Monday we will enjoy celebrating Labor Day – honoring the value of hard work and the dignity of being able to work.

Unfortunately, there’s a dark side to labor: over 25 million people are working as slaves, many among industries that are integral to our commercial lifestyles. Industries like agriculture, construction, domestic work, manufacturing and hospitality. Labor trafficking generates approximately $150 billion in illegal profits annually.

Sex trafficking is considered a subset of labor trafficking. Both take advantage of victims in the midst of our communities. Labor trafficking can be hard to identify until you learn what to look for: jobs that are dangerous, degrading and devoid of fair pay or legal protection. Simply put: many work in what we consider inhumane conditions.

So, what can each of us do to address labor trafficking?

1) Increase awareness and become educated on the issue: www.laborrights.org, or the TIP report: 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report – United States Department of State

2) Support ethical brands – those who do not use slave labor to produce their products. You can find a list of companies at the following apps: Sweat and Toil; Good on You; Better World Shopper.

A Survivor reviewed our Job Readiness program – and we’re ready to “roll it out!” This curriculum is designed to help Survivors of Sex Trafficking be prepared to find and work at jobs where they can build their futures. Jobs where they are proud of what they do, where they are no longer taken advantage of.

Introducing our newest staff member, Andrea Kohlman:

Andrea was first confronted with the idea of trafficking in the early 1990’s when reading a modern-day retelling of the story of Hosea; that kind of story was very foreign to the healthy, Christian upbringing that she had experienced.

She married young, but the cycle of alcoholism/substance abuse/etc. led her to divorce and raise her 3 kids on her own. In 2010, she married Paul, who adopted her children. Blending their families prompted Andrea to study a Christian healing modality, exposing her to healing of severe trauma.

After 20 years of providing childcare, Paul and Andrea began a career together in real estate. Through Peak Producers they learned about Reclaiming Hope. In 2023, Andrea heard about Reclaiming Hope’s new office space – and need for a stager. While helping figure out use of space/furnishings, she learned that we were seeking a part-time Community Relations Director. She immediately felt a pull that this position was for her. She joined staff in July 2024.

She looks forward to bringing awareness and understanding to our community as well as connecting others to opportunities to come alongside survivors and bring true Hope!

Please join us for our annual fundraising dinner, October 11 (details below).

And we invite you to join the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado, which meets in our office (615 Wooten Road) the 2nd Tuesday each month, 5:45-7:15 pm!

We are grateful for all who support us – through time, donations, holding donation drives, and prayers. You make our work possible.

Blessings,

Sues Hess, Exec. Dir., and the RHope Team

What Can I Do?

Attend Our Fundraising Dinner

Our fundraising dinner is October 11th, 2024 at 6 pm and is being held at the COS City Hub - 4304 Austin Bluffs Pkwy. We’re excited to announce that Theresa Flores will be our speaker, and Four by Brother Luck is catering our event! Click the link below to buy tickets. Individual tickets are $50 each (open seating). If you would like a table and reserved seating, a table of 8 is $500. Please join us to see how we walk with survivors.
Buy Tickets

Join our Friend-Raising Event at Modern Market

September 19th is Reclaiming Hope’s next “Friend-Raiser” is at Modern Market on Briargate (behind PF Chang). 30% of your purchase can go to Reclaiming Hope if you show this flier or mention Reclaiming Hope at check-out. We can’t wait to see you there!
August Prayer Calendar

Prayer

Thank you for being our prayer warriors! Please join us in praying for through our monthly prayer calendars!
September Prayer Calendar

Donate Items for Christmas Stockings

Christmas, already? It is time for us to start collecting items for our Stockings for Survivors program. We are trying to have all donations in before November 15th. Would you help us with the shopping? Every stocking includes a $20 gift card and we tend to be short on those, so if you are interested in only providing one item for the stockings please consider donating a gift card or two to any of the places listed on the inspiration lists.
Inspiration Lists

Thank You

Thank you to the groups who volunteered or supported
Reclaiming Hope in August:

Bee’s Book Club

Human Trafficking in the News

City of Dreams in now in theaters… Click the header to find tickets to watch this powerful film that exposes the devastating reality of human trafficking.

Housing Insecurity and Trafficking… For survivors of sex trafficking, finding and keeping a safe place to stay is one of the greatest contributors to initial exploitation and one of the most signification challenges to remaining free.

Supporting Young Minds… Today’s youth are facing unprecedented challenges to their mental well-being, and supportive adults can make a significant difference in a young person’s mental health journey.

If you would like to host a donation drive to help Reclaiming Hope prepare for the busier summer season for the Hope Bag Program, please reach out to info@reclaiming-hope.org or call 719/425- 9405 Tues – Fri : 10am – 4pm.