Human Trafficking Talk Series

January 2021

Wednesday January 27, at 6:30 pm
"An Overview of Human Trafficking"
Location: Zoom
Speaker: Susan Patterson, Prevention Advocate with Through God's Grace Ministry,
 “How You Can Fight Human Trafficking, Over 100 Ways to Make a Difference” (E-Book available free January 15-19, 2021 via Amazon)
Location: Zoom

Human Trafficking is on course to be larger than drug trafficking in the U.S. within two years.  Susan Patterson will speak to what the faith community can do to prevent human trafficking and will give us an overview on Human Trafficking as a whole. 

About the Speaker: Susan Patterson is a national leader in the fight against human trafficking and author of the book “How You Can Fight Human Trafficking, Over 100 Ways to Make a Difference” which has been acclaimed by anti-Human Trafficking advocates nationwide to be one of the best resources out there because it is practical. Her book has also been recommended by the U.S. Conference of Catholic bishops to Catholic communities that want to respond to the call of Pope Frances to take on the fight against human trafficking. Her website Through Gods Grace.com has speaker presentations on several subjects that deal with human trafficking. Her main focus is working with faith communities to facilitate them in taking action in what God has called them to do. She speaks to thousands every year about the dynamics behind Human Trafficking in such a way that the path becomes clear as to where one can use one’s gifts and talents to join the fight. Her latest endeavor, SoCal Faith Coalitions Against Human Trafficking, engages over 200 leaders from faith communities a year, to look at what they could do next in the fight against human trafficking.

February 2021

Monday February 8, 6:30 PM
Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita
Location: Zoom


Join us in prayer of the Rosary this day via zoom to ask for the intercession of St. Josephine to aid all victims of Human Trafficking. St. Josephine was trafficked herself. Historians believe that sometime in February 1877, Josephine was kidnapped by Arab slave traders. Although she was just a child, she was forced to walk barefoot over 600 miles to a slave market in El Obeid. To learn what happened next to this great saint go here.

Thursday, February 25, at 6:30 PM 
"Child Sex Trafficking: What It Is, How to Fight It"

Speakers:
Lisa Lungren, National Education and Outreach Coordinator of Immigration and Anti-Trafficking
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Migration and Refugee Services


Grace Williams Founder, President, & Executive Director of Children of the Immaculate Heart

About the Speakers: Grace received her BA in Applied Linguistics in 2006 from Trinity Western University. She has volunteered in several ministries serving survivors of commercial sexual exploitation, including a Union Gospel Mission, Mary’s Guest House, and the Missionaries of Charity’s Homeless Women’s Shelter. She has attended training with Treasures International, the Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition, and Loren Fardulis of Kairos Youth and Family Services. In October of 2013, Grace founded Children of the Immaculate Heart and since then has served as Executive Director. Grace was, also, the co-chair of the San Diego Board of Supervisors’ Human Trafficking Advisory Council Victim Service Committee from 2015 to 2019.
Lisa Lungren is the National Education and Outreach Coordinator of Immigration and Anti-Trafficking at USCCB/MRS (See below for more background).

March 2021
 

Tuesday March 9, at 6:30 PM
"Become a Shepherd in Your Parish"
Location: Zoom
Speaker: Lisa Lungren, National Education and Outreach Coordinator of Immigration and Anti-Trafficking at the USCCB/MRS

One of the most hidden and vulnerable populations our Church is called to accompany and protect are women, men, and children subjected to forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. Over the last two decades, global understanding of the scope and prevalence of human trafficking has evolved, and with that a mounting concern among U.S. Catholics over the crime’s contempt for the dignity and sanctity of human life. As the papacy, the U.S. Bishops, and our country’s religious sisters amplify their cry against what Pope Francis describes as “a wound against contemporary society,” a growing number of parishioners are anxious to become involved in its eradication. Given the complexity of the issue due to its criminal underpinnings and victims “hidden in plain sight,” Catholics hoping to make a difference can easily become discouraged as they brush up against what can seem an insurmountable challenge. Based on best practices from USCCB’s national BECOME A SHEPHERD outreach programs, and successful examples from parishes around the country, this workshop will offer pragmatic, fresh, and creative responses to operationalize a growing Catholic hunger to effectively fight human trafficking. Diocesan and parish leaders will be equipped with an engaging three-pronged approach to transform empathy for victims into action that is effective and long-lasting. 

About the Speaker: Lisa Lungren is the National Education and Outreach Coordinator of Immigration and Anti-Trafficking at USCCB/MRS. She brings a decade of experience leading and coordinating grassroots outreach, coalition-building in multi- lingual settings, and developing educational resources for varied audiences. Ms. Lungren previously oversaw the development and implementation of multi- and cross sector initiatives in Mexico, Colombia, and Panama to combat illicit activity and promote the rule of law (a culture of lawfulness). The project, which involved faith-based leaders as well as stakeholders from civil society and law enforcement, was recognized by the US Department of State, the World Bank, and the United Nations as an effective crime and corruption prevention strategy. 

Please sign up for the speaker series below: