Raise awareness of human trafficking ends in Buffalo

     There were hundreds gathered in Niagara Square on Saturday to celebrate Juneteenth. It focuses on what many describe as modern-day slavery. In Buffalo Juneteenth has been celebrated for more than forty years. Buffalo has the first celebration of the day as a national holiday that advocates against human trafficking.  The FreeTHEM Walkers, Cynthia Brown-Long, a human trafficking survivor, encouraged the crowd to remember victims of human trafficking who are still waiting be freed.

    Cynthia was one of several speakers who addressed the crowd in Niagara Square, was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of killing a man when she was 16. There were advocates who argued that the killing was self-defense as she was a sex trafficking victim. She was released from prison in 2019.

    Kelly Galloway a buffalo native and founder of a Christian humanitarian organization known as RAMP Global Missions. Galloway's organization runs Project Mona's House and the FreeTHEM Center. They are dedicated to helping trafficking victims. The goal of Galloway is to celebrate with all the victims and those at risk of becoming victims their "own personal day of freedom" one day. 

Four men wanted for human trafficking

     There are Canada-wide warrants have been issued for four men. It has been a 18 month human trafficking investigation FSOC- North. Under investigation are Billy Glenold-Fleury, 31, Mali Jean, 33, Kenny Jouthe, 30, and Bechir Ben Salah, 32, are charged with trafficking persons. The details relating to the charges laid will be presented as evidence in court. The suspects have ties to Saskatchewan, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia.

    

    Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to contact their local police service, RCMP Detachment or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. The Hotline Response Advocates will connect callers to support. 

There are services and will also take tips, answer questions, and forward information. You can also report suspected human trafficking to your local police service. Also to Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 1-800-222-8477.

902 miles

    Kelly Diane advocates a walk 902 miles in effort to stop human trafficking. It was a 902 mile walk from Virginia to Buffalo. She led a group of walkers called FreeTHEM. It locates from Lynchburg, Virginia, to Buffalo follows the path of the underground railroad. It raises awareness and money to help human trafficking victims. 

    

     

    She feels other should know this is not a trendy experiment for her and that it is personal. This is a fight for others. Doing something new is not what she is trying to accomplish it is to help others that experienced being trafficked. 

    Would you ever be apart of FreeTHEM? These lives need to spoken up about often. Today you can take action to try to help others who been part of human trafficking. 

SouthShore Chamber Of Commerce Collects Hygiene Products

    There are members of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce in Ruskin that collected an assortment of hygiene products like hair brushes, toothbrushes, and more for those being placed in temporary safe shelters through the Campaign Against Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence-South Shore (CAHT) nonprofit organization located in Sun City Center. They have volunteers. CAHT works with multicultural groups. They provide short term housing, referral services, scholarships and mentoring. Robbie Chaplin is the president of campaign against Human Trafficking. 

 

    Melanie Davis, executive director at the South Shore Chamber of Commerce shared how the idea about how members love to help in the community. CAHT still strongly adheres to its mission. The mission is to support the fight against human trafficking as well as related domestic violence issues by offering educational awareness and prevention activities to the community and schools.

    It donates needed funding to law enforcement, at-risk youth, rehabilitation homes, centers and regional anti-human trafficking nonprofits. CAHT will  be awarding 12 $1,000 scholarships to six students at East Bay High School. CAHT  provides scholarships through a program called Pasos al Futuro with Hillsborough County Public Schools to students at Lennard High School.

Break the chains of human trafficking

    A workshop on how to recognize human trafficking and what the public can do was given at the Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center in Litchfield. It was on May 1st, 2021. It was co-sponsored by the Susan B. Anthony Project of Torrington. The program, using stories, statistics and videos. It was eye opening. 

   

    They contacted Amirah, an interfaith nonprofit organization. Amirah provides aftercare for women who have survived sexual exploitation. Safe homes for long-term recovery are in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

    Michael Distefano, the faith and justice director of Amirah, we spoke to these leaders and presented the vision for anti-trafficking training. The need for financial support for the safe homes. Legal support and outpatient care are also provided.

Human trafficking of newborn twins

    A mother of newborn twins and two others were arrested in Gqeberha for alleged human trafficking. This happened during the beginning of June. A woman was looking for her five day old twin girls. She alerted authorities to look for her daughters. 

    

     

    There was a Hawks spokesperson Yolisha Mgolodela announced a team of law enforcement officers followed up on leads which led them to a house in Uitenhage. They found the alleged buyer which was arrested and babies were rescued. The twins were in the hospital for medical attention.

    The twins were dehydrated and needed to be in a safe zone. Also it was reported the alleged buyer was going to apply for a child grant and share a portion to her on a monthly basis. They are getting a follow up court date.

Pantry for human trafficking survivors

    A woman named Nancy Hernandez made a pantry being a resource for survivors of human trafficking because she has experienced it. Nancy came to the United States from Puerto Rico in 1991. She feels her life's mission is to help those in need. In the Seminole Heights location you will find a food pantry. 

        The pantry is kept full with the help of donations and feeding Tampa Bay. Wednesdays and Fridays are the days the pantry is open. There is food and necessities available. 

    

    They have forty three organizations that can help people that are looking for health insurance. There are mental health services, phycologists, and doctors.  Even covid testing is offered. 

    Safe housing and healthcare is available for people. Nancy and others escaped the wrath of human trafficking. She wants to help other survivors. Nancy wants her story to inspire others. She wants people to have hope. Just like she had hope.