DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES $1.2 MILLION IN GRANTS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES $1.2 MILLION IN GRANTS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

WASHINGTON - The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has announced the award of four grants totaling $1.2 million to support the development of strategies that protect children from commercial and sexual exploitation. These grants are part of the Department's national strategy to prevent and interdict child exploitation announced by Attorney General Eric Holder.

"Protecting our youth remains a priority with the Justice Department," said Laurie Robinson, Assistant Attorney General, OJP. "We are determined to have strategies in place that prevent, and if necessary, rescue and help children recover from exploitation. These grants will provide the resources necessary to reach the children and hold the perpetrators accountable."

OJP's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will administer the awards, which will support selected Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces by making available improved training and coordination activities, help in developing policies and procedures to identify child victims, assistance in the investigation and prosecution of adult perpetrators and the identification and adoption of best practices for compassionate victim intervention. This grant program is authorized under the Providing Resources, Officers, and Technology to Eradicate Cyber Threats to Our Children Act of 2008, (P.L. 110-401, 42 USC 17601, et seq.) ("the PROTECT Act"). Eligible applicants under the competitive solicitation were the existing 61 ICAC Task Forces and affiliate law enforcement agencies.

Recipients include:

County of Alameda, Oakland, CA ($300,000)
Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Decatur, GA ($300,000)
City of Boston, MA ($300,000)
Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Chicago, IL ($299,999)
Information about the ICAC Task Forces can be found at http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/programs/index.html

In addition, OJP also announced the release of the bulletin Effects of Federal Legislation on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. The bulletin describes the findings of an OJJDP study that examined the impact of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 on the federal prosecution of cases of children who were sexually exploited for commercial purposes. The bulletin is posted at http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/228631.pdf.

Source: Department of Justice

Dr. Richard Maybee-Director of Development & Grant Awarded to BFA

On behalf of Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries' board and staff, it pleases me to announce that Dr. Richard Maybee has accepted the position of Director of Development with our organization. Dr. Maybee has been operating as an advisor with BFA since February and brings a vast amount of experience and expertise to our governance board.

Dr. Maybee earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1966, and a Master’s degree in Communication in 1971 from Central Michigan University. He received his Doctorate in Communication and Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1978. He was a Grants Manager for the College of Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1974-1980 and was Director of Business Giving and Grants at Guilford College, Greensboro NC from 1981-1984.

Dr. Maybee was a Research Associate at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute from 1984-1986 working with drunk-driving, seatbelt use, and child restraint use statistical analysis. Since 1994, Dr. Maybee has been a full-time Assistant Professor teaching Speech, Communication and Psychology courses at Barry University School of Adult and Continuing Education, in the Fort Myers-Naples area.

Dr. Maybee’s academic research has been on Psychological Type and Personality. His current research interests include spiritual maturity, self-esteem, and experiential learning. He is currently on special assignment as Assessment Research Manager for the Experiential Learning Division for ACE along with teaching courses in Communication in Fort Myers, FL. He and his wife, Bobbie, have been members of Sanibel Community Church since 1988 where he has served on the Church Council and chaired the education and personnel committees of the church.

Dr. Maybee assisted us with the capacity building grant for which we applied from the Department of Heath and Human Services through the Southeastern Network for which we were awarded $10,165.00. It's worth mentioning that this was the first grant for which we have ever applied.

Additionally, it is my pleasure to inform you that I have been admitted to the Master of Arts program in Mental Health Counseling in the College of Education at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU).

Beauty From Ashes has truly moved into a new season of professional development and expanded impact. Our vision is that domestic victims will be given the opportunity to receive the comprehensive services they need in order to recover from the trauma and injustices done to them.

BFA E-NEWSLETTER: To sign up

Thank you for your support. Together we are making a difference.

Passionate to see victims become over-comers,

Julie Shematz
CEO & Founder
Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries
Where Victims Become Over-Comers
239.939.9218 | 877.4BFA SOS (877.423.2767) Toll Free Help Line
Physical Address: Barry University, 12381 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 506-1 | Fort Myers | FL | 33907 | USA | 239.278.3041 ext 14 | Monday-Friday 10-5
Mailing Address: 5100 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 318, PMB 148 | Fort Myers | FL | 33907 | USA

AWARENESS & PREVENTION • REACH & RESCUE • TEACH & DEMONSTRATE • TRAIN & SEND

Partner With the Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign

This week the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched their Human Trafficking Blue Campaign. Below is information about it, how to obtain resources and how to partner with DHS as they continue to lead our nation and the world in human trafficking prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.

“The battle against human trafficking is a shared responsibility involving the Department’s federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, governments around the world and communities across the nation,” said Secretary Napolitano. “With the Blue Campaign, we seek to shine a light on a crime that thrives in the shadows, bring traffickers to justice, and assist victims in communities across the nation.” READ MORE from the BFA BLOG.

Over 80% of human trafficking is sex trafficking and it's happening everywhere here in the United States. Research estimates that 100,000 - 300,000 domestic minors are being forced into prostitution yearly. 90% of youth runaways and throwaways within the 1st 48 hours will be lured into prostitution. A minor being prostituted or engaging in 'survival sex' is considered a "severe form of human trafficking." For the latest daily news on domestic sex trafficking see the BFA Home Page and become a fan on BFA's facebook fan page.

BFA E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP: CLICK HERE

You too can join the revolution and be a slavery abolitionist. Get involved! For more information: CLICK HERE

Together we are better and are making a difference!

In Him & His service,

Julie Shematz & the BFA FREEdom™ Team

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries

Where Victims Become Over-Comers

239.939.9218

877.4BFA SOS (423.2767) Toll Free Help Line

www.BeautyFromAshes.org

AWARENESS & PREVENTION • REACH & RESCUE • TEACH & DEMONSTRATE • TRAIN & SEND

Mailing Address: 5100 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 318, PMB 148 | Fort Myers | FL | 33907 | USA | 877.4BFA SOS (877.423.2767) Toll Free Help Line

Physical Address: Barry University, 12381 S. Cleveland Avenue, Suite 506-1 | Fort Myers | FL | 33907 | USA | 239.278.3041 ext 14

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Carey, Ramona" <Ramona.Carey@dhs.gov>

Date: July 29, 2010 1:45:24 PM EDT

To: "BlueCampaign" <Bluecampaign@dhs.gov>

Subject: Thank You

Dear Partner,

On behalf of Alice Hill, John Morton, Ali Mayorkas, Alan Bersin, and Ken Keene, we at the Department of Homeland Security would like to extend our sincere thanks to you for participating in the DHS Blue Campaign events last week. We were thrilled to launch the Blue Campaign with nearly 400 of you present – in person, via phone, and via live web stream.

We'd love for you to stay involved. Please find below some suggested steps for you, your colleagues, and your organization.

1. STAY IN TOUCH WITH DHS. If you would like to stay updated on meetings, events, and DHS news on human trafficking,please email BlueCampaign@dhs.gov your 1) name, 2) organization, 3) title, 4) email, 5) phone, and 6) mailing address. (Multiple colleagues from the same organization can be on the list.)

2. REQUEST RESOURCES TO BE MAILED TO YOU. Pending supply, we'd be happy to send your organization some of the pamphlets, "shoe cards", and other resources that we displayed at the public launch. Please email BlueCampaign@dhs.gov your 1) name, 2) organization, 3) mailing address, 4) item(s), and 5) quantity.

3. VISIT DHS.GOV/HUMANTRAFFICKING, a one-stop shop for DHS resources to combat human trafficking. Take some time to browse through the resources we've listed for community organizations, law enforcement, victims, and the general public.

4. JOIN OurBorder, an online collaborative platform where you connect with colleagues and peer organizations in the fight against human trafficking, as well as with DHS officials who are working to address border issues you care about. To join, click “Sign Up” in the top right corner of http://ourborder.ning.com/

Separately, we will send notes from the stakeholder meeting that took place on July 22nd after the launch. DHS plans to convene another stakeholder meeting in November or December, 2010.

We thank you again for all that you do in this shared effort. Please feel free to forward this email to any of your colleagues working to combat human trafficking. And as always, please send over any thoughts or suggestions to me at Ramona.Carey@dhs.gov or BlueCampaign@dhs.gov (CC'ed).

Respectfully,

Ramona

Ramona Carey

Special Assistant to the Senior Counselor to the Secretary

Office of the Secretary

Department of Homeland Security

Ramona.Carey@dhs.gov

Exploiting the Exploited "In the Name of Jesus"

I received a forwarded email about a porn show outreach/ministry report earlier this week that as I read it three things struck me as ‘not right’. Not wanting to focus on the negative I quickly dismissed it, rejoiced more people were stepping out of their comfort zone to reach out in this darkness, said a prayer over the situation and moved on to other things. This morning I was forwarded another email related to the original email, this time it was highlighting a faith based anti-trafficking organization that posted the outreach report I mentioned into their blog. I felt my spirit twist as I then saw it was referenced to a well known Christian magazine blog.

I clicked on the link and it took me to the magazine blog where the initial email was submitted from the original writer as a ‘guest blogger’. My heart sank as I read through it again realizing they

#1. Used the actual names of the individuals they ‘reached out to’ at a porn expo.
#2. Went into explicit detail of the personal information people shared with them in confidence.
#3. Said there was a company selling iPhone porn apps.

Immediately my thought was ‘I hope the persons mentioned do not see this’ and I found myself reading through the comments. To even greater shock it was apparent that not only had the person whom the majority of the ministry report was written about read it, they had commented and their comment was deleted! As I my heart pounded I read the comments of well meaning Christians defending what this person had said and believers arguing back and forth defending the woman whose comment was deleted and the woman who wrote the ministry report. The comments went into detail of the content of the victim's deleted comment. I will call her from here forward the victim. She apparently accused the guest blogger of using her and exploiting her to promote the blogger’s book on sex trafficking, which the magazine article highlighted. The rest of the comments were believers debating who was right and who was wrong and my heart went out to the victim that was clearly re-exploited whose comment was deleted.

What kind of witness is this? How do you think this victim feels about Christians now? She bears her soul and life background to a woman that takes a great deal of effort to show interest in her life and this person, who happens to be an author of a book, posts the details of the experience on a Christian magazine blog.

I understand the desire to want people to know how God is using us to touch the broken, forgotten, discarded and downcast and I have made many, many, many mistakes in ministry. I’ll be the first to admit it, however, I have learned from those mistakes some of the most valued lessons. In the training for sex industry worker outreach and ministry we cover many of these mistakes in hope that others won’t have to make them. One of the topics we cover is this.

Trust is the crucial element that as ministers of the gospel we need to establish in order to build relationships that will result in discipleship. We also need to be sensitive to people’s privacy. Public emails and blogs that go into detail with people’s names and their personal lives, when they have not signed a release of information, is wrong any way you look at it and could cause significant harm to the very individuals we are trying to reach ‘in the name of Christ’. This woman’s experience with Christians reaching out to her at a porn expo has been sabotaged and the already sensitive issue was compounded when the comment in which she tried to state her hurt, disappointment and opinion was deleted from the blog. The message she received, ‘what you think doesn’t matter’ and ‘you were used to promote a ministry, a book and a magazine’.

As a victim’s advocate, social justice missionary and a licensed minister who has worked with victims of commercialized sexual exploitation for over 14 years, please don’t use people’s real names you come into contact with, nor go into detail of personal information they share with you about their lives in emails, blogs or newsletters. I understand the desire to share with people the details of a divine God encounter, but we need to be sensitive to people’s privacy. This is a perfect example of what could happen. Sadly, the young woman whose details of her tragic life was shared publicly may have ground for a lawsuit now as well. More importantly, her perspective of ‘Christians’ has clearly been tarnished and worse yet, she’s been re-exploited and likely traumatized AGAIN.

It’s imperative that we use wisdom and common sense when reporting information publicly and it’s time ministers start doing this, trusting God to bring exposure and support to the work we are doing ‘in the name of Jesus’. If God has given you a vision, He will also give you provision in a manner that does not include the exploitation of the precious people we are trying to reach in His name.

Let me share with you the definition of exploitation according to Wikipedia, “In political economy, economics, and sociology, exploitation involves a persistent social relationship in which certain persons are being mistreated or unfairly used for the benefit of others. This corresponds to one ethical conception of exploitation, that is, the treatment of human beings as mere means to an end—or as mere ‘objects’. In different terms, ‘exploitation’ refers to the use of people as a resource, with little or no consideration of their well-being.”

I love that so many people are wanting to reach out to those in the sex industry, but we need to use wisdom and common sense when sharing with others what we are doing. Before hitting ‘send’ ask yourself, 'what would the person I’m writing about think if they read this? Would it build them up, solidify the trust I am establishing with them or will they feel exploited and possibly used?' and 'Is this in the best interest of the person I am making reference to?' If we are not careful we will end up re-exploiting the very people we are trying to rescue from being exploited.

Lastly, for the record, Apple does not allow apps that contain porn for their iPhones. The author of the outreach report stated the victim worked at a booth selling such. I confirmed this through Apple. Apple is the only cell phone that doesn’t allow them, though their competitors do, which is most likely what the victim was selling. Stating that there are iPhone apps for porn is simply not true. Bottom line, neither Apple, nor this victim, should of been ‘sold out’ for this public ministry report. There is something significantly wrong that needs to be changed when major corporations that are actively taking a stand against the evils of pornography are falsely accused of the opposite and victims are re-exploited “in the name of Christ”. Jesus died to set us free. Hopefully we can all learn from this and work together to protect those we are trying to set free. They deserve the right of privacy with or without the name of Jesus.

Julie Shematz
Founder & CEO of Beauty From Ashes Ministries

DHS Launch of "Blue Campaign" to Combat Human Trafficking

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today launched the “Blue Campaign”—a DHS-wide initiative to combat human trafficking through enhanced public awareness, victim assistance programs, and law enforcement training and initiatives.

“The battle against human trafficking is a shared responsibility involving the Department’s federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, governments around the world and communities across the nation,” said Secretary Napolitano. “With the Blue Campaign, we seek to shine a light on a crime that thrives in the shadows, bring traffickers to justice, and assist victims in communities across the nation.”

The Blue Campaign was officially launched today by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Deputy Director Ken Keene and Alice Hill, Senior Counselor to Secretary Napolitano—underscoring the unified effort to prevent human trafficking, assist victims and hold traffickers accountable by bringing together the Department’s diverse resources and expertise under one initiative.

To help citizens learn to identify and properly report indicators of human trafficking, the Department is launching public outreach tools that include social media, multilingual public awareness campaigns, and a new, comprehensive one-stop website for the Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking at www.dhs.gov/humantrafficking.

The Blue Campaign also features new training initiatives for law enforcement and DHS personnel, enhanced victim assistance efforts, and the creation of new partnerships and interagency collaboration—including the deployment of additional victim assistance specialists and specialized training for law enforcement personnel.

The Blue Campaign’s name and symbol were chosen by the Department to evoke the “thin blue line” of law enforcement, as well as the global anti-human trafficking symbols the Blue Blindfold, produced by the United Kingdom Human Trafficking Center, and the Blue Heart, developed by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, to help raise international awareness about this issue.

A fact sheet detailing the numerous aspects of the campaign across the Department is available here.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov/humantrafficking.

Source: GOVMONITOR

BFA New Office Location in Fort Myers, FL!

BFA NEW OFFICE LOCATION: It gives me great pleasure to announce that Beauty From Ashes Ministries has moved our office location to Barry University in central Fort Myers, FL. Office hours will be Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm and by appointment. Our new location's address is: 12381 South Cleveland Avenue, Suite 506-1, Fort Myers, FL 33907. We are on the fifth floor of the Sunrise Office Center, also known as the Gorovoy Vision Center. It's the only high rise building in the area and it has a huge eye on the top floor facing West and one facing East, on US 41 between Crystal and College next to the Villas Center.

On behalf of myself, BFA's board, staff and partners, I would like to publicly thank Dr. Richard Maybee, Dr. Howard Bell and Dr. Trish Herman of Barry University for their generosity and willingness to partner with Beauty From Ashes.

If you would like to know about the work we do as advocates and service providers for victims of sex trafficking and commercialized sexual exploitation, please visit our website.

Community partnerships are vital to providing the comprehensive recovery services that victims require for restoration. If you would like to partner with us, contact me.

MONTHLY VOLUNTEER/TEAM MEETINGS: We have team meetings the first Saturday of the month 9am - 2pm. Our next meeting is August 7th and we will be meeting at Barry University. For a list of areas with which we are in need of assistance, CLICK HERE. You too can be a slavery abolitionist. Get involved with BFA!

E-NEWSLETTER: To sign up, CLICK HERE

Together we are better and can make a difference!

In His passionate love to see victims become over-comers,

Julie Shematz
CEO & Founder
Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries
Where Victims Become Over-Comers
239.939.9218
877.4BFA SOS (423.2767) Toll Free Help Line

AWARENESS & PREVENTION • REACH & RESCUE • TEACH & DEMONSTRATE • TRAIN & SEND

US/Washington DC: Domestic Trafficking of Minors Briefing Notice

US/Washington DC: Domestic Trafficking of Minors Briefing Notice
BRIEFING NOTICE:
Domestic Sex Trafficking of Minors

The Victims’ Rights Caucus and the Human Trafficking Caucus cordially invite you to attend a briefing to discuss the pervasive and troubling issue of domestic minor sex trafficking of minors.

When: Monday July 19 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Where: 2220 Rayburn House Office Building

Speakers:
Former Congresswoman Linda Smith, Founder and President, Shared Hope International
Sergeant Ryan Long, Vice Division, Seattle Police Department
Ernie Allen, President and CEO, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Emily Fitchpatrick, Director, Hope House/On Eagles Wings, North Carolina
Sidney Ford, Founder and Executive Director, You Are Never Alone, Maryland

While many know the horrors of international sex trafficking, sexual violence and trafficking of American girls remains largely invisible. Experts estimate that each year at least 100,000 children in the United States are exploited through prostitution.

These girls who are bought and sold for sex are just that - girls, most between the ages of 12 and 14. They are sexually exploited for their youth, routinely raped, beaten into submission and even tattooed like cattle by their pimps. Shockingly, those who traffic American girls are rarely prosecuted.

Domestic minor sex trafficking is a form of modern day slavery. Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Christopher Smith have introduced H.R. 5575, the Domestic Minor Sex trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010 to provide the framework for the targeted and effective solutions to this problem.

We invite you to attend and learn more about solutions to address this issue.
For more information or questions, please contact Amy English at amy@sharedhope.org or 703.351.8062.

This briefing is open to the public.

Pornography Has Devastating Effects on Society

The tentacles of pornography have poisoned our society and declared war on morality. Jobs, marriages, reputations and personal lives have all been ruined for the sake of a greedy, heartless industry.

Now the latest stats show a growing audience and links to violence at ever younger ages:

~ 800 million porn videos are rented in the U.S. every year
~ Sixty-six percent of men ages 18 to 34 peruse at least one of the 40,000+ porn Web sites every month.
~ Twenty-nine out of thirty juvenile sex offenders have viewed x-rated materials
~ Ninety percent of porn is violent, fueling violent sexual crimes

It’s a seven billion dollar business that feeds the brain and corrupts the soul. There is nothing harmless about the content. The Internet provides easy accessibility attracting first-time curious onlookers at the average age of nine. Boys tend to be more likely to gravitate toward the x-rated stuff than girls, but studies have shown a growing tendency for both. In a research study done by Pamela Paul, From Pornography to Porno to Porn: How Porn Became the Norm, is an example of an eleven-year old girl who was building a porn web site. Her friends thought it was cool, so she went along with it. For too many children, pornography is their first education about sex, leading to unrealistic expectations and unhealthy relationships. Innocence lost.

Paul has interviewed many addicts for her book Pornified and has come to this conclusion: "Pornography's effects rippled out, touching all aspects of their existence," Paul said. "Their work days became interrupted, their hobbies were tossed aside, their family lives were disrupted. Some men even lost their jobs, their wives, and their children."

No doubt about it. Men, women, teens and even pre-adolescents are negatively affected by porn. The lure of this evil has no class, gender, age or faith barrier. According to one expert, Dr. Mary Anne Layden, a psychotherapist and director of the University of Pennsylvania's Sexual Trauma and Psychopathology Program, anyone who chooses to cross over to the dark side will not be unscathed. Some type of damage occurs when pornography is seen.

Clay Crosse, Christian Recording Artist, struggled for years with pornography and it almost cost him his marriage. In his book I Surrender All, he confessed: "My life was on a collision course with disaster. It was just a matter of time … My pleasure. My desire. My lusts … Porn entertained me for awhile, but eventually I started to ask myself, "I wonder what it would be like to have two women at the same time?" Set free from the need for porn, Crosse and his wife Renee help other families through their ministry Holy Homes.

Porn is a trap that snares even the most cautious, but there are safeguards. Website blockers like Wisechoice guard against temptation. CleanHotels.com assures a hotel stay that is porn-free. Parents can keep watch over children, and couples can create accountability measures. Ministries through local churches, like Discovery Church and First Baptist Church in Orlando, have counseling.

Fighting on the legal front are groups like "The Coalition for the War on Illegal Pornography," who are working with Congress for better laws. Recently this group held a briefing titled "Pornography Harms: What Congress can do to Enforce Existing Laws." Concerned Women for America (CWA) helped sponsor the event. Dr. Janice Shaw Crouse, Senior Fellow at CWA's Beverly LaHaye Institute, said, "This briefing focuses on the harms of pornography … The data shows that porn has taken over much of the nation's entertainment; it is addictive, it's pervasive, and it's harmful."

In an industry that knows no bounds, child pornography is ever increasing. A federal task force found the area between Jacksonville and Orlando, Florida to be the country’s worst offender. A Jacksonville.com report noted that "research has consistently shown a strong connection between viewing child porn and sexually abusing children."

On the flip side of the issue are those who thought it would be glamorous to be a porn star, but found instead a lifestyle that brought degradation and disease. Just ask Shelly Lubben, former porn star and prostitute, about the ravages of a life looking for love in all the wrong places.
Quite the story to tell, Lubben explains in candid detail how a lonely young girl can get caught up into the business of sex. In her case, drug and alcohol addiction were all wrapped up into a life she no longer wanted. Suicide was something she tried more than once. "Drug overdoses, Herpes, suicide attempts and abuse on the porn set. I nearly died but by the grace of God I survived," she stated on her Web site. She surrendered to the love of Jesus and was restored to be the way God meant her to be; a loving wife and mother. It was an eight year process, but now she reaches out to help others find the Way.

"It's not harmless adult entertainment, as some would like us to believe, but a real, measurable and undeniable threat to individuals, families and society. The crucial question before us is not whether or not the state has a compelling interest in protecting society from the harm of pornography, but rather, given the overwhelming evidence of harm, why it chooses to do so little?"

Source: Examiner.com

Strip Club OutREACH Report

On Saturday, July 10, 2010, Beauty From Ashes Ministries served warm homemade comfort food: chicken and dumplings, cheesy mashed potatoes, cornbread muffins, salad and butterscotch apple and fudge brownies to the employees of our adopted strip club in Fort Myers, FL. We also gave away gift bags with Bibles, beauty supplies & hair accessories to the employees. The outREACH team, including two former sex workers and the Vice President and Chair for the Faith Based Initiative of the Broward County Human Trafficking Coalition, for the first time did foot washings in the form of mini pedicures and manicures for the ladies, read the story of woman with the alabaster bottle to them, studied the bible, played praise music and served communion, all from the locker room. 6 women gave their hearts to the Lord, everyone was prayed for, including the manager! Even a customer knew the team were messengers of God when he was brought to tears after inquiring what they were doing there. He said his brother is a pastor and knew his brother prays for him faithfully. :+) To God be ALL the glory! The success of this outreach is the manifestation of God's goodness, presence, our perseverance for over 7 years of going into this particular club and TEAMWORK.

Thank you Beauty From Ashes supporters & partners. Together we are making a difference & advancing the kingdom of God!

To see pictures of the AMAZING outREACH and more news, check out our facebook fan page: CLICK HERE

One of our supporters was moved to send us this scripture which the Lord brought to his mind after viewing the pictures:

"Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and
the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.

All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be."

Psalm 139:7-18 NLT

BFA E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP: CLICK HERE

BFA CURRENT NEEDS: You too can join the revolution and be a slavery abolitionist. Get involved! For more information: CLICK HERE

In His love & service,
Julie Shematz & the BFA FREEdom™ Team

Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries
Where Victims Become Over-Comers
239.939.9218
877.4BFA SOS (423.2767) Toll Free Help Line

AWARENESS & PREVENTION • REACH & RESCUE • TEACH & DEMONSTRATE • TRAIN & SEND

Strip Club Outreach & SE Florida Strip Club Outreach & Trafficking Ministry Trainer of Trainers

STRIP CLUB OUTREACH: Fort Myers, FL Saturday July 10 7pm - 11pm EST The BFA outreach team will not only be serving up homemade chicken and dumplings and fixings, but also delivering gifts that include beauty supplies and Bibles in their adopted club. They will be debuting their new foot washing, pedicures and manicures, thanks to Mary Kay, in addition to offering communion and sharing the story of Mary Magdelene with the dancers. Please keep the outreach team and their families in your prayers. We have two women traveling over from Miami. Agree with us for safe traveling, hearts to be prepared, favor, captives set free, destinies altered and names to be added to the Lamb's book of Life.

STRIP CLUB OUTREACH & TRAFFICKING MINISTRY TRAINING: Fort Lauderdale, FL. BFA will be doing a force multiplier trainer of trainers for those interested in this unique type of outreach & ministry on the South East Coast of Florida. If interested, please email. Application, background check and committee evaluation required. For more information on BFA's national curriculum and training, CLICK HERE

ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY RADIO INTERVIEW with GUEST JULIE SHEMATZ: BFA's founder shares her testimony of beauty from ashes and healing journey, what's involved in getting out of your comfort zone to reach the lost, gives advice on how to start such a ministry, addresses the national crisis of domestic sex trafficking in all our backyards, the complexities of working with survivors and transparently shares the mistakes she has learned from. You can listen to the entire entire interview here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/anythingbutordinary/2010/06/30/anything-but-ordinary-radio--shematz-rodriguez

PLEASE PRAY WITH BFA: Agree with us that those we have influenced will receive revelation of who God is, His love for them and who they are in Christ. May their faith increase, they be strengthened, doors of opportunity be opened and that they walk in the fullness of all God planned for them.

theCALL2XXX: Join us for weekly global 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. Please send them to prayer@beautyfromashes.org

BFA E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP: CLICK HERE

BFA CURRENT NEEDS: You too can be a slavery abolitionist. Get involved! For more information: CLICK HERE

DONATIONS: We need your help to continue providing awareness, advocacy and reach, rescue and restoration services to victims of commercialized sexual exploitation (CSE). Please consider 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.

Thanks for your encouragement and support. Together we are making a difference!

Julie Shematz & the BFA FREEdom™ Team
Founder & CEO
Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries
Where Victims Become Over-Comers
239.939.9218
877.4BFA SOS (423.2767) International Toll Free Help Line

AWARENESS & PREVENTION • REACH & RESCUE • TEACH & DEMONSTRATE • TRAIN & SEND

YouTube Channel Launched in War on Illegal Pornography

The Coalition for the War on Illegal Pornography today announced the launching of a new YouTube Channel in its efforts to educate the public on the harm from pornography. The site, http://www.youtube.com/user/PornHarms, provides a wide variety of educational videos on the harm from pornography to children, the extreme violence against women prominently depicted in popular porn today, the significant incidence of addiction to pornography, the links between sex trafficking and pornography and many other damaging effects of pornography.

“Harm from pornography is an untreated pandemic,” said Patrick A. Trueman, the leader of the Coalition, a loose-knit group of organizations and individuals who are urging enforcement of Federal laws against illegal pornography. “The devastating effects of pornography on society are more apparent than ever nearly 20 years into the Internet age,” he said. “If Federal laws against illegal porn were vigorously enforced, many of these ills would be diminished or disappear all together.”

Federal laws prohibit distribution of hardcore pornography, called obscenity, on the Internet, on cable/satellite or hotel/motel TV, and in retail establishments yet those laws are not currently enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Coalition posted videos on the new YouTube channel from its June 15 briefing to the U. S. Congress at which experts from across many disciplines discussed the harmful effects of pornography.

“Videos from the briefing have already been viewed more than 14,000 times in just the couple weeks it took to build out our YouTube site,” noted Trueman who is the former chief of the U.S. Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in Washington, D.C. “The videos have been copied by numerous other websites, including those belonging to newspapers and magazines. The viral nature of the Internet assures that the critical information we are providing on the devastation from porn gets a wide audience,” said Trueman.

The PornHarms YouTube site also links to studies on harm, to other sites fighting against pornography purveyors, and to sites offering help for those addicted to porn.
“Our YouTube site is the perfect complement to our educational website launched earlier this year, Pornography Harms, http://pornharms.com, on which we post all peer-reviewed research articles demonstrating the harm from pornography,” he said.

“Pornography is negatively affecting nearly every American family and the public is right to demand that Federal laws against illegal adult pornography be vigorously enforced, Trueman said.”

Source: July 7, 2010 email from Patrick A. Trueman
Contact Patrick A. Trueman
mailto:p.trueman@verizon.net
703-938-1776

BFA Founder on Anything But Ordinary Radio 6/30/10 12pm EST

ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY RADIO INTERVIEW with GUEST JULIE SHEMATZ: Wednesday, June 30th 12:30-12:55pm EST

The show airs live on Wednesdays from 12pm – 1pm EST on BTR an internet radio station with millions of listeners and shows in a wide variety of categories. Listeners can hear the stream live a http://www.blogtalkradio.com/anythingbutordinary. Julie's episode will also available for download and on iTunes and archived at http://www.anythingbutordinary.net within 48 hours of the broadcast.

Public Communications and Outreach
Beauty From Ashes Ministries
For more information, visit BFA's Founder, call 239.939.9218 or email

Beauty From Ashes Story - Human Trafficking Victim Graduates High School as Valedictorian

Human trafficking victim graduates high school as valedictorian

Dramatic turnaround triggered by 'angel'

Rosita Curry, who was featured in a Dispatch article on human trafficking a year ago, graduated from high school as a valedictorian this month.

On a chilly, rainy April night on Hudson Street, Rosita Curry was ready to give up. She had no money or food, no place to go. Her left leg had gone numb from the cold.

On the streets for seven years, Curry, just 19, was tired of having to sell her body, being abused by pimps, feeding her insatiable need for drugs, sleeping in a cardboard box instead of a bed.

"I don't want to die out here!" she recalls thinking. "God, won't you please give me just one person that will stick with me?"

It seems that God was listening.

Just 15 months after that night of despair, Curry found herself walking across a stage at Columbus State Community College, dressed in a spotless white graduation cap and gown with a bright yellow sash that proudly told the world that the girl from the streets who nobody wanted was valedictorian of her high-school class.

Lynn Kee, Curry's probation officer for several years, was in the audience at the June 13 graduation, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks.

"Her turnaround was about as dramatic as you get," said Kee, now retired. "This is the first real success in her life. It shows that even under the worst of circumstances, you can excel."

Just a year ago, Curry was one of several young women profiled in a Dispatch package about human sex and labor trafficking, a festering problem in Ohio that is no longer confined to foreign countries.

Curry's story began when she was 13 and wandered E. Main Street looking for the two brothers she hadn't seen since their parents died several years earlier.

Eventually, the fragile teenager was taken in by an older man who clothed, fed and cared for her. However, he soon sold her to a pimp who began prostituting her.

Nearly seven years later, on that rainy April night in 2009 when she cried out to God, Curry was arrested and charged with offering oral sex to an undercover police officer for $20.

At her lowest point, lost and bewildered in the Franklin County Jail on Jackson Pike, the "one person" Curry prayed for showed up.

Marlene Carson, the founder of Rahab's Hideaway, a small local shelter for human-trafficking victims, had been asked to visit Curry by both Kee and the Columbus police officer who arrested her.

"Oh, she was a mess," Carson said. "I saw somebody that had been very abused and very neglected. It was looking in a mirror from my own younger days."

"I just started crying," Curry said. "I felt like she was an angel."

Carson gave Curry a place to live, helped get her in drug rehabilitation and encouraged her interest in enrolling in Youth Build Columbus Community School, 1183 Essex Ave. The school is a place for troubled youth dropouts ages 17 to 21.

Curry buckled down to study for the first time in her life. She found math hard but English easier. She did well in all her classes, focusing on nursing-assistant training. Toward the end of the school year, she was surprised to hear her grades had earned her the honor of valedictorian in her small graduating class of 15 students.

"They surprised me," she said. "I didn't even know what a valedictorian was."

Curry is considering going to college, or taking more training as a nurse or a cosmetologist.

While she's come a long way in 15 months, some of the street still clings to Curry. She doesn't like crowded rooms because she said you always have to "watch your back." Sometimes, while watching television, something will jog a suppressed memory and she will blurt out a sad story from her past.

But Curry plans to move forward, not backward.

"I already know how to do bad," she said. "Now, I want to learn how to do good."

For more information about Rehab's Hideaway, visit: http://www.rahabshideaway.org/

BY ALAN JOHNSON

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

Urgent Needs 4 HT Survivors, Radio, Volunteer Mtg, Strip Club OutREACH & More

URGENT NEEDS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS: Fort Myers, FL - 21 year old mother of small child & 23 year old woman. Apartment needed that costs around $500 a month and all furnishings for apartment/home. For more information, contact Alex Oliveras at 239-677-6162 or aolivares@ccslee.org

ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY RADIO INTERVIEW with GUEST JULIE SHEMATZ: Wednesday, June 30th 12:30-12:55pm EST The show airs live on Wednesdays from 12pm – 1pm EST on BTR an internet radio station with millions of listeners and shows in a wide variety of categories. Listeners can hear the stream live at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/anythingbutordinary. Julie's episode will also available for download and on iTunes and archived at http://www.anythingbutordinary.net within 48 hours of the broadcast.

"The greatest plan that Jesus ever presented in His ministry
was the ministry of service."
- Smith Wigglesworth

VOLUNTEER MEETING: Saturday, July 3 9am-12pm Fort Myers, FL BFA will have our monthly volunteer meeting for existing and new volunteers. We are in need of mature, faithful, responsible and committed servants in the following areas/positions: Administration, Beauty Supply Inventory, Gift Assembly, Outreach & Gift Assembly Coordinators, Outreach Cooks, Case Management, Mentors and Social Media Team. If you've wanted to get involved, now is the time. We do video conferencing for those not in the Fort Myers area. Become a slavery abolitionist & join the BFA FREEdom™ Team today! Call 239.939.9218 for more info.

STRIP CLUB OUTREACHES: We do monthly strip club outreaches on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Our next will be July 10 and we will be delivering gifts as well as food. We need assistance with gift bag assembly for approximately 35 employees. Please contact us if you would like to help. If you're interested in being a cook, please contact Tirzah Brown at 239-410-2585 or tirzah.brown@yahoo.com

"I am among you as the One who serves." - Jesus
(Luke 22:27 NLT)

BFA TRAINING & HUMAN TRAFFICKING EDUCATION: One of our goals is to educate the community and equip others to reach, rescue and restore victims of commercialized sexual exploitation and trafficking with the message there is help and a way out. Since 2005, we have been educating and training locally and across the United States in the development of our victim centered model. Currently we have equipped 27 other organizations and produced a 40+ page national curriculum that covers all aspects of sex worker outREACH. We also utilize international and national trafficking curriculum in presentations. Programs we offer:
Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking
Human Trafficking - Hearing from the Victims & Addressing Demand
Sex Worker AfterCARE
Street OutREACH
Strip Club OutREACH
XXX OutREACH

PLEASE PRAY WITH BFA: Agree with us that those we have influenced will receive revelation of who God is and who they are in Christ. May their faith increase, they be strengthened, doors of opportunity be opened and that they walk in the fullness of all God planned for them.

theCALL2XXX: Join us for weekly global 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. Please send them to prayer@beautyfromashes.org

BFA E-NEWSLETTER SIGN UP: CLICK HERE

DONATIONS: We need your help to continue providing awareness, advocacy and reach, rescue and restoration services to victims of commercialized sexual exploitation (CSE). Please consider 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.

A very special thank you to everyone that responded to my appeal to help my family in Indiana who suffered a total loss of their home in a tornado. Aunt Rhonda told me they have received gifts cards and packages from all over. I know Kimberly, Alex and Alexis are grateful for your generosity and kindness.

Together we are better and are making a difference.

In His love & service,
Julie Shematz
CEO & Founder
Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries
Where Victims Become Over-Comers
239.939.9218
877.4BFA SOS (877.423.2767) Toll Free Help Line

AWARENESS & PREVENTION • REACH & RESCUE • TEACH & DEMONSTRATE • TRAIN & SEND