EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING & HORSEMANSHIP MENTORING PROGRAMS LAUNCHED: Equine assisted learning is an evidence based treatment for many of the struggles survivors of abuse face. Horsemanship builds trust, self confidence, communication, self-concept, perspective, self-acceptance, impulse control, social skills, boundaries, and spiritual connection. Over the past 6 weeks we've had 15 participants ranging from 11 years old to adults in our equine assisted/mentoring programs. Some are having sessions every week and others every couple of weeks. Last weekend, two teen survivors of s*x trafficking participated. We are planning group sessions with our life skills/support group and the staff and residents of a local faith based, residential rehabilitation program. "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of man," -Winston Churchill. Find out more about our new prevention and restoration programs and view pictures by CLICKING HERE.
NON PROFIT CONSULTANT HIRED: Thanks to the generous giving of one of our donors, we've hired Donald Miltner, as a non-profit consultant for the next year. Mr. Miltner has a Master's of Business Administration from Harvard University. He has provided consulting to World Vision, the Navigators, Columbia University, University of Missouri, Regent University, Billy Graham Association, World Relief, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Presidents Reagan, Bush, Carter, and Nixon programs at the White House. We are very grateful to have him working with us and excited about a new season at Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries.
STRIP CLUB OUTREACH REPORT: On Saturday, September 8th, a team of 3 mental health counselors, an RN, and an intern delivered and served up a delicious home cooked meal in the locker room of our "adopted" strip club in Fort Myers, FL. They also distributed gift bags of beauty supplies, toiletries, information about human trafficking and the services Beauty From Ashes™ provides. Additionally, each woman received a journal and the Freedom From Worry book by inspirational writer, speaker, and life coach, Karen Zeigler. For pictures and more CLICK HERE. Since 2008, we've done this type of monthly outREACH into this particular club. We've assisted numerous women and men we've met in this club to build new lives and lifestyles.
INNER CITY OUTREACH REPORT: Every Wednesday evening we have an outREACH team that partners with a team from Grace Church in downtown Fort Myers where 150-200 meals are served to the homeless and poor. We call this our "Grace OutREACH" because this particular area is known for its high rates of prostitution and drugs. Letting people know who we are, what services we provide, that there is hope, and that they are loved, valued, and have purpose is our objective in doing these outREACHes. Watching women we've met and served sing in the worship team this past week was a blessing to everyone.
LIFE SKILLS & SUPPORT GROUP: Every Tuesday evening from 7-8:30 in central Fort Myers, we provide a life skills and support group for women who have been s*xually exploited, abused, or trafficked. If you are a woman working in or desiring to exit from the s*x for sale industry, this group is for you. The group is led by a master's level mental health clinician, who is an overcomer. For more information and to register, call (239) 939-9218 or email christa_hicks@beautyfromashes.org. Free child care is provided.
CURRENT NEEDS: Looking for a way you can partner with Florida's first and only human trafficking, overcomer-led, community, service agency? With a case load of over 40 individuals we serve on average weekly, we need your help. CLICK HERE for our current needs.
MY INTERNSHIP AT BEAUTY FROM ASHES: "Over the last two years of my life and even more so since I began working with Beauty From Ashes™ I have come to recognize the seriousness involved when your 'job' is people. " READ MORE & "after two weeks interning, I can easily say I really had no idea of the amount of work Beauty From Ashes™ (BFA) does. " READ MORE -Natasha Hurt, Hadassah Intern. To find out more about Beauty From Ashes™ college and non-college internships, CLICK HERE.
EVENTS: We've presented 60+ events to over 3500 people since January. We truly believe that human trafficking awareness leads to prevention, intervention, and restoration! Our multi-media presentations range from 30-90 minutes and have been presented to ages 8 through 80+. Venues include social service agencies, churches, universities, colleges, health departments, and nursing associations, to Girl Scouts and country clubs. To see our upcoming events, CLICK HERE. To schedule an overcomer to speak at your event or invite BFA CLICK HERE.
SCOPE OF SERVICES: Mental Health Counseling, Social Services, Spiritual Counseling, Career, Crisis, and Addiction Counseling, Case Management, Mentoring, Medical Services, Relocation, Short-term, Long-term residential program placement, Consulting and Referral for governmental and non-governmental agencies, support system to loved ones of s*x workers, Trainings, outREACHes, and more. For full list of services, CLICK HERE. All services are provided free of charge.
FUND RAISING: If you're passionate to do something about the human trafficking happening right here in the United States and want to support Beauty From Ashes, contact us today. Whether it's a bake sale, car wash, Sunday School class project, percentage of your business sales, or organizing a dinner party, 3-5K run, awareness event, etc., please contact us with your fund raising/awareness ideas today.
DONATIONS: We rely on private donations for program and operational costs. Please consider giving a tax deductible gift today. For $35 or more, we'll send you our Child of God CD as our way to say thank you for partnering with us. For secure online giving CLICK HERE or send your financial gift to 13300 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 56, Fort Myers, FL 33907.
MONTHLY PRAYER ALERT: For details of how to pray for us in the month of September, CLICK HERE.
PRAYER REQUESTS: Send them to prayer@beautyfromashes.org.
WEEKLY GLOBAL PRAYER: To meet with intercessors locally, call (239) 939-9218 for location. To join us in spirit from wherever you are and for a prayer guide, CLICK HERE.
Stay up to date with the day to day operations of Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries and latest news on domestic s*x trafficking by following us on twitter & like us on our facebook fanpage.
I cannot thank you enough for your continued support and encouragement. As we move into a new season, myself, the board, staff and volunteers are anticipating great and mighty things as we continue to partner in preventing, reaching, rescuing and restoring victims of s*xual exploitation, abuse, and trafficking.
Committed to the cause,
Julie Shematz
Founder/President
Founder/President
Where Victims Become Over-comers
239.939.9218 | 877.4BFA SOS (877.423.2767) Toll Free Help Line
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