Fort Myers Strip Club OutREACHes, Care Packages Distributed & More

STRIP CLUB OUTREACHES:  Beauty From Ashes (BFA) will be delivering outREACH gifts into two Southwest Florida strip clubs this week in celebration of  unconditional love & hope.  Gift bags include a bible, The Father's Love Letter DVD, BFA's Child of God CD, a Beth Moore poem, beauty supplies and valentine's day candies.  The outREACH team will also be serving up a yummy, home cooked meal from the locker room of one of the clubs on Saturday evening.  Please keep the recipients of these gifts in your prayers, as well as the outREACH team.  

CARE PACKAGES:  BFA assembled 25 care packages decorated in the Valentine's Day theme that will be distributed to survivors of human sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in safe homes.  Care packages included bath and hair supplies, makeup, toiletries, Valentine's cards and candy.  Additionally, women's clothing items were given to a local women's shelter.  Check out the care package & outREACH gifts, CLICK HERE.  

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

BFA is run by all volunteers and we need YOU.  As our territory is expanding, we are in need of competent & committed workers to serve in the following capacities: 

Interns:  College students and graduates. We'll work with your schedule and school. 

Administrative Team:  2-4 hours a week or more (Does not have to be in immediate area.  Work can be done remotely.)

OutREACH Team:  Strip club outREACHes locally (Training required)

Gift Assembly Team:  Meet the 1st Saturday of each month &/or to ship care packages when needed

Greeting Card Team:  Write and send encouraging notes and cards to survivors of CSE & human sex trafficking

Social Media Team:  Moderate social media websites; facebook, myspace, twitter & Youtube 

Food Coordinator:  Liaison with community restaurants & coordinate cooks for outREACHes once a month

Mentor Team:  Fulfill Titus 2:3 with young women and girls that have been victims of commercialized sexual exploitation  (Training required)

Prayer Team:  Pray through specific prayer email blasts 

and respond to email prayer requests.  

 Locally, meet for one hour.

Researcher:  Online and telephone inquiries/verification

Graphic Designer

We also can provide community service hours to high school students and individuals on probation.  

If interested, please send resume to steve@beautyfromashes.org or call 239.939.9218.  Application, references, and background check required for some positions.  

FAMILY CHRISTIAN CENTER MINISTRY OF THE MONTH: The Family Christian Store located at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Fort Myers, FL has made Beauty From Ashes Ministries their ministry of the month for February.  When you give $5 at the store for BFA, they will provide to us a beautiful, leather New Testament outREACH bible.  Please stop by Family Christian for all your Christian bookstore needs, give to BFA's need of outreach bibles, and tell them thanks!   

 UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS: 

IT'S NOT GLAMOROUS TEEN AWARENESS - Tuesday, February 15th, 5pm, Canterbury Preparatory School, Fort Myers, FL (in partnership with Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships, Inc. ArtREACH program)

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 101 & HEARING FROM THE VICTIMS - Tuesday, March 14th, 1pm, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, North Fort Myers, FL

IT'S NOT GLAMOROUS TEEN AWARENESS - Tuesday, March 29th 5:30pm, Brookwood Girl's Home, Fort Myers, FL 

PUBLIC/PROFESSIONAL VICTIM PANEL - Tuesday, April 12th 10am - 5pm, Riverside Community Center, Fort Myers, FL (event sponsored by Victim Services Coalition 20th Judicial Court)

ONGOING EVENTS:

WEEKLY BREAKING FREE LIFE SKILLS & SUPPORT GROUP:  Wednesdays at Barry University 1-3pm.   For victims and over-comers of commercialized sexual exploitation and human sex trafficking.  Child care and lunch provided.  Registration required.  

WEEKLY GLOBAL CORPORATE PRAYER:  Join BFA weekly, locally and globally for prayer to abolish slavery and for the organizations reaching, rescuing, restoring and advocating for the victims.  Fridays 8-9am EST.  For more information and prayer guide, 

CLICK HERE

. 

MONTHLY OUTREACH & CARE PACKAGE  GIFT ASSEMBLY:  1st Saturday of the month at Barry University 9am - 3pm.   

MONTHLY STRIP CLUB OUTREACHES IN FORT MYERS:  2nd Thursday & Saturday of the month

SCHEDULE BFA FOR AN EVENT:  We provide education, in service, and trainings on human trafficking for social service agencies, universities, churches, groups, businesses, and clubs.  To schedule a speaker and for more information, CLICK HERE.  Awareness leads to Prevention, Intervention, and Restoration!

PRAYER REQUESTS:  

We care for you and have a team that prays over your every need.  

Now you can submit your prayer request via our website!  

CLICK HERE to send your prayer request.  

BFA E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP:  CLICK HERE

DONATIONS:  Your partnership is vital for us to continue providing education, advocacy, and reach, rescue and restoration services to victims of commercialized sexual exploitation.  Please consider becoming a partner by giving a year end tax deductible gift today.  For  $25 or more we will send you our  Child of God CD.  For secure online donations, CLICK HERE or mail your check, cash or money order to Beauty From Ashes, 13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste, 56-623, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

I wish you all the life transforming revelation of the Father's love this Valentine's season!

In His love & service,

Julie Shematz

CEO & Founder

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  

Where Victims Become Over-Comers

Gift Assembly This Saturday & Volunteers Needed!

OUTREACH & CARE PACKAGE ASSEMBLY THIS SATURDAY:  February 5th, Barry University 9am - 1pm.  Beauty From Ashes (BFA) is in need of individuals willing to assembly lavish outREACH & care packages for survivors of commercialized sexual exploitation (CSE) and human sex trafficking.  We are also in need inspirational books, bibles, jewelry, toiletries, candy, and gift items to be placed in the gift and care packages.   Previously we were producing 25-35 outREACH gifts month, that number will be doubled with our outREACH program being expanded into a second club in Fort Myers.  Items do not have to be identical and can be mailed to 13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 56-623, Fort Myers, FL 33907 or call 239.939.9218 to arrange for pick up.  To support the acquisition of these items, you can also give securely online at www.BeautyFromAshes.org.  Please notate 'OutREACH'.  

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

Have a servant's heart?  We need you!   BFA is run by all volunteers our territory is expanding.  We are in desperate need of competent & committed workers to serve in the following capacities: 

• Interns:  College students and graduates. We'll work with your schedule and school. 
• Administrative Team:  2-4 hours a week or more (Does not have to be in immediate area)
• OutREACH Team:  Strip club outREACHes locally (Training required)
• Gift Assembly Team:  Meet the 1st Saturday of each month &/or to ship care packages when needed
• Greeting Card Team:  Write and send encouraging notes and cards to survivors of CSE & human sex trafficking
• Social Media Team:  Moderate social media websites; facebook, myspace, twitter & youtube. 
• Food Coordinator:  Liaison with community restaurants 
• Mentor Team:  Fulfill Titus 2:3 with young women and girls that have been victims of commercialized sexual exploitation  (Training required)
• Prayer Team:  Pray through specific prayer email blasts 
• and respond to email prayer requests.  
•  Locally, meet for one hour.
• Researcher:  Online and telephone inquiries/verification
• Graphic Designer

We can also provide community service hours to high school students and individuals on probation.  

If interested, please send resume to steve@beautyfromashes.org or call 239.939.9218.  Application, references, and background check required for some positions.  

FAMILY CHRISTIAN CENTER MINISTRY OF THE MONTH: The Family Christian Store located at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Fort Myers, FL has made Beauty From Ashes Ministries their ministry of the month for the month of February.  When you give $5 at the store for BFA, they will provide to us a beautiful, leather New Testament outREACH bible.  Please stop by Family Christian for all your Christian bookstore needs, give to BFA's need of outreach bibles, and tell them thanks!   

ONGOING EVENTS:

WEEKLY BREAKING FREE LIFE SKILLS & SUPPORT GROUP:  Wednesdays at Barry University 1-3pm.   For victims and over-comers of commercialized sexual exploitation and human sex trafficking.  Child care and lunch provided.  Registration required.  

WEEKLY GLOBAL CORPORATE PRAYER:  Join BFA weekly, locally and globally for prayer to abolish slavery and for the organizations reaching, rescuing, restoring and advocating for the victims.  Fridays 8-9am EST.  For more information and prayer guide, 

CLICK HERE. 

MONTHLY OUTREACH & CARE PACKAGE  GIFT ASSEMBLY:  1st Saturday of the month at Barry University 9am - 3pm.   

MONTHLY STRIP CLUB OUTREACHES IN FORT MYERS:  2nd Wednesday & Saturday of the month

SCHEDULE BFA FOR AN EVENT:  We provide education, in service, and trainings on human trafficking for social service agencies, universities, churches, groups, businesses, and clubs.  To schedule a speaker and for more information, CLICK HERE

Our partners enable us to do what we do, thanks!  

Julie Shematz

CEO & Founder

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  

Where Victims Become Over-Comers

Gift Assembly This Saturday & Volunteers Needed!

OUTREACH & CARE PACKAGE ASSEMBLY THIS SATURDAY:  February 5th, Barry University 9am - 1pm.  Beauty From Ashes (BFA) is in need of individuals willing to assembly lavish outREACH & care packages for survivors of commercialized sexual exploitation (CSE) and human sex trafficking.  We are also in need inspirational books, bibles, jewelry, toiletries, candy, and gift items to be placed in the gift and care packages.   Previously we were producing 25-35 outREACH gifts month, that number will be doubled with our outREACH program being expanded into a second club in Fort Myers.  Items do not have to be identical and can be mailed to 13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 56-623, Fort Myers, FL 33907 or call 239.939.9218 to arrange for pick up.  To support the acquisition of these items, you can also give securely online at www.BeautyFromAshes.org.  Please notate 'OutREACH'.  

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

Have a servant's heart?  We need you!   BFA is run by all volunteers our territory is expanding.  We are in desperate need of competent & committed workers to serve in the following capacities: 

Interns:  College students and graduates. We'll work with your schedule and school. 

Administrative Team:  2-4 hours a week or more (Does not have to be in immediate area)

OutREACH Team:  Strip club outREACHes locally (Training required)

Gift Assembly Team:  Meet the 1st Saturday of each month &/or to ship care packages when needed

Greeting Card Team:  Write and send encouraging notes and cards to survivors of CSE & human sex trafficking

Social Media Team:  Moderate social media websites; facebook, myspace, twitter & youtube. 

Food Coordinator:  Liaison with community restaurants 

Mentor Team:  Fulfill Titus 2:3 with young women and girls that have been victims of commercialized sexual exploitation  (Training required)

Prayer Team:  Pray through specific prayer email blasts 

and respond to email prayer requests.  

 Locally, meet for one hour.

Researcher:  Online and telephone inquiries/verification

Graphic Designer

We can also provide community service hours to high school students and individuals on probation.  

If interested, please send resume to steve@beautyfromashes.org or call 239.939.9218.  Application, references, and background check required for some positions.  

FAMILY CHRISTIAN CENTER MINISTRY OF THE MONTH: The Family Christian Store located at the Gulf Coast Town Center in Fort Myers, FL has made Beauty From Ashes Ministries their ministry of the month for the month of February.  When you give $5 at the store for BFA, they will provide to us a beautiful, leather New Testament outREACH bible.  Please stop by Family Christian for all your Christian bookstore needs, give to BFA's need of outreach bibles, and tell them thanks!   

ONGOING EVENTS:

WEEKLY BREAKING FREE LIFE SKILLS & SUPPORT GROUP:  Wednesdays at Barry University 1-3pm.   For victims and over-comers of commercialized sexual exploitation and human sex trafficking.  Child care and lunch provided.  Registration required.  

WEEKLY GLOBAL CORPORATE PRAYER:  Join BFA weekly, locally and globally for prayer to abolish slavery and for the organizations reaching, rescuing, restoring and advocating for the victims.  Fridays 8-9am EST.  For more information and prayer guide, 

CLICK HERE

. 

MONTHLY OUTREACH & CARE PACKAGE  GIFT ASSEMBLY:  1st Saturday of the month at Barry University 9am - 3pm.   

MONTHLY STRIP CLUB OUTREACHES IN FORT MYERS:  2nd Wednesday & Saturday of the month

SCHEDULE BFA FOR AN EVENT:  We provide education, in service, and trainings on human trafficking for social service agencies, universities, churches, groups, businesses, and clubs.  To schedule a speaker and for more information, CLICK HERE

Our partners enable us to do what we do, thanks!  

Julie Shematz

CEO & Founder

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  

Where Victims Become Over-Comers

The Impact of Trauma on Women & Girls Across the Lifespan Webinar 2/7 2:30 CST

THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA ON WOMEN & GIRLS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN:  Webinar February 7th 2:30PM CENTRAL 

What every health and social service provider needs to know about the importance of providing trauma-informed services to women and girls across the lifespan.

The impact of violence, abuse, human trafficking, neglect, disaster, war, and other harmful experiences continues long after the traumatic event has ended. Exposure to trauma is a pervasive issue that has significantly impacted the health and well-being of millions of Americans and nearly everyone seeking services in the public health and social services systems. Understanding how trauma affects the emotional, behavioral, cognitive, social, and physical functioning of the people we care for can improve our services.

FREE - To Register:  https://services.choruscall.com/links/womenshealth.html

Julie Shematz
CEO & Founder

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  

Where Victims Become Over-Comers

Nat'l Female Residential Program Resource, Expanding Strip Club OutREACHes & a Life Changing Volunteer Experience w/BFA

SOUTH FLORIDA HUB FOR HUMAN & SEX TRAFFICKING: Read more 

NATIONAL FEMALE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM & SHELTER LIST:  Recognizing the need for a 'victim centered' continuum of care, for the past 9 months  Beauty From Ashes (BFA) has been developing a comprehensive resource list of national female residential programs and Southwest Florida shelters.  The working resource document currently includes 85 residential program/shelter's information, location, length of stay, licensed caretakers, websites, contact names, phone numbers, cost, etc.  It was distributed to over 120 national and local human trafficking agencies including task force/coalitions, law enforcement, shelters, and sex industry ministries in order to assist them with referrals and placement of victims of commercialized sexual exploitation and human trafficking.   The resource list will be updated and distributed regularly to an exclusive recipient list only.  (Due to the need to protect the locations that trafficking victims are being placed).  A huge thanks goes out to all individuals that worked on this extensive research project!  If you would like to assist in continuing research and maintenance of this project, please email Julie Shematz or call 239.939.9218. 

MONTHLY STRIP CLUB OUTREACHES EXPANDING IN FORT MYERS:  In 2003 BFA (before we were officially a not for profit) began doing strip club outREACHes in Fort Myers and across the state of Florida.  We delivered gifts to all the clubs in Fort Myers during holidays and in 2006 we believed God asked us to do something new.  We began delivering home cooked meals to a club that the manager told BFA founder, Julie Shematz, 'you can do whatever you want, you own the club'.  In 2009, God directed us to do monthly outREACHes delivering food and gifts to this club and it was a huge step of faith since we didn't have the operating funds to do such.  He has been faithful as a Provider and as we have been faithful concentrating on this club regularly we have seen numerous women accept Christ as Savior and leave the sex industry.  Last week after Julie dreamed about another local club and gun shots repeatedly, she knew it was an open door the next morning when she saw the news that two men had been shot and killed at this establishment.  That morning at breakfast it 'just so happened' that the Sergeant handling the homicide sat across from her at a local restaurant.  After introducing herself, he acknowledged he had heard of Beauty From Ashes, discussed the case with Julie and encouraged her that the door was open to do an outREACH at the club.  The next afternoon, she and a board member, delivered gifts to the club and were welcomed by the manager to come back monthly!  We plan on going there the second Thursday afternoon of the month, in addition to doing the food and gift outREACHes at our 'adopted' club the 2nd Saturday of the month.   Revelations 3:8 "I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my Word and have not denied My name."  Our next strip club outREACHes will be 2/10 & 2/12 and we plan on saturating them with the Father's love for the holiday!  

JANUARY STRIP CLUB OUTREACH REPORT:  3 women receive Christ as Savior and 3 quit!  For report & photos, CLICK HERE.

BIBLES & GIFT ITEMS NEEDED:  With the expansion of outREACHes we will be producing twice as many outREACH gifts a month.  Currently we are producing 25-30 a month & 15-20 care packages.  We are in urgent need of bibles, inspirational books, and gift items to be used in these.  Items do not have to be identical and can be mailed to 13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 56-623, Fort Myers, FL 33907 or all 239.939.9218 to arrange for pick up.  To give directly to fund these items by giving online securely: CLICK HERE.  

I SAW A GREATER GLIMPSE OF GOD:  "Volunteering with Beauty From Ashes was an unforgettable experience...I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the God who loves unconditionally no matter what we have done. He is one who longs to heal, restore, and to redeem," Sara Karnes, The Hope Project.  READ MORE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  BFA is run by all volunteers.  As our territory is expanding, we are in desperate need of competent & committed workers to serve in the following capacities: 

Administrative:  2-4 hours a week or more (Does not have to be immediate area)

Prayer Team:  Pray through specific prayer email blasts 

and respond to email prayer requests.  

 Locally, meet for one hour.

OutREACH:  Strip club outREACHes locally (Training required)

Gift Assembly:  Meet the 1st Saturday of each month &/or to ship care packages when needed

Social Media Team:  Moderate social media websites; facebook, myspace, twitter & youtube. 

Food Coordinator:  Liaison with community restaurants 

Mentors:  Fulfill Titus 2:3 with young women and girls that have been victims of commercialized sexual exploitation  (Training required)

Research

Graphic Designer

If interested, please send email and resume to Steve Shematz or call 239.939.9218.  Application, references, and background check required for some positions.  

BREAKING FREE LIFE SKILLS & SUPPORT GROUP for former and current sex workers meets on Wednesdays from 1-3 pm at Barry University.  Free lunch and complimentary child care provided.  Registration required.  Contact Julie Shematz at julie@beautyfromashes.org or call 239-939-9218 to register.  

theCALL2XXX:  Join us weekly, locally and globally for prayer to abolish slavery and for the organizations reaching, rescuing, restoring and advocating for the victims.  Fridays 8-9am EST.  For more information and prayer guide:  CLICK HERE  

PRAYER REQUESTS:  

We care for you and have a team that prays over your every need.  

Now you can submit your prayer request via our website!  

CLICK HERE to send your prayer request.  

BFA E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP:  CLICK HERE

BFA MAILING ADDRESS UPDATE:  Our new mailing address is 13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste. 56-623, Fort Myers, FL, 33907-3871.  Please adjust your records accordingly and sorry for the inconvenience.  Our physical location has not changed and is still at Barry University. 

For the LATEST NEWS REGARDING DOMESTIC SEX TRAFFICKING, visit our home page:  http://www.BeautyFromAshes.org

As always, thank you so much for your ongoing support of BFA's mission and the girls and young women we serve.  Our supporters make it all happen! 

In Him & His service,

Julie Shematz

CEO & Founder

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  

Where Victims Become Over-Comers