Recently the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking (LCHT) released The Colorado Project 2023. It’s a statewide action plan to guide Colorado’s Anti-Trafficking Movement.

What did LCHT find by interviewing all of the networking groups and organizations addressing trafficking in Colorado? All of our staff took part in these interview/surveys, so we’re interested, and think you could be, too.

Their recommendations address:
1)     Survivor engagement
2)     Prevention
3)     On-going training for all addressing trafficking
4)     Train others
5)     Learn how to avoid re-traumatization
6)     Share expertise, experiences and goals with others
7)     Prioritize housing

At Reclaiming Hope we listen to the Survivors we work with, taking their input into account in our planning and communications. We’ve started planning to train all of our volunteers. It’s already mandatory (on an on-going basis) for all staff.

And in October we opened our 3rd apartment – a further commitment to prioritize safe housing for the Survivors we walk alongside. (You can now receive extra tax credits for donations to our Housing Program!)

We’re committed to working with others, recognizing that we can’t addresses the complex needs of those we walk with on our own. That’s why we’re now the home of the monthly meetings for the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado (more below), which meets the second Tuesday each month at 5:45 p.m.

We’re grateful for all who work with us to address these various aspects of trafficking. Let us know if you’re ready to help us do more!

To read more about the LCHT Colorado Project 2023, go to: The Colorado Project 2023 – Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking 

Our friends at the Springs Rescue have just released the book Meeting Homelessness with Hope. One Community’s Response. In it, they uncover the complexities of homelessness, and the importance of making hope possible. Of helping each person realize they have worth. It’s another worthy read.

As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to thank you for walking with us – by reading this newsletter, by volunteering, giving financially and praying. We are grateful for you.

Blessings,

— Sues Hess, Exec. Dir. and the Reclaiming Hope Team