold,

Bakoru is a former Cabinet

Dr Desila Rosetti, MSA,

LSW has worked with the

Minister from Uganda and

Business, is the President,

Department of Children

our Survivor Director for the

ODS, your partner in

Services, Indiana since

International Anti-Human

organizational and

2002. She has trained

Trafficking Credentialing

personal improvement.

newbies, written manuals for

Training Program.

She has developed the

policies and procedures for

Respected at the United

incisive and socio-

DCS and remains in close

Nations as a powerful

contact with her clients.

culturally conscious

presence and speaker on migration, poverty, girls’

Sandy, as she is

rights, human trafficking,

affectionately known is a

and gender inequity among

treasure-trove of

her many visionary and

informational resources.

exemplary talents. Email:

Email:

HonZoe@safechr.org

Ashleyhouse@safechr.org.

SAFECHR Social Media Campaign on Human Trafficking through her vast experience, knowledge, and extensive collaborations and connections with area marketing experts and organizations.

SAFECHR Program Directors

ACE-Revised Research

SAFE Schools

Spiritual Program

Dr Michele McCarroll is our

Dr Sandra Demos-Kelley,

Reverend Charles

very skilled and highly

LCSW, EdD has over 35

Strietelmeier is a deeply

accomplished Project Director

years of experience

compassionate and kind

of the Multinational

working with high-risk

human being who practices

multicultural study on the Revision of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire developed by Drs Gopal and Felitti. She is currently the North Texas Division Director of Research at HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education. She is President and Strength-Based Solutions, LLC. drmccarroll@safechr.org

youth in inner city Chicago and Englewood schools. She is the coauthor of SAFE Schools:.

She brings in her European Greek cultural values and flair for teaching teachers and Principals and students into her work at SAFECHR. Email: Drsandra@safechr.org

what he preaches – a rarity in this day and age. He has developed SAFECHR’s Spiritual Education program which encompasses a trauma informed model of delivery of spiritual education. A former Pastor at the Augustana Lutheran Church, he works closely with residents at Ashley’s House. Email: Charleswooly@aol.com

Our Board of Directors

Mrs. Irene Clements is the Chair, EveryChild, Inc., Advisory Board Member, NCTSN, Board Member, Creating A Family, Public Policy Chair, Texas Foster Family Association, Public Policy Chair, COAC of Texas

Mark Price| TREASURER Edward Jones - Financial Advisor Executive Director, Illiana Search and Rescue, Indiana

Dr. Janice C. Hodge, LCPC SECRETARY, has served eleven years as the Regional Certification Chair with The American Association of Pastoral Counselors. She has returned to service as the Board President for the Coalition of Illinois Counselor Organizations (CICO-IL.org).

Rev. Charles Strietelmeier “Trying to be Retired” with Longfellow SAFECHR Spiritual Director Augustana Lutheran Church, Hobart, Indiana

Hon. Zoe is the Former Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development. Hon. Bakoko Bakoru was a Member of Parliament in Uganda (Woman; Arua District 1996-2001, and Ayivu Constituency 20012006). Delaware

Sharron Liggins, EdD, MSN, RN, MA

Executive Director, Continuum of Care, REGION 1, Indiana

Our Board of Directors

Ms. Jane Mrvan Immuno-Oncology Specialist at BristolMyers Squib’ Purdue University, BS, Dietetics/ Dietician

Saket Sinha, MD Internal Medicine | Geriatrics President, Housecall Doctors P.C. Phone: (219) 750-9497

Judge Mary Elizabeth (MEB) Bullock Title IX/VII Expert Higher Education/Civil Rights Advocacy/World Peace Ambassador USA/Federal Civil Rights Judge (Ret.)//Trauma Victim Witness Advocate/ADA Coordinator/Author California

Indiana/Illinois

Illinois/Indiana

Jennifer Consilvio, MA Accounting and Finance

Meredith Niklas, MBA

Kalyani Gopal, PhD, HSPP

Vice President Finance | Chief Financial Officer, BrightView Landscapes | Past Corporate Director of Finance, Hyatt Hotels Corporation Washington, DC

President, SAFECHR President, APA – Division 12 | President, Mid-America Psych & Counseling Services, PC Indiana

Chief Financial Officer at Uncommon Schools | Past Chief Financial Officer, ACLU New York

J U LY 3 0 , 2 0 2 2 : N O R T H W E S T I N D I A N A U N W O R L D DAY A GA I N S T T R A F F I C K I N G I N P E R S O N S

Lorem Ipsum dolor sit NWI UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2022

July 28, 2022 4 – 7 PM

On Thursday, July 28, 2022, Northwest Indiana will be celebrating the second World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

PROGRAM 4 PM: Cocktails / Coalition Building 4 PM: Kids Corner: Face Painting/Dress-up

We are honored to announce that our keynote Speaker is Congressman, Rep. Frank J Mrvan, representing Indiana’s First District.

4:45 PM: Welcome Address 5 PM: Keynote Speech Rep. Frank J. Mrvan

SPONSORSHIPS Dinner: 4 @ $1000 (front row, banner, rolling credits, website) T- Shirts: 10 @ $500 (free to all attendees, preferred rows, banner, credits, website) Bar Sponsors: 12 @ $250 (banner, credits, website 2023 Calendars 12 @ $100 by June 30; credits, website) Friends of SAFECHR @$25 annual memberships Contact: Dr Dharla. Drdharla@safechr.org

5:15 PM: Invited Speakers | Experts 6:15 PM: Buffet Dinner Raffle | Coffee Shop) Giveaways | Door Prizes | Face Painting | Dress Up | Become a SAFECHR Ambassador Booths @ $25 each. Limit 15

SAVE THE DATE

September Run For Mom September, 10, 2022 (date subject to change) Rain Date: September 24, 2022

SAVE THE DATE! HELP WOMEN WIN!

OCTOBER 27, 2022

From the Desk of Executive Director /Chief Operating Officer, Dr. V. Dharla Dear Members, Since many of you don't know me, I would like to introduce myself to you all. I am a Medical doctor who has been affiliated with Safechr for about 5 years. I SAFECHR was inspired by the passion of Dr. Kalyani Gopal when she introduced me to

Executive

the organization. I was impressed by the hard work she put in almost single- Director and handedly. I felt that I should help in whatever little way I can. Since joining I Chief Operating have been hearing of the impact this is having all over the world, not just in

Officer

India or the US. Trafficking has been in the National and International News in Phone: (219) the US, INDIA, and the UN too. Most of us have seen this being shown in 670-3200 movies, but forget about it soon after, and never gave it a serious thought.

Trafficking has destroyed many families; it is an evil that is hard to eradicate but we as a team have started on the right footing. It is our consistent effort that will help mitigate it. Trafficking is of the three kinds which most of us are aware, Sex is one of them; but Forced Labor is the most common in the world, and Bondage of different types especially monetary is another.. We have to identify people in trouble and save them in time before they commit suicide or are killed by ruthless pimps. There are many challenges in the process that we will be facing along the way. We have to get trained and learn to handle every case in a professional manner since most of us are from varied backgrounds. I personally have made my services available, as and when needed. I hope all of us realize its importance in the communities where we live and work and keep an eye on exploited victims of this evil and give a little of ourselves.

I sincerely hope to be able to meet with you all at some time or other and put our hearts and minds together to help the affected.

Sincerely, Vijaikumar Dharla, MD

“Service to mankind is service to God.”

Spiritual Corner by Reverend Charles Strietelmeier Their conversation was even rougher than usual. They were talking right past each other, and both were getting frustrated. Finally, he looked across the table and said, “Did I ever tell you about the girl who spent her entire childhood in a basement?”

“What?. That’s crazy.”

“Yeah, well, it’s all she knew. Concrete walls and floor, water from the sink, the drain for a toilet. Food kind of appeared, or she could rustle up something from the deep freeze. She got to know the furnace very well, and the washer/dryer. But she was comfortable. She found some old sheets and blankets to make a soft spot in the corner, and she made up a little game of finding hidden pictures in the wood grain on the floor joists.”

“Was she alone?”

“Nah, she and the furnace guy became great friends when he came down a couple times a year to make an inspection and change the filter. And she talked to the people who came down to wash their clothes if they were in the mood. Most of them seemed nice.”

“How long did that go on?”

“Then one day a guy came in and he figured it out – figured out that she had lived in that basement all her life.

‘My God, you have missed so much,’ he shouted.

‘What are you talking about?’ she said.

‘Well, you don’t know how good the sun feels on your back the first warm day of spring.’

‘What’s the sun?’

‘It’s like a light bulb but way better. It’s a big ball of fire in up high.’

‘I have a perfectly good light bulb. I don’t need a better one. And don’t talk to me about a ball of fire above me. What if it falls on me and burns me?’

‘It’s not like that. It’s – listen, the wind. You’ve never felt a cool wind blowing in your face on a hot day.’

‘Is that like moving air? Because I hate it when the air moves. That means it’s going to get really cold down here and then I have to sit right up by the furnace and the flames scare me.’

‘Well, wouldn’t you like to have people around you all the time instead of just now and then?’

‘That’s stupid. People don’t do that. They come down to fix the furnace and wash clothes. Why would they hang around?’

“And then it hit him. He was talking to the girl about things she could never understand because she had never experienced anything like them in her world. All he could do was try to persuade her that other people’s worlds were very different for hers. And then maybe he could get her to calm down enough, and trust him enough, that she’d be willing to come out of the basement to see what he was talking about.”

“Well, did he? Did she come out of that basement?”

“Don’t know yet. You’re the girl.”

From the Desk of the President, Dr Kalyani Gopal

This quarter has been very busy as always with new residents in Ashley’s House, welcoming a new Executive Director for SAFECHR, settling in our New Director of Ashley’s House Operations, Ms. Sandy Brown, LSW. We are delighted to introduce a new member to our Ashley’s House Team, the Honorable Zoe - a survivor and iconic leader in the field of human trafficking. Truly blessed to have all these wonderful and dedicated individuals.

We have seen progress on all fronts of our award-winning programs. First, at Ashley’s House we have taken in and discharged 4 families and moved in three new families. Currently, we have a young mother of five, and an older lady with disabilities, as well and expecting to move in an expectant mother of one small child as well as a Veteran. Thanks to our sponsors, the Crown Point Foundation, Foundation of East Chicago, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), Catholic Charities Food Supply, Mid-America’s clinicians, and most importantly our landlord for Ashley’s House and SAFECHR benefactor – Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and our special Angel – Sister Mary Ellen Goeller, we have been able to be sustainable over the past year and a half.

Our SAFE Village has an exciting development in India. We are scouting for land and have an endowment from the Mrs. Prema Gopal Charity Trust of 1.5 Crores ($200,000 approx.). We hope to start taking in 20 youth, 10 girls and 10 boys in the Fall 2022. Thank you, Dr PM Nair, Girdhar Joshi (Dr Josh), Prof. Mazumdar, Ms. Vinita Aggarwal, Mr. Vikas Aggarwal, Dr Jaganath Pati, Ishaan Sharma, and Dr. Dharla.

Our Social Media has taken off this quarter with two of the EIGHT billboards going up in Northwest Indiana and we are grateful to ICJI and Project Director, Dr Rosetti. Our SAFE iACT training program resulted in the creation of TWO Anti-human trafficking Units (AHTU) in Gary Police and Hobart Fire and Police Departments in NWI. We look forward to providing more updates! Thank you for believing in our survivors and helping us empower them with the therapeutic treatment and wrap around services.

Sincerely, Kalyani Gopal, PhD, HSPP