True stories of hope!
Articles:
- White House Meeting
- A life restored, a daughter spared
- Mission: ESCAPE
- Your story can go on forever
- JuST Conference 2019
- Renting Lacy
Shared Hope was recently invited to an important White House meeting regarding the issue of human trafficking where we shared your heart for prevention, restoration, and justice.
We provided strategic recommendations at the leading policy table on how the federal government could better support us in our crucial work together and contribute more effectively to the fight …
- Raising issues of criminal enforcement of sex trafficking laws against buyers and traffickers,
- Protections for and empowerment of survivors,
- Prevention efforts in the U.S. and globally,
- And more!
It’s one more way your impact is being felt and your voice heard in the fight against sex trafficking.
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The U.S. State Department asked Shared Hope some 13 years ago to investigate Jamaica’s notorious sex trafficking industry.
During that process, we met a remarkable woman named Christina. She was keeping babies and young pregnant girls in her home because society had no place for them.
But there are far more young mothers and far more babies than Christina could take in. She dreamed of doing more.
And we wanted to help.
Today, Hebron House is a beacon of hope in Jamaica, where young mothers and their babies can be safe — and life can start over.
In the Jamaican culture, impoverished parents often “rent out” their daughter to any man who can afford to pay. Rape and bondage situations are also common in these communities.
A girl I’ll call Selena was the first arrival in Christina’s home. She had a seven-month-old daughter, Julessa (in yellow then, in the flowered shirt now!), in her arms.
Selena’s life was restored. Mother and daughter thrived. This past fall, Selena returned — not because she was in trouble, but because she wanted to help.
She is now assisting Christina in managing Hebron House! Her help was needed, because the residence is full, and growing. And it will now grow further, thanks to remodeling — made possible by generous friends like you. Hebron House will be home to more young mothers and babies than ever before.
Selena (in the blue shirt, with director Christina in white) has now come full circle! She’s there for girls she totally understands. And the cycle of a life in trafficking has been broken for her own daughter.
***
Escape from the brothel.
This is the primary goal of our ministry in Pune, India — to help mothers and children trapped in India’s infamous sex trafficking culture.
Our strategy is straightforward: We offer the children a safe, loving home, because their mothers can’t.
Many mothers, grieving to see their children spending their childhood in the dark, hopeless, violent world of the brothel, are overjoyed to let our Village of Hope care for their children.
Over time, mothers save money (with our guidance); they grow in confidence — and they ultimately escape the brothel … to be reunited with their children.
Our Village of Hope ministry is thriving! And thanks to you, we helped them build a house — a permanent, stable home for the children in their care. Like the little girl we’ll call Diya….
Diya was only 2 when we found her. She was a beggar on the streets of the brothel: dirty, covered with lice, and no adult to protect her.
Her mother, Prisha, struggled with mental illness. (Today, Prisha has stabilized somewhat, but she still only comes in and out of Diya’s life.)
When little Diya was picked up off the brothel streets, her head had to be shaved to get rid of the lice. She was brought into our Village of Hope where she now lives and thrives.
As we celebrated the home’s 10-year anniversary in April, we celebrated Diya’s new life too. She has a future — because friends like you are willing to support Shared Hope so generously!
You’re providing a permanent, stable home for the children. Thank you!
***
After your lifetime, your legacy continues.
You can make it one that gives hope and changes lives.
Let your last will and testament reflect your commitment to vulnerable adults, youth, and children targeted by the sex trafficking industry.
You can make a lasting impact — through prevention, restoration, and bringing justice — by including Shared Hope in your will.
Some friends choose to leave a specific amount. Others find it more convenient to leave a percentage of their estate, designated for disbursement after the passing of the surviving spouse. Still others choose to give a significant portion of the remainder of their IRA, since this total will not be diminished by taxes.
In the meantime, you can make a powerful personal impact on the fight against sex trafficking — and improve your tax situation — by planning your end-of-year giving now.
Some great opportunities:
- If you’re 70½ years of age or older, you can donate up to $100,000 as a rollover from your IRA this year and not add a penny to your taxable income — and this also counts as part of your required minimum distributions.
- When you donate appreciated assets, like stocks or property that you have held for a year or more, you receive a charitable giving deduction for the fair market value of the asset, and often avoid capital gains tax, too.
- Give from your Donor Advised Fund, or DAF. After you’ve established your DAF by putting in appreciated stocks and securities (thereby avoiding capital gains taxes, and receiving an immediate tax deduction), you can distribute gifts to Shared Hope from the DAF anytime. You can make a generous contribution with no shifting or transferring of funds or assets, and no red tape.
- Donate funds or non-cash assets. You can write a check, or you may find that donating stocks, real estate, or a portion of your business to be the best strategic option — because capital gains and other taxes are avoided.
For more information on including Shared Hope in your will, or regarding any of these planned-giving options, contact Bonnie Ager at 866-437-5433 or bonnie@sharedhope.org.
Thank you for standing with Shared Hope in the fight against sex trafficking, and the crucial work of prevention, restoration, and bringing justice!
***
Our October 2019 JuST Conference in Cincinnati is expected to be our largest and most impactful professional training event ever — an unforgettable and inspiring time focused on today’s most pressing anti-trafficking issues. Presentations and workshops will zero in on:
- Skill-building
- Survivor experiences
- Cross-discipline collaboration
- Task force development
- Case studies
- Lessons learned
- And more!
Why attend the JuST Conference? Because every person has a role to play in preventing and ending commercial sexual exploitation — and a collaborative community response is critical.
Registration is now open. Make your plans today! Click here to register or learn more.
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Discover how girls are lured and trapped in the darkness of the trafficking underworld. This incredible book by Linda Smith tells the story of America’s prostituted children … and what you can do to bring them into the light and hope of a brighter future!
Please help us continue reaching out to survivors of the terrible crime of sex trafficking — loving them and doing all we can to bring them justice and restore their lives.