SOCIAL
THE FIGHT AGAINST
HUMAN TRAFFICKING WRITTEN BY
Thrya Chaney
The Renee Jones Empowerment Center combats the ever present issue of human trafficking in the Northeast Ohio area in a unique way, offering countless resources for those affected by human trafficking
A
t a first glance, the flowerbedded facade
boxes of Dunkin Donuts. The building is without air
of t he Renee Jones Empower ment
conditioning, so strategically placed box fans blew
Center, at 1340 West 65th Street in
on high all summer long. The heat was no large
Cleveland, does not give much away as
sacrifice when one considers the work being done
to what goes on behind it. Within the
in this space everyday.
building’s four colorfully painted walls, decorated
Renee Jones founded the RJEC in 2002, inspired
with uplifting and empowering artwork, is a place
by the success of The Mastermind Alliance, her first
where people who have undergone unspeakable
endeavor in 1998 which succeeded in empowering
cruelty, abuse, and manipulation are able to feel
78 people to transition from homelessness to self
safe, respected, and understood—which is no small
sufficiency. She has devoted her time, energy, and
feat. The artwork is from art therapy sessions, one
tireless focus into becoming a leader in the fight
of the many forms of holistic rehabilitation that the
against human trafficking in Northeast Ohio. What
Renee Jones Empowerment Center offers victims of
makes the RJEC a place that victims and survivors
human trafficking and sexual abuse. I have been
of human trafficking can trust enough to come back
lucky enough to have had the opportunity to work
to is the personal aspect of everything that goes on
with this organization as a youth advocate and to
there. To everyone who walks in that door, Renee
see, firsthand, how the hard work and dedication
Jones is a friend. Renee understands how important
of the people in this space have been a strong and
trust is to people affected by trafficking situations,
positive force in the fight against human trafficking
and utilizes every method she can think of to reach
in Northeast Ohio.
anyone who is in need of the services that the center
Renee Jones tirelessly oversees the entire operation
37 | VINDICATOR
is able to provide.
from a small office in the back of the building. Traci
Renee Jones is a strong believer in the idea that
Grasso, the only employee of the RJEC, works out of a
not everything works for everyone, but everyone has
small makeshift cubicle just a couple feet away from
something that works for them. The RJEC provides
the conference table. The conference table has been
a wide range of holistic treatments for victims of
host to countless support groups, therapy sessions,
trafficking or assault such as art therapy, dance
meetings with organizations and delegations, and
therapy, journaling, and horse therapy. Those in