Strip Club OutREACH Report, Christmas Gifts, Survivor Needs, Human Trafficking Presentations & More!

NOVEMBER STRIP CLUB OUTREACH REPORT: On Saturday, November 17th, the BFA outREACH team served a home cooked meal of Mexican casserole, salad,  queso dip, tortilla chips and various cookies to our local adopted strip club.  The team also distributed gift bags filled with beauty supplies and answered many questions regarding their faith.  They listened with compassion as women shared their heart breaking stories of desperation, hopelessness, discussed the death of a co-worker who recently overdosed and told the team of countless others they know that have died of overdoses, suicides, and homicides.  The team loved the women unconditionally, encouraged them with hope and was able to pray with them.  One woman's name was added to the Lamb's book of life and everyone expressed how much they appreciated the team coming in regularly to care for them.  

CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVE AWAY:  BFA will be assembling approximately 35 outREACH gifts and 25 care packages for women and teens in specialized safe homes/restoration programs on Saturday, December 4th at Barry University.  We are in need of creative gift items, hand made touches for these gifts,  gift cards, bibles and inspirational books.  If you, your church, care group or business would like to help us out, please call Jenni Blye, at (574) 855-7215 or email her at worshipperwithsong@yahoo.com.  

SURVIVOR NEEDS HOUSEHOLD ITEMS:  A single female with two boys (ages 11 and 9 years old), who is a client of BFA was recently relocated with only the clothes on her back.  She is in desperate need of 2 sets of king size sheets, blankets and comforters, 3 dressers, kitchen table and chairs, dishes and pots & pans.  Please contact Julie Shematz if you can provide any of these items.  

CAR NEEDED FOR SURVIVOR:  Thanks to our generous partners, we have raised $585 for the human sex trafficking survivor, single mother, that we told you about 3 weeks ago.  We sill need another $915 to purchase the $1500 car for her to use as transportation.  Will you please consider giving a tax deductible donation today?  Any amount will be appreciated and it all adds up!  If you have a well running vehicle that you would like to donate, please contact Julie Shematz.  

BREAKING FREE LIFE SKILLS & SUPPORT GROUP:  Weekly from 1pm-3pm, at Barry University, Room 500-1, we are presenting Beth Moore's Breaking Free:  The Journey, The Stories bible study.  If you are currently working in the sex for sale industry or a survivor desiring to acquire life skills and learn about who you were designed to be,  please call 239.939.9218 or email Julie Shematz for registration.  Registration required.  Free lunch will be served. Additionally, BFA is seeking mature, stable, Christian women to attend this study that are willing to provide discipleship.  If you are interested in fulfilling Titus 2:3-4 and the Great Commission, please contact Julie.  Application and background check required. 

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 101:  Sunday, November 21st  5:00-6:30pm, Christ Lutheran Church, Cape Coral, FL.  Beauty From Ashes (BFA) founder and human trafficking over-comer, Julie Shematz, will be sharing her beauty from ashes testimony and multi-media presentation: Human Trafficking 101.  Event is sponsored by the Minnesota and Friends Club.  

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 101:  HOW TO RECOGNIZE & RESPOND - Friday, December 10th 9-10am, Lee County Health Department, Fort Myers, FL.  Continued Education Units available.  Julie Shematz will be the presenter.  Event sponsored by the Lee County Health Department.  For more information on BFA Community Awareness & Education Presentations, CLICK HERE

PRAY WITH BFA:  Please agree with us that the bias and prejudice against faith based organizations be recognized and eradicated.  Pray that a spirit of unity and harmony would be demonstrated with all individuals and organizations working with human trafficking victims.  May the victims and survivors receive the immediate, long term, comprehensive and holistic care they deserve, personal agendas set aside and a 'victim-centered' approach be incorporated into all agencies.  May the survivors acquire the strength and wisdom they need to make healthy choices.  And lastly, please agree with us that their brokenness be healed in Jesus' name.  

PRAYER REQUESTS:  We care for you and have a team that prays over your every need.  Please send them to prayer@beautyfromashes.org

DONATIONS:  Your partnership is vital for us to continue providing awareness, advocacy and reach, rescue and restoration services to victims of commercialized sexual exploitation.  Please consider becoming a monthly partner by giving a tax deductible gift today.  For  $35 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, 5100 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste, 318-148, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

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

BFA E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP:  CLICK HERE

SPECIAL THANKS:  A huge thanks to everyone that called, emailed and faxed your representatives and senators regarding HR5577on the National Day of Action.  Gratitude is extended to Diplomat Wesleyan Church for hosting a beautifully organized human trafficking awareness event for us last Sunday.  And last, but not least, to all the BFA volunteers that work tirelessly to raise awareness, educate, advocate. reach, rescue and restore victims of commercialized sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Together we are better and we are making a difference! 

Steve & Julie Shematz 

President & CEO

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries  

Where Victims Become Over-Comers

"Survivors must be leaders 

in the development of 

services, shelter, and 

response protocols 

to sex trafficking.” -

National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking