Help us bring

DIGNITY and

FREEDOM to the

woundedin the United States

and Canada

“Human trafficking is an open wound on the body of contemporarysociety, a scourge upon the body of Christ. It is a crime against humanity.”

(Pope Francis April 10, 2014)

We Sisters

of Charity – Halifax,

… stand together

in a time when we

hear the silent cries

of victims of human

trafficking, especially

those women and

children taken for

the purposes of

sexual exploitation

and forced labor.

We commit ourselves to work to eradicate this global human rights violation and to affirm the dignity of all human beings. Adopted 2008

Human trafficking is not a

problem exclusive to third

world countries. It’s a global

problem. Human trafficking is our problem.

It is estimated that there are

over 27 million slaves around

the world — the largest number

in human history. Human

trafficking is the world’s fastest

growing criminal industry, pulling

in approximately $32-billion

in profit every year. Almost half of this is from developed nations like the United States and Canada.

Human trafficking victims are

enslaved for the purpose of

exploitation, including commercial

sex, forced labor and slavery. They

are coerced, deceived, threatened

and even abducted until they are

stripped of the most basic of

human rights: their freedom.

Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can restore their dignity and help them regain their freedom.

Covenant House VancouverSister Nancy Brown

Sister Nancy Brown has been a long-time advocate for victims of human trafficking, especially in her home city of Vancouver, BC. Her work with Covenant House Vancouver has proven the value of education – educating the public to raise awareness and aid, and educating victims to help them leave bad situations or prevent them from becoming victims in the first place.

“We see you. We hear you. We insist on your dignity.” President Barack Obama (from speech at Clinton Global Initiative September 2012)

Our Sisters have been working tirelessly to help human trafficking victims regain their dignity.

LEFT: As a special gift, an afghan is made for each of the women who leave LifeWay House; a tradition started by program coordinator, Barbara McMurray. As Sister Joan explains, “The afghan has many meanings: its colours are joyful, it represents warmth and comfort, and reminds us that many strands make up the whole.”

BELOW: A community dinner, shared by volunteers and residents of LifeWay House.

Sisters Nancy Brown and Joan Dawber

In addition to the many public awareness workshops to change prostitution legislation, Sister Nancy’s latest venture has been to find scholarships for women struggling to leave prostitution. Most recently, she was able to obtain funds to help a young woman who had spent several years as a prostitute before finding Covenant House Vancouver and Sister Nancy. Thanks to the scholarship, this young woman is now preparing to become a Certified Personal Trainer, with the promise of a job on completion. The words of this brave woman speak volumes: “not only have you given me hope, but you’ve enabled me to pass it on through a career of helping people make healthy choices…the gratitude I feel is overwhelming.” Your support can help to get more girls off the streets and onto the path to a better life.

The Bakhita CommunityBostonThe Bakhita Community safe house in the greater Boston area opened its doors in 2012. Local members of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, including Sisters Ann Regan and Sally McLaughlin, collaborated to create this refuge for trafficking victims. The house provides emotional support, clothing, food and shelter, along with easy access to social and medical services. Sister Ann remarks, “Our involvement with victims of human trafficking has been life-changing for us, and an impetus to become more aware of the modern day form of slavery which is all around us.” Named after Saint Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped by slave traders at the age of nine, Bakhita House relies on funding from religious congregations, foundations and private donations. Your gift will help provide safe shelter and new lives for these victims of human trafficking.

Lifeway Network New YorkSister Joan Dawber

LifeWay Network, headed by executive director Sister Joan Dawber, continues its mission to help survivors of human trafficking and act as a catalyst for change. One element of LifeWay Network is LifeWay House. Since opening its doors in 2012, LifeWay House has provided shelter and refuge for 15 women from 11 different countries. LifeWay House operates at full capacity and has an ongoing wait list of victims seeking help. In urgent situations, they must call upon a number of religious communities to coordinate emergency spaces. The need is great, and spaces are limited.

Recently, LifeWay Network teamed up with Covenant House New York to explore using underutilized space owned by the city’s faith communities, to establish a network of safe houses for victims of trafficking. Additional funding would be necessary to make this vital plan a reality. “Each person can do something where they are; each person makes a difference” says Sister Joan. Your support will help LifeWay Network change the future for trafficking survivors.

For more information on human trafficking:

Sisters of Charity – Halifax | www.schalifax.ca

Lifeway Network | www.lifewaynetwork.org

Bakhita Initiative | www.bakhitainitiative.com

United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking | www.no-trafficking.org

Coalition Against Trafficking in Women | www.catwinternational.org

RCMP Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre | http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

How canyou help?• Awareness is key: educate

yourself, your friends and family on human trafficking

• Report any activity you believe may be related to human trafficking. In Canada, call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and in the US, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888.

• Volunteer your time at a local shelter or community outreach program.

Make a donation to support our work fighting human trafficking. Your support will help us protect victims,

promote education and prevent trafficking.

To learn more about how we’re fighting human trafficking, contact:

Advancement Office Sisters of Charity – Halifax85-10 61st Road Rego Park, NY11374 USATel: 718-424-1813

Advancement Office Sisters of Charity – Halifax125 Oakland StreetWellesley Hills, MA02481 USATel: 781-997-1210

Advancement OfficeSisters of Charity Centre215 Seton Rd.Halifax, NSB3M 0C9Tel: 902-406-8114

Or Email: advancement@schalifax.ca

IN THE UNITED STATES IN CANADA