Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Freeze Project
This past Sunday, Sandals Abolitionists took part in their third Freeze Project at the Riverside Plaza. Sixteen people, ranging in age from college-age to mid-fifties, participated in the effort to raise awareness about the reality of human trafficking both here locally and abroad. The first Freeze Project took place in November, 2010 and more are planned for the upcoming months as well.
The Freeze Project consists of volunteers who perform a series of five-minute "freezes" in a highly populated area. Then after the five minutes are up, the leader calls out "Done," and everyone returns to normal. Then participants walk around looking for individuals to form discussions with while handing out note-cards containing information about human trafficking.
One of the biggest goals of this month's Freeze Project was to get out the toll free number to the National Resource Center: 888-3737-888. The note-card not only includes the helpful phone number but also gives a description of human trafficking: "... a modern form of slavery that often begins as a promised job that becomes forced labor under threats against the person or their family, or debt servitude."
The card also informs people about some common signs for those trapped in human trafficking: bruises, depression, fear, overly submissive attitude, a debt owed to an employer or an inability to leave a job, one who lives and works in the same place, one who doesn't speak on her own behalf, and someone who lacks control over her personal schedule, money, I.D., or travel documents.
Since many people think that human trafficking isn't actually a local problem here in Riverside County, they might decide not to get involved. But that would be a huge mistake. There are so many ways that you can help. Take a first step and begin to PRAY! Go ahead and ask God for wisdom and courage for the victims in our area who are trapped in bondage due to human trafficking. Also ask God to help Sandals Abolitionists to raise the awareness in our community so that people will begin to report suspected cases of trafficking.
Besides praying, you can get involved with Sandals Abolitionists by joining them for upcoming Freeze events. Or you could donate graphic art services for future printed materials. Maybe you feel like painting some wooden hand-held signs for future projects. Or perhaps you could donate money for t-shirts to raise awareness. For more information about how you can serve, join the Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/abolitionists. Or you can email the group's leader, Monique Lewis, at SandalsAbolitionists@gmail.com.
Monique was encouraged about the people who came out to Sunday's Freeze event and said, "The people who came out really wanted to do something to raise awareness." She also encouraged new people to join in the next Freeze, which she will report on in the near future. She stated, "Anyone can come out and support the Abolitionist's agenda."
But she especially wants to motivate Christians to step up to the plate. She said, "It's really important as Christians that we're out in the community advocating. Spreading the Gospel is the most important thing. In this ministry, people get to see Christians living out what they believe... advocating for FREEDOM!"
The key verse for the Freeze Project was Isaiah 1:17A which states, "...learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed." It sounds pretty basic, right? So let's hear from some of the people who lived out this verse last Sunday.
One mom who I had the pleasure of getting to know shared what drew her to Sandals Abolitionists. She told me how her own daughter is currently a victim of human trafficking here in the United States. Her hope is that public awareness will be raised and that trafficking will be better addressed legally. She also longs for more effective law enforcement at the local level.
Two UCR students got involved for the first time and had a great experience. Laura Henricksen said, "The best part of the experience was when people would ask me for more flyers. They were receptive." She expressed that she would definitely participate in a Freeze Project again. She felt like it was a worthwhile group to minister with and just wishes that even more people had come to get the word out. Cheryl Kaestner shared how she was shocked by, "...how many people who haven't heard of trafficking."
One participant shared how she was looking for a ministry where she could connect with others at our church. After her husband passed away two years ago, she tried Sandals out and wanted to find a place where she could serve. She feels that Sandals Abolitionists is a great group to get plugged into. She's glad she took the first step to get more involved.
Jessica Boctor is member of Sandals Abolitionists and a longtime Sandals member who cares deeply about the topic of human trafficking. She even wrote a book about human trafficking and bondage that you can check out at Phantomblonde.com. As the group moved around participating in four separate five-minute freeze sessions, Jessica manned the table and passed out trafficking literature for those passing by.
Beatriz Castro Ortiz has enjoyed being a part of the group since January of this year. She said that she, "...finds it easy to defend that the evil is not the Lord's-- it's the enemy's (work). We blame God but this just puts a name to the face of evil." Her passion allows her to go deeper as she spends time with actual individuals facing these types of hardships.
Jose Pacheco said this was his first time participating in a Freeze Project. He also shared how it was a bit intimidating. But he was concerned about "...the lack of knowledge and resources out there." He commented that the event was fun and how, "...it brings down the intimidation of what we have to offer. It's important to educate others cuz this is happening and I didn't know this until joining (this group)."
Stephen Thomas also experienced his first Freeze this past Sunday. He saw the informational tables after church a few weeks ago and dove right in. He shared about how the Freeze mob gets people's attention and said, "It was really fun. I'm a good communicator so it's easy for me to hand out flyers and inform (people)." He would definitely consider returning for another Freeze event.
If any of this pulls at your heart strings, check out the pictures and get on board with this amazing ministry. Sandals Abolitionists welcomes you and your passion to raise awareness and ultimately end human trafficking in Riverside and beyond. Share your thoughts here. We'd love to hear from you.
The Freeze Project consists of volunteers who perform a series of five-minute "freezes" in a highly populated area. Then after the five minutes are up, the leader calls out "Done," and everyone returns to normal. Then participants walk around looking for individuals to form discussions with while handing out note-cards containing information about human trafficking.
One of the biggest goals of this month's Freeze Project was to get out the toll free number to the National Resource Center: 888-3737-888. The note-card not only includes the helpful phone number but also gives a description of human trafficking: "... a modern form of slavery that often begins as a promised job that becomes forced labor under threats against the person or their family, or debt servitude."
The card also informs people about some common signs for those trapped in human trafficking: bruises, depression, fear, overly submissive attitude, a debt owed to an employer or an inability to leave a job, one who lives and works in the same place, one who doesn't speak on her own behalf, and someone who lacks control over her personal schedule, money, I.D., or travel documents.
Since many people think that human trafficking isn't actually a local problem here in Riverside County, they might decide not to get involved. But that would be a huge mistake. There are so many ways that you can help. Take a first step and begin to PRAY! Go ahead and ask God for wisdom and courage for the victims in our area who are trapped in bondage due to human trafficking. Also ask God to help Sandals Abolitionists to raise the awareness in our community so that people will begin to report suspected cases of trafficking.
Besides praying, you can get involved with Sandals Abolitionists by joining them for upcoming Freeze events. Or you could donate graphic art services for future printed materials. Maybe you feel like painting some wooden hand-held signs for future projects. Or perhaps you could donate money for t-shirts to raise awareness. For more information about how you can serve, join the Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/abolitionists. Or you can email the group's leader, Monique Lewis, at SandalsAbolitionists@gmail.com.
Monique was encouraged about the people who came out to Sunday's Freeze event and said, "The people who came out really wanted to do something to raise awareness." She also encouraged new people to join in the next Freeze, which she will report on in the near future. She stated, "Anyone can come out and support the Abolitionist's agenda."
But she especially wants to motivate Christians to step up to the plate. She said, "It's really important as Christians that we're out in the community advocating. Spreading the Gospel is the most important thing. In this ministry, people get to see Christians living out what they believe... advocating for FREEDOM!"
The key verse for the Freeze Project was Isaiah 1:17A which states, "...learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed." It sounds pretty basic, right? So let's hear from some of the people who lived out this verse last Sunday.
One mom who I had the pleasure of getting to know shared what drew her to Sandals Abolitionists. She told me how her own daughter is currently a victim of human trafficking here in the United States. Her hope is that public awareness will be raised and that trafficking will be better addressed legally. She also longs for more effective law enforcement at the local level.
Two UCR students got involved for the first time and had a great experience. Laura Henricksen said, "The best part of the experience was when people would ask me for more flyers. They were receptive." She expressed that she would definitely participate in a Freeze Project again. She felt like it was a worthwhile group to minister with and just wishes that even more people had come to get the word out. Cheryl Kaestner shared how she was shocked by, "...how many people who haven't heard of trafficking."
One participant shared how she was looking for a ministry where she could connect with others at our church. After her husband passed away two years ago, she tried Sandals out and wanted to find a place where she could serve. She feels that Sandals Abolitionists is a great group to get plugged into. She's glad she took the first step to get more involved.
Jessica Boctor is member of Sandals Abolitionists and a longtime Sandals member who cares deeply about the topic of human trafficking. She even wrote a book about human trafficking and bondage that you can check out at Phantomblonde.com. As the group moved around participating in four separate five-minute freeze sessions, Jessica manned the table and passed out trafficking literature for those passing by.
Beatriz Castro Ortiz has enjoyed being a part of the group since January of this year. She said that she, "...finds it easy to defend that the evil is not the Lord's-- it's the enemy's (work). We blame God but this just puts a name to the face of evil." Her passion allows her to go deeper as she spends time with actual individuals facing these types of hardships.
Jose Pacheco said this was his first time participating in a Freeze Project. He also shared how it was a bit intimidating. But he was concerned about "...the lack of knowledge and resources out there." He commented that the event was fun and how, "...it brings down the intimidation of what we have to offer. It's important to educate others cuz this is happening and I didn't know this until joining (this group)."
Stephen Thomas also experienced his first Freeze this past Sunday. He saw the informational tables after church a few weeks ago and dove right in. He shared about how the Freeze mob gets people's attention and said, "It was really fun. I'm a good communicator so it's easy for me to hand out flyers and inform (people)." He would definitely consider returning for another Freeze event.
If any of this pulls at your heart strings, check out the pictures and get on board with this amazing ministry. Sandals Abolitionists welcomes you and your passion to raise awareness and ultimately end human trafficking in Riverside and beyond. Share your thoughts here. We'd love to hear from you.
Labels: human trafficking, Sandals Abolitionists
