Thursday, January 29, 2015

Partner Trip - Vision of Hope - February 28, 2015





Thousands of people came to the city that summer day for the annual Air & Water Show. A handful of us had traveled by van into the city that same day, but not for entertainment. We had come to see first hand how several groups were tackling the seemingly overwhelming task of making a dent in the world of sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Our first stop was New Moms – a beautiful new building that felt welcoming and warm as soon as we entered. It is a place where young, at-risk pregnant single moms can stay for 2 years as they learn basic life skills; including parenting and job skills. The waiting list to get in is long, and those who do get in express their desire to stay beyond the two years. It was not hard to see why as we toured the facility and heard of the brokenness the young women came out of. What an oasis of hope and second chances this place is.

Our next stop was at Emmaus House, where they reach out to men who are sexually exploited. The outreach includes going out on the streets to meet with them EVERY night, all year long, no matter the weather, because that’s what “their” guys have to do, and if their guys are out there, then they are out there. It was moving and humbling to hear of that depth of caring – that these men would know they are not forgotten and that they matter. Wow. Emmaus also provides family style meals, and is a place for the men to hang out and be safe and accepted. And while the facility itself was quite humble, the care and love found there was quite rich.

We had lunch at Inspirations Kitchen in Uptown. Not only does Inspiration Kitchen serve amazing food (at reasonable prices), it is run by individuals needing a second chance; some of them formerly homeless or incarcerated. From there we went to Cornerstone Shelter, which reaches out to the homeless in the Uptown Community and provides emergency shelter to families.

It was all incredibly profound, moving, humbling, inspiring. So much need – right here, in our own backyard – and so much dedication, care and determination in those we met that day.  People, who are indeed, making a difference, one life at a time. A reminder that each of us can make a difference, each of us can make a dent in this fight against human trafficking/exploitation.

Join us on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28th as we embark on another Partner Visit trip. Come and see first hand organizations that are fighting human trafficking and helping those at risk. The trip may include visits to:

  • Pastor Choco’s Outreach Ministry: Pastor Choco's team prays on the streets with the homeless, trafficking survivors and under-served people in the community, directing them to resources at the Dream Center. At the Dream Center they get connected with faith-based services and programs that help them become self-sufficient.
  • Bright Endeavors: A non-profit enterprise of New Moms Inc., young moms receive employment training here while manufacturing and marketing soy candles and bath products. This provides them a way out of poverty and moves them toward permanent employment.
  • Lydia Home: With a vision of having every child loved and cared for, Lydia Home provides an alternative to state-run foster care and family assistance agencies.
For further details, please email Sam at: samw767@yahoo.com

Upcoming Events:

New Name Call Center – pray for women as we offer resources and outreach over the phone to women posted on online ads. Wednesday, February 4th, 7:30-8:15 pm at Willow Creek Community Church in the Link (F Lot Parking).

Book Discussion Group - We will be discussing A Walk Across the Sun, by Corban Addison. Join us on Wednesday, February 18th, 7:30-9:00 pm at Willow Creek Community Church in the Link (F Lot Parking). For further details, please email Holly at: hkoehler@ameritech.net

Card Making! - Get your creativity on and make cards for our outreach teams to share on their spa visits. Saturday, February 21st at 1:00 pm. For further details, please email Holly at: hkoehler@ameritech.net


Spring Anti-Human Trafficking Community Awareness Form: Ministry Fair! - Representatives from our various local and international partners will present us with opportunities and ways to connect or serve on Wednesday, March 18th at 7:30 pm.

Click on the Calendar of Events tab for the full year calendar!

Friday, January 2, 2015

Tattoos and Trafficking


Founder of INK 180 Chris Baker

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Human Trafficking Learning Community Special Screening:

INK 180 Documentary and Founder Q&A


Saturday, January 24th at 9:30am
Willow Creek Community Church
67 E. Algonquin Rd., Barrington IL
This is a free event and recommended for ages 14+

*Please Park in Lot D to enter in the D main entrance
Walk toward the Lakeside Auditorium to enter the
East Multi Purpose Room on the left, known as the "Garage"


INK 180 is a gripping and challenging documentary on the life and work of Chris Baker. It is a bio of one man ’s inspirational journey down the path of a 180 life change. Chris Baker works with law enforcement agencies to cover-up the tattoos of human trafficking victims.  Since 2011, the ministry exists to offer the opportunity for a real second chance to the least of these, the invisible, the forgotten, the discarded.  Chris provides his time, supplies, artwork, entirely free of charge to the victims. The goal of Ink 180 is to establish a national network of tattoo artists and dermatology groups providing free tattoo cover-ups or removals. Chris was recently highlighted in the U.S. State Department’s 2013Trafficking in Human Person’s Report, page 23, and was an invited guest of Secretary of State John Kerry at the state house dinner and report presentation.


Upcoming Events:

-Justice Awakening Book Discussion: January 14th 7:30-8:30pm at Willow Creek Community church in the Link (F Lot parking)
-Parents! Connect with others in the community learning your child's individual identity and gifts for discussion at Lucky Monk in South Barrington on Saturday January 31 at 3:30-4:30pm. Parents only.
-New Name Call Center, pray for women as we offer resources and outreach over the phone to women posted on online ads. Wednesday February 4th, 7:30-8:15pm at Willow Creek Community Church in the Link (F Lot parking)

Save the Dates:
Saturday February 28th 9am-12:30pm
Visit one of the leading advocates fighting human trafficking on a private tour with us! We will be visiting parnters on the following Saturday Mornings: 2/28; 4/11;8/22! Page will be added soon with tour details!

Spring Anti-Human Trafficking Community Awareness Forum: Ministry Fair!
Representatives from our various local and international partners will fill our hearts with opportunities, education, and ways to connect or serve on Wednesday March 18, 2015 at 7:30pm.

Check the Calendar of Events Page for full year calendar!