Educate our First Responders  •  Youth  •  Faith-Based/Social Organizations  •  Victim Advocacy

Educate Our First Responders

We believe in the people who work in our social systems. Our goal is to partner with them to make them aware of the trafficking issue in West Michigan and empower them to engage victims. We define ‘first responder’ broadly enough to encompass these groups:

• Law Enforcement: Police and security
• Educators: K-12 teachers who see students every day
• Social Workers/Advocates
• Judicial System: Judges, probation officers, and juvenile corrections

Youth

While educating youth promotes their safety, our faith in them extends beyond their ability to stay safe. We believe that educating and empowering youth is key to ending the trafficking of people. Middle school and high school, students are a powerful group! Our hope is to empower, but to activate them to engage this social injustice. We do this by targeting the following groups:

• At-risk youth: Facilitating groups that empower children already in social systems (CMH, DHS, and Juvenile Justice)
• K-12 students: Engaging students where they are by making age-appropriate presentations and allowing them to use their imaginations to solve this issue.
• Youth Leaders: Empowering these leaders to educate their peer community, offering the next generation a chance to end slavery.

Faith-based/Social Organizations

To end trafficking, we need to end the demand for victims. By reaching out to the community through awareness presentations and partnerships with organizations and business, we confront the demand and empower citizens to end slavery in their neighborhoods. We’re inviting these groups to engage with The Manasseh Project:

• Faith-based Communities: Churches and religious organizations
• Social Organizations: Rotary Club, Mentoring Groups, Greek Societies, etc.
• Businesses: Local enterprizes and financial organizations.

Victim Advocacy

Wedgwood Christian Services has been caring for victims of trafficking for years. However, our goal is to move into specialty shelter care, allowing victims to heal together while being supported by our community. Victim advocacy, however, extends beyond shelter care. The process of leaving a life in traffic is complex and painful. The Manasseh Project will address the spectrum of healing in the following ways:

• Drop-in Centers and Community Partners: Our goal is to develop positive relationships with children in the community and with victims of trafficking. When a victim is able to leave her situation, we want to be there as a safe haven. These spaces will be in communities empowered to mentor children and identify victims.
• Shelter Care: Wedgwood Christian Services is developing specialized shelter care for victims.
• Outpatient Counseling: The process of healing for a victim of trafficking takes years. Wedgwood is committed to providing a continuum of care for survivors through outpatient counseling and groups.