Prayer

To provide prayer support for the work of justice in the Twin Cities area. Our goal is to lift up the officers, lawyers, social workers, after-care facilities and churches who are providing front-line support to those coming out of trafficking situations. We believe that the work of Justice belongs to God. Ultimately it is God who brings rescue, healing, and restoration by using his people (the church) to accomplish his work of justice in the world.

Leader

Tori McDowell

Prayer.TJMN@gmail.com

 

 

What TJ is Currently Doing

  • We are seeking individuals who would be willing to commit to pray regularly for the work of justice in the Twin Cities area and around the world. If you are interested in signing up for regular prayer updates, please contact us at the email address above.
  • TJ is currently holding a monthly prayer meeting on the 1st Thursday of each month that focuses on praying for the issue of justice and modern-day slavery. Our website Events Page has details for that meeting.  Please contact our track leader above for more information on attending these meetings.

Vision for the Future

Our goal is to have many monthly prayer meetings all over the Twin Cities area that support the following goals:

  • To invite those who attend to seek God’s heart in the cause of Justice.
  • To seek God’s wisdom and provision in the work being done to end modern-day slavery.
  • To be faithful in prayer for specific requests and believing God for the answers to our prayers.
  • We will provide resources and training for those who are willing to lead prayer events.

Ways to Get involved

  • Join a regular prayer group to pray and learn more about the work that God is doing in our area. Please contact traffickingjustice.prayer@gmail.com for more information on attending these meetings.
  • Be a champion at your church to mobilize other volunteers in this area.
  • Advocate with your church leadership to prioritize prayer for the work of justice in your congregation.
  • Form and lead a prayer group of your own – If you are willing to take this action the group at TJ is here to train you and support you and resource you for the success of your meetings.

Awareness

To raise the level of awareness that human trafficking exists in all facets of society, in every county of our state, while educating people on how to engage in the battle against it.

Leader:

Lisa Marie MacKenzie

awareness.tjmn@gmail.com

 

 

What TJ is Currently Doing:

  • Planning Awareness Events at various venues around the twin cities area to raise this issue to the forefront of people’s minds. Examples include:
    • Craft Fair
    • Documentaries at churches
    • Sex Trafficking 101 Classes
  • Holding Monthly Meetings – for people learning about this area – covering various topics of the issue and connecting people with others who are involved.
  • Providing a current list of Events in the Twin Cities area on our Website and Facebook Page for people to attend to learn more.

Vision for the Future:

  • Champion the formation of Justice ministries in churches around Minnesota
  • Mobilize people to spread awareness to their neighborhoods, workplaces, colleges, churches, community groups, and friends about the reality of sex trafficking and what we can do to stop it.
  • Get the message into local newspapers, magazines, and social media outlets to spread the word on the facts of human trafficking in our local cities.

Ways to Get Involved:

  • Join the Awareness Team and discuss ideas to spread awareness in our communities
  • Talk with your pastor or missions leader about the possibility of forming a justice ministry at your church
  • Come to TJ monthly meetings to meet people and learn more about the issue
  • Help out with local TJ events regarding logistics and administration
  • Partner with the Prevention track to spread awareness in your schools

For more information and to get involved, please contact us at awareness.tjmn@gmail.com

Prevention

The Prevention Track has two major categories:

  1. To educate teenagers and parents about the method that perpetrators use to recruit and groom teens into trafficking and to exploit, extort or assault unsuspecting teens.
  2. To reach out to vulnerable groups of young people who are especially at risk to be approached by traffickers or sexual exploiters.  Examples of these groups are teens in foster homes or aging out of foster care, homeless youth, and teens with special needs.

 Leader

Open

What TJ is Currently Doing

  • We are speaking to teens at about awareness and prevention
  • We are speaking to teens at local middle schools, high schools, and youth groups to educate teenagers and parents on what sex trafficking and exploitation looks like and how to prevent it from happening to our youth.

Vision for the Future

  • Provide Community Education classes in school districts throughout the Metro area
  • Expand to more high school teachers who would be willing to sponsor an Anti-Human Trafficking Club in their high school
  • Reach out to school counselors, FACS teachers, school-community liaisons, teachers of at-risk students, and technology/media specialists to implement lessons on Healthy Relationships and Internet Safety
  • Provide education through community movie nights at local churches and/or schools
  • Make more connections with local public and private schools

Ways to Get Involved

  • Talk with your teachers and principals about the need for education and awareness in this area for your school
  • Talk with your youth group leaders about scheduling an awareness session at your church
  • Help plan events for educating awareness and prevention
  • Provide logistical and administrative support for awareness sessions in schools and churches
  • Research and/or write curriculum for classes

For more information and to get involved, please contact trafficking.justice@gmail.com

Legal Advocacy

Using the power of our voices to Influence public policy and our legal statutes on behalf of victims of trafficking and modern day slavery – in our state and in our country.

Leader:

Open

What TJ is Currently Doing:

  • Supporting Federal Bills before Congress
  • Building relationships with local state legislators
  • Developing a comprehensive plan to present to our state reps in this area.
  • In discussion with other organizations on this strategy.

Vision for the Future:

  • We see a need to have all of our federal and state level members of Congress aware of domestic sex trafficking and exploitation.
  • We would like to build relationships with as many congressional offices, federal and state level, as possible and to encourage champions for this cause.
  • We would like to offer opportunities for people to utilize the power of their voice to act on behalf of those who cannot, to understand the legislative process and to create change through public policy.

Ways to Get Involved:

  • Join the TJ Legal Advocacy Track to partner with others in this cause
  • Start to build relationships with YOUR elected members of Congress. Let them know ending trafficking and slavery is important to you.
  • Research specific pieces of legislation to share with your members of Congress.

TJ will help train you on how to get involved in both Minnesota and US Congress issues. Contact us at trafficking.justice@gmail.com to learn how you can get involved in this team.

Restoration

To come alongside those who have been hurt and victimized by abusers. To show them God’s love and grace in practical ways. To help them walk in freedom.

Leader:

Beth Johnson

Restoration.TJMN@gmail.com

 

 

What TJ is Currently Doing

  • Connecting people with local restoration homes in the twin cities for volunteer opportunities
    • Source Anti Trafficking
    • Breaking Free
    • Whispers of Hope
    • Cornerstone
  • Helping with babysitting and other practical needs of survivors
  • Organizing baby showers and other activities to bless survivors
  • Attending monthly and weekly prayer meetings for staff and survivors

Vision for the Future:

  • Mobilize churches to sponsor Christ-centered restoration homes in Minnesota
  • Connect volunteers with these new restoration homes
  • Do awareness and fundraising events on behalf of restoration homes
  • Link people with training at restoration centers to become mentors of survivors

Ways to Get Involved:

  • Contact current restoration homes for current volunteer opportunities
  • Form a team that can help home with practical needs for maintenance and repairs
  • Partner with Hospitality Track members to provide gifts for women at restoration homes
  • Talk with your church leaders about sponsoring a new restoration home (training by experts in this area is required).

For more information and to get involved, please contact Beth at baj16@outlook.com

Prevention of Demand

To address the roots of what is driving the demand for men to purchase sex. To expose pornography as a major driver and to provide ways for men and families to protect themselves from exposure and addiction. To reveal the influence of the Commercial Sex Industry on destroying families and influencing our culture in ways that foster the exploitation of others.

Leader:

Open

What TJ is Currently Doing

  • Organizing speaking events in local churches on the reality of porn addiction, its damage to men, women, and families, its connection to sex trafficking/exploitation, and resources available for men to become healed of their addiction.
  • We have a list of resources for men who desire to face into porn addiction and receive healing and freedom.

Vision for the Future

  • Spearhead a movement in local churches all over our state — to address the problem of pornography in a few ways:
    1. To speak about this massive issue from the pulpit as a systemic problem for many men.
    2. To offer help and healing vs. finger pointing and shame.
    3. To initiate accountability and healing programs in their churches for this addiction, or to connect their members with local programs offered elsewhere.
  • Partner with other local organizations in this cause.

Ways to Get Involved

We are currently looking for a Leader for this area. If you are interested, please email trafficking.justice@gmail.com