June 15th Human Trafficking Awareness Forum - Guest Speaker, Becky McDonald

TRAFFICKING IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD

This presentation will focus on trafficking in Chicago with a special emphasis on the newest trends in trafficking.  We’ve long understood our daughters are exponentially at risk.  But two trends are on the rise.  MINOR BOYS are an increasingly growing target and are less likely to report due to the additional shaming and blaming towards sexual abuse victims.  Another trend is trafficking of MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED individuals.  Traffickers, savvy business men and women looking for new profits and easy victims in the fastest growing crime, lure marginalized young people who are physically or mentally challenged.  With the body of a 20 year old but the mind of a child, they are uniquely vulnerable to predators.   This is a carnage of our most precious treasure as a nation…..our children.  This is a clarion call, a WAR cry to circle your cradles…your sons and daughters and our most vulnerable…and fulfill Micah 6:8…the mandate to Do Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly.  Scripture says this is what the Lord “requires” of us, a word that can be translated “worship.” 

The passion of WAR, Int’l is to create circles of protection and safety and whisper worth and dignity back into the lives and hearts of the wounded giving them a safe place to rewrite the stories of their lives.  With partner programs in 48 countries addressing 15 risk issues, we are most known for our fight against one of the 15….trafficking.  Our online store and one in Naperville sell products made by rescued men and women from our safe houses around the world and our preventative programs. 

Our founder, Becky McDonald, has been in the fight to create circles of protection for 3 decades.  Growing up as an American in Pakistan, she was exposed to unique risk issues from an early age.  Today she is a global speaker in many venues including government organizations of Home Land Security, the Pentagon and Dept. of Transportation along with Universities and her favorite…the body of Christ.  By age 14 she had been through two wars and countless coups, but the rape of her 14 year old friend who had acid poured down her throat to silence her cries was used by God to give her a passion to be the voice of the silenced.  WAR, Int’l walks a road of healing passionately creating safe places that are unique and different in each context as culturally sensitive and tailored to each environment and culture with the message of worth and dignity.

Wednesday, June 15th, 7:30-8:30

Guest Central

Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington

Come ready to shop with purpose! 

Items from WAR Chest Boutique will be available for purchase.

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Get Connected:

humantrafficking@willowcreek.org

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, June 1st, 7:30 pm at Willow Creek Community Church in the Link (F Lot Parking). For more information, contact Cheryl Csiky at: ccsiky@willowcreek.org.

Scarves for Outreach:

Do you knit or crochet? We are asking for donations of hand-made scarves for our outreach gift bags once again! No pattern requirements, (“girly” is great!) but we do ask the scarves are prayed over as they are made. Scarves are needed by: September 1^st. Please contact, Holly at hkoehler@wcservingvolunteer.org for details.

Save The Date:
 July 9^th 9:30 am – 2:30 pm: FIGHT Conference

The FIGHT conference is dedicated to raising awareness, establishing collaborative networks, and equipping volunteers to engage in the FIGHT.  Online registration begins May 1^st.
New Life Covenant Church | 2250 W Highland, Elgin
 
July 20^th 7:30-9:00 pm - Summer Movie: “8 Days”

Inspired by actual events, the independent film “8 Days” revolves around 16-year-old Amber Stevens, who goes missing after sneaking to a party with her friends. Amber is forced into the world of sex trafficking and her family and community fight to get her back.

August 4^th and 5^th:  Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force Conference
IIT Chicago-Ken College of Law | 565 West Adams Street, Chicago, IL

August 17^th  7:30-9:00 pm -Summer Movie with Freedom Firm: “Horse and Rider”

“Horse and Rider” is a feature-length documentary that follows the tangled memories of two survivors of sex trafficking living and working in Freedom Firm’s aftercare program. Join these two young women as they share their traumatic experiences and start down the path of restoration.