January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
It saddens me that we need to highlight this issue to bring awareness to it. Human trafficking is happening everywhere in the US and around the world. It is happening in your town. It may be happening in your neighborhood. The definition of human trafficking is the unlawful act of transporting or coercing people in order to benefit from their work or service, typically in the form of forced labor or sexual exploitation.
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur – Ohio Province has a legacy in human trafficking work through Sr. Joan Krimm. Sr. Joan resides in our health center now, but is still in communication with some of the people she helped when she was active in the work. We look to Sr Joan’s example and recognize the need to support those in the work to fight human trafficking.
Nationally, the SNDdeN’s hold membership in the US Sisters Against Human Trafficking. There are many resources on their website on how to educate yourself about this topic. Locally, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are founding members and continued supporters of the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center. One of IJPC’s ongoing focuses is Human Trafficking. You can find out how you can get involved and what advocacy they are asking of you on the Human Trafficking page of their website.
Stay Active! Stay Engaged!
Teresa Phillips
Director of Office of Justice Peace and Care for Creation
ACTION LIST:
On Tuesday, February 1 at 12:30, the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University is hosting an online public dialogue entitled Faith, Politics, and Policy in 2022: What is a Faithful Agenda Now? Register HERE.
Join a virtual book discussion and conversation with Dr. Kimberly Nicholas, the author of Under the Sky We Make: How to be Human in a Warming World, organized by the Sisters Charity of Nazareth, February 8, 9 - 10:30 a.m. EDT. Register HERE.
Nuns & Nones organized Land Justice Futures: A course for women religious on climate justice, the power of land, and the legacy of community, Thursdays: March 10, March 24, April 7, April 21, & April 28 from 4-5:30pm ET. Register HERE.
Join the Laudato Si' Climate Action Platforms. More info HERE
Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio’s Refugee Resettlement Program will help at least 50 Afghans settle in the area over the next few months. CCSWO needs volunteers and donations of money and household items. Click here for more info.