Happy new year from Reclaiming Hope! As we round out Human Trafficking Awareness Month, it’s important to ask ourselves: What can we commit to DOING this year to support the restoration and healing of human trafficking survivors? 

For some of us, that looks like giving monetarily. This newsletter contains our 2020 Annual Report, which shares details on how we used our donations and funds last year. (I’m proud to share we put 63% toward filling and shipping 1,069 Restoration Bags across the country, and 21% toward our survivor mentorship program.) 

For many of us, combating human trafficking looks like education. This year, we’ll be sharing more resources on what trafficking looks like and how to talk about it. When you have the chance to inform someone (a coworker, church group, family member) about the problem facing so many women, men, girls and boys right here in Colorado, and around the world, feel free to forward our newsletter, share our resources and provide ways to make simple changes to a daily routine in order to address the issue. 

One example of this is changing the way we think about Valentine’s Day, or just one simple component of it: chocolate. 

In 2010, major U.S. chocolate companies, including The Hershey Company, Mars and Nestlé, vowed to cut 70% of child labor by 2020; however, a report published in October 2020 revealed child labor involved in cocoa-growing communities has actually increased 15% over the last ten years: about 1.56 million children from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are reported to be inside the chocolate supply chain. 

This Valentine’s Day, consider the people involved in harvesting and making your chocolate. Download the “Better World Shopper” App (Apple and Android) to see how child labor may be involved in your chocolate or other consumer products. Do a search for “Fair Trade Chocolate Colorado Springs” to find alternative options for the classic holiday treat. Here’s a grade list for companies who make chocolate:



And while we’re talking about a “classic Valentine’s Day,” remember this day can be triggering for many survivors of trafficking and domestic violence. Because we’re already in the middle of a pandemic, consider forgoing the traditional restaurant date and shop to fill a Restoration Bag instead. 

Finally, for many of us reading these words, committing to the Reclaiming Hope mission means spending time in prayer. We believe prayer is the most powerful force for interceding in this world and bringing healing to survivors… and also those who perpetuate the trafficking industry. Prayer transforms the world and the one on his or her knees. 

For survivors of trafficking and/or domestic violence, we encourage inquiring about our Family Trauma Therapy Group starting this year with a local trauma specialist. We’d also like to invite women interested in becoming a mentor to look into our program and sign up to interview before February. We will be holding our next mentor training on February 6. 

May the year ahead be filled with sharing of the Good News and transforming our daily actions to bless those around us. We look forward joining you in this journey. 

In Christ, 
Sues Hess 
Executive Director

IN THE NEWS

Reclaiming Hope LAUNCHING FAMILY SUPPORT
Our organization is providing a space for healing among family members of survivors, and those supporting victims. It will be a place to not only talk about what they’re going through but also work through their experiences.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH IN COLORADO
Human trafficking is a crime and can happen in any Colorado community. If you suspect human trafficking is happening to you, or someone you know or have seen, get help. Call anonymously 24/7 at 866-455-5075 or the text between noon and midnight 720-999-9724.

WOODLAND PARK SURVIVOR TO SERVE ON U.S. ADVISORY COUNCIL
Jennisue Jessen, human trafficking survivor and co-founder of an international organization that helps restore survivors, will now offer her expertise as a member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. The council provides a formal platform for trafficking survivors to advise and make recommendations on federal anti-trafficking policies to the president’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

 
PRAYER REQUESTS 
  • Pray for every human trafficking survivor experiencing adverse effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We pray for continued resources to support those in our Mentor Program. 
  • Please join us in praise! We accomplished a lot in 2020, and we pray our supporters continue praying and giving to this incredible mission in our next year of service!
  • Pray for the families who join our Family Support group seeking healing for their own trauma.
  • Our next Mentor Training is February 6. Please pray for new mentees to be matched well with the new mentors. 

DOWNLOAD OUR ANNUAL REPORT

We did a lot in 2020. Check out the work online!