Engaging the Faith Community Jessica Pittman Central Valley Justice Coalition Melissa Gomez Central Valley Against Human Trafficking

partnering with the church and community to prevent human trafficking Act Justly. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly.

No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until ‘justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream’. - MLK And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, we're free at last!" Religion: a double edged sword

 “We think it deplorable in the sight of God that there should be any change in the difference and variety in his creation and he certainly would desire to keep our races pure.” – Alabama Baptist Newspaper, 1950s, in support of Jim Crow laws  Larry Tise notes in his book, Proslavery, ministers “wrote almost half of all defenses of slavery published in America” and believed the Bible taught that white people could own black people as work animals.Proslavery Religion: a double edged sword...

... Faith is a freeing force.

CVJC has the vision to see ALL faith communities across our region educated, empowered and engaged in the fight for justice.

Snapshot of our Community  Fresno/Clovis has over 500 churches. Data suggests almost half the population is affiliated with a religious congregation. (citydata.com)  CVJC has worked with over 50 People’s Church (3000 people influenced) Northpointe Church (2000 people influenced) Catholic Diocese (20,660) Cornerstone Church & Fresno First Baptist (radio & tv broadcasts, reaching tens of thousands)

Prevention  Anna’s story: human trafficking prevented  Victims identify themselves and go on to lead in our community  Prevention work in the community (JJC & partnerships)

Recovery  Victims often experience spiritual abuse and isolation from their faith community  Jamie’s story: denied access to her faith and to her spiritual community  Victims experience judgment from those inside & outside the faith community.  Spiritual Support Groups (Amsterdam)  Victims often find it a struggle to “find their way” and move on after such trauma.  Example: Mentorship

Hope: Quotes from Survivors:  “The church has helped me succeed in making life changing choices for myself, I now believe in myself and what I am able to accomplish.” Christine, survivor of sex trafficking  “As a survivor it was the love of the Jesus Christ displayed through the church and then embraced by my community that really helped me to get out, and stay out… Divided we are weak and ineffective, but together we are a force to be reckoned with!” Debra Ehrlich, Founder/CEO, Breaking the Chains

Ways we serve our community & advocates  Freedom Sunday, Freedom Churches  Practical Resources; Ex: Pink Packs from Woodward Park Baptist, Lydia’s Closet  Mentoring; Ex: Every Neighborhood Partnership, Mentorship Alliance Program, Chaplaincy  Community support; Ex: Survivor Circle, Celebrate Recovery  Consultation & Resource Line  Screening of Volunteers

Resources connected to the faith community  Please check out our website!  cvjusticecoalition.com/local-organizations/

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must strengthen our backs and work for our freedom. - Martin Luther King, Jr cvjusticecoalition.com |