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Friday, March 23, 2012

NEWSLETTER: OutREACH Report, Documentary, Award Nomination, Events, & More!!


We are honored to share that our Founder, Julie Shematz, was nominated by staff for Florida Gulf Coast University's Graduate Student of the Year. Julie is currently in her final year of acquiring a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. Students chosen as candidates for Student of the Year have demonstrated standards of excellence scholastically, as well as within their community and society as a whole. Daily, Julie exemplifies principles of excellence, whether studying, interning at The Salvation Army, leading staff and volunteers as the Executive Director of Beauty From Ashes, or horseback riding (her favorite self-care technique). She is MORE than an overcomer and already a winner in the eyes of those who know her!

MARCH STRIP CLUB OUTREACH REPORT: On Saturday, March 10th, our team witnessed God's power, love, and grace in a mighty way, during our monthly outreach to a local strip club. Upon arriving in the locker room of the club, team members set up a beautiful spread including homemade lasagna, tossed salad, fresh flowers, and yummy cookies for desert! Team members had not yet set down the food and packages when a young woman ran back to ask for help in building a new life. The young woman had been connecting with the team over the past year and contemplating seeking help for weeks prior to the outreach. She showed up at a local church the next morning and has been receiving weekly counseling and support services since then! The rest of the night was equally successful as team members were blessed to share hugs, tears, and listening ears with the women working. The evening ended with the distribution of gift bags that included beauty supplies, human trafficking information, and the best of all, God's Word. The bags were prepared with lots of love the previous night by a group of volunteers from SouthWest Florida Christian Academy, Florida Gulf Coast University, and the Fit For Eternity class at McGregor Baptist Church. CICK HERE for pictures of the outreach.

SUPPORT & LIFE SKILLS GROUP: A support and life skills group, Breaking Free, is being held in the Fort Myers area on Tuesday's from 7-8:30pm. The adult women's, closed group, is being led by a master's level mental health clinician.  If you are currently, or have been, involved in the adult entertainment industry and/or are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are eligible to attend. Registration required. To register and for more information, (239) 939-9218.

STAFF SEARCH: We are currently hiring for an administrative assistant/secretary position. CLICK HERE for more information. 

DOCUMENTARY FILMING: March 9th and 10th, a film crew from Life Focus TV in Chicago, visited to interview over-comers, Julie and Christa (Program Manager) and document the model of operations Beauty From Ashes follows to reach, rescue, & restore victims of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.  Beauty From Ashes will be featured in the  documentary on sex trafficking set to air on the Public Broadcast System in approximately 3 months. We'll keep you posted of the dates as we find out! 

BLOGS: Awareness leads to Prevention, Intervention, & Restoration! Check out our recent press coverage by the Fort Myers' News Press and WINK News, as well as our staff, interns, and volunteers' blogs on Human Sex Trafficking! 

"When people think of a human-trafficking victim . . . many don't realize a victim also can be local, such as Fort Myers resident Julie Shematz." News Press. Read more

FGCU students "tell WINK News they're trying to make people stop turning a blind eye to such a terrible issue, and their fight against human trafficking starts with some education." by Wink News. Watch news clip and read more

FLORIDA TAKES A STAND BY PASSING TWO NEW HUMAN TRAFFICKING BILLS! by Michelle Morton & Christa Hicks. Read more

BFA STAFF RETREAT:  "He gave me beauty for ashes. When I sat around the evening camp fire . . . God showed me how I represented the ashes being burnt and how through  the ashes came this beautiful fire that was burning bright." Michelle Morton. Read  more about the 5 days of camping and horseback riding along the banks of Suwanee River.



EAGLES AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY EVENT AT FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY," by Gabriela Diaz. Read more

PAST EVENTS: A group of student abolitionists, from Florida Gulf Coast University did an OUTSTANDING job coordinating and hosting Eagles Against Modern Slavery. Events, including 72 hours of prayer, spanned over 3 days and included a live performance by the local band, "Who Is Jon", free pizza and desserts, a documentary showing, and guest speakers including our founder, Julie Shematz. CLICK HERE for pictures of the event. 

Saturday, March 17th, Julie Shematz presented at Pure Passion in Fort Myers, FL. We, at Beauty From Ashes, were abundantly blessed by those in attendance; their willingness to serve and the immediate follow through they displayed was a great example of what it means to GET INVOLVED.   


UPCOMING AWARENESS/EDUCATION EVENTS: 
 Join us Friday, March 23rd and Sunday March 25th, at Sanibel Community Church; Julie Shematz will be speaking at their annual mission's conference. CLICK HERE for more information and directions.

Our NATIONAL SEX INDUSTRY OutREACH & AfterCARE Training is being held at Barry University July 26th-28th. 
Whether you have already started an outREACH, or are planning to, our seasoned, comprehensive, training will better equip you to professionally and holistically reach, rescue, and restore the marginalized populous of sex workers and trafficking victims.


95+ Page Manual/Topics Covered:
BFA Structure
BFA Operations Model
Human Trafficking & Sex Trafficking
Who are the Victims?
Bias & Prejudice
Mental Health Challenges
Strip Club/Sex Industry OutREACH
Building Your Team
AfterCARE
Community Engagement
Public Information
        Common Issues of Sex Workers & Boundaries
Mentoring
Self-Care
       Health Care Workers
  The Traffickers & the Facilitators

CLICK HERE for more information and to register.  Limited seating. 

Check out these events and others by  CLICKING HERE. To schedule an overcomer or BFA  at your event, 
 or call (239) 939-9218. 

MARCH PRAYER ALERT: Prayer is foundational to BFA and we covet yours. CLICK HERE for details on how to pray for us. 

DONATIONS:  We rely on private donations for program and operational costs.  Please consider giving a tax deductible gift today.  For $25 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. 

BFA E-NEWSLETTER:  CLICK HERE to sign up.

BFA FACEBOOK FAN PAGE & TWITTER:  Become a fan on the BFA facebook fanpage and follow us on Twitter.  Get informed and raise awareness by reposting and retweeting!  

In collaboration with United Way, the Salvation Army, and Lee Physician's Healthcare, from one location, we provide comprehensive and integrative services (medical, mental health, social, and spiritual) to victims of commercialized sexual exploitation. Thank you for your support.  Because of you, since 2005, we've served over 1000 clients and are recognized as a leading human trafficking service agency in the state of Florida. TOGETHER we are making a difference!

Committed to seeing victims become over-comers and victim-centerered services, shelters, and response protocols,

Christa Hicks & the BFA FREEdom™ Team
Program Manager

Beauty From Ashes Ministries, Inc. 
Where Victims Become Overcomers



Posted by Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries at 11:29 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Beauty From Ashes' Staff Search


POSITION TITLE:  Administrative Assistant/Secretary
REPORTS TO:   Executive Director & Program Manager
LOCATION:  Fort Myers, Florida
HOURS: 30 hours per week


MINIMAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Ability to work in fast paced environment under pressure
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• High standards of excellence in work
• Flexible schedule and ability to work nights, weekends, and travel
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Exceptional time management skills
• Superior communication skills
• Work well with a team
• Self-motivated and ability to work independently
• Demonstrated commitment to self-improvement
• At least 3 years experience in administrative/personal assistant position
• Extensive experience using fax machines, photocopiers, scanners, and videoconferencing and telephone systems
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Apple software
• Christ-like servant's attitude
• Commitment to local church

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• High level administrative support to Executive Director and Program Manager
• Performing and coordinating office's administrative activities
• Storing, retrieving, and integrating information for dissemination to staff and clients
• Information and communication management
• Plan and schedule meetings and appointments
• Organize and maintain paper and electronic files
• Disseminate information by using the telephone, mail services, Web sites, and e-mail
• Handle travel and guest arrangements
• Answer phone and take detailed messages
• Volunteer coordination
• Event coordination
• Development and distribution of monthly newsletters and prayer alerts
• Create spreadsheets, compose correspondence, manage databases, and create presentations, reports, and documents using desktop publishing software and digital graphics
• Purchase supplies and maintain donations/product inventory
• Arrange conference calls
• Supervision of other volunteer/clerical staff
• Prepare agendas and make arrangements for meetings of committees and executive boards
• Conduct research and prepare statistical reports
• Writing and editing reports
• Data entry
• Setting appointments
• Manage projects

SALARY RANGE: $8.00 - $10.00 per hour

START DATE:  May 7, 2012

• Candidate will be required to provide a copy of his/her degree and/or high school diploma and work experience must be verified.

• Please send resumes and references to info@beautyfromashes.org. No phone calls please.

ABOUT AGENCY:
Beauty From Ashes Ministries is Florida’s first and only, human trafficking, survivor-led, community service agency. Our mission is to reach, rescue, restore and advocate for victims of commercialized sexual exploitation. Based out of North Fort Myers, in the United Way House, we provide comprehensive and integrated services (medical, mental health, social, and spiritual). Our programs include Awareness, Prevention, Intervention, Restoration, and Advocacy. In collaboration with governmental and nongovernmental agencies, we serve clients locally and nationally. Since 2005, we’ve served over 1000 clients and are a growing faith based organization seeking individuals that desire to develop a career with the ministry.
The administrative assistant/secretarial position is a vital part of the over-all agency. This position entails maintaining the day-to-day operations of the office and events, in a way that allows the executive staff to serve each client with the utmost values, principles, and energy.
Posted by Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries at 8:38 PM 0 comments

Eagles Against Modern Slavery Event at Florida Gulf Coast University


On March 13, 2012 Beauty From Ashes (BFA) came to our very own Florida Gulf Coast University.  FGCU touches very close to BFA due to the fact that Julie Shematz, founder of Beauty From Ashes, is a current student at FGCU in the Master's program in mental health. It was great to see the organization I have been volunteering for, for the past 10 weeks, right at our very own university.

There was an attendance of about 50 students and family members. Eagles Against Modern Slavery gave out pizza, drinks and desserts. The night began with music by a live band and also showed a documentary called “Passion 2012 Freedom” The event took place right on the library lawn. It was a night of fun and purpose!

Before Mrs. Shematz took the stage to share her testimony with everyone Mrs. Hicks, Beauty From Ashes Program Manager, took the stage and asked everyone a few questions about sex trafficking. One student of FGCU came up on stage to answer Christa Hicks questions. She admitted she had no idea sex trafficking in Southwest Florida was such an issue. She also admitted she was only aware about sex trafficking abroad and did not know or ever think it was such a constant fight and issue right where she lived. One of BFA’s missions is to bring awareness to Southwest Florida. BFA succeeded in informing the crowd, including this young woman, about the issue at a local level.

Following Mrs. Christa, Mrs. Shematz took the stage. She told her testimony to all of us and quickly spoke about the issue and facts on sex trafficking in Florida. This is the second time I have heard Mrs. Shematz speak and every time I have heard her it brings me to chills. She is an over-comer and her story brings the truth that with intervention, everyone else who is struggling with sex trafficking can become an over-comer too! Let Beauty From Ashes help you. I believe that everyone walked away from this event better informed on the problem we have in our hands. Beauty From Ashes is where victims become over-comers.
 
My name is Gabriela Diaz; I am a graduating senior at Florida Gulf Coast University. I have a major in communication with a minor in Spanish. I was born a raised in Miami and moved to Fort Myers two years ago to continue my education at Florida Gulf Coast University. I am 23 years old and am excited to see where I am going next. I will be volunteering with Beauty From Ashes for the next 12 weeks in bringing awareness to Fort Myers about human trafficking.

Posted by Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries at 8:52 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Florida Takes A Stand By Passing Two New Human Trafficking Bills!


Right now, ask yourself…“Do I care about victims of human trafficking”? This crime is happening to children, teens, and adults. It is happening to women and men. It is happening to all races and all income levels. Traffickers are not discriminating who they prey on.

Florida has finally taken a stand on human trafficking by passing tougher laws. Floridians are speaking out, and starting to be heard. So long as there are victims of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking we must continue being a loud voice that cannot be ignored! We must push all of America to get tough on trafficking. We must stand together day by day and put a stop to these horrendous crimes. No human being should be subject to slavery of any kind. Every day people are getting away with selling humans for sex and forced labor. This must stop. And Florida is working to make that happen!

Recently there were two laws passed: the SB 1880 and HB 7049. The two bills that were passed will make the prison sentence of traffickers or smugglers, in Florida, longer. It will expand police authority for surveillance and also any seizure of property. It will also support treatment and housing for victims.

The Florida House has passed both of these bills in an effort to defeat Human Trafficking. These bills were passed in honor of all victims of human trafficking. Bill HB 7049, combines current state statues into one and increases penalties attached to convictions. As a result of this bill, tougher sentences will be imposed relating to the victim’s age. It will also give jurisdiction to a statewide prosecutor under the direction of the attorney general; making human smuggling illegal. It requires all traffickers who have been convicted, to be listed as offenders or sexual predators. This means they must register in their county and state. This brings awareness to Human Trafficking and makes Florida one of the toughest states on trafficking.

Now it is your turn, how will you take a stand? Click here to learn how you can get involved!

For more information on these bills go to:

http://www.sayfiereview.com/page/Legislative%20winners%20and%20losers

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/7049

http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/BillSummaries/2012/html/115

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/HouseNews/preview.aspx?PressReleaseId=512

Michelle Morton is a senior at Florida Gulf Coast University and an intern with Beauty From Ashes. Her major is Communication with two minors in Journalism and Intro Disciplinary Studies.

Christa Hicks is the Program Manager for Beauty From Ashes. She majored in Psychology at Florida Gulf Coast University and will graduate, this May, with a Master of Arts (MA) in Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University.

Read more »
Posted by Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries at 1:19 PM 2 comments

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Southwest Florida Victims Help Battle Human Trafficking


When people think of a human-trafficking victim they often picture a child from a Third World country brought here against her will.

Many don't realize a victim also can be local, such as Fort Myers resident Julie Shematz. She was a 31-year-old student at Purdue University when she met her future trafficker 15 years ago. He was a Romeo who sweet-talked Shematz, she said, and promised to marry her. Then he convinced her to start stripping, which was the beginning of a downward spiral that eventually led to Shematz becoming a victim of sex and labor trafficking.

"I tried to commit suicide numerous times," she said. "You take drugs to numb yourself or try to prepare yourself to do what you have to do to make the money. It was this big, black hole that was just pulling me down and sucking the life out of me."
Southwest Florida law enforcement has not always understood the domestic aspect of human trafficking, but officials have been working the past few years to perfect their system for dealing with cases. They came together with local charities in a panel at Edison State College last month to highlight enforcement methods, educate the public and discuss roadblocks in prosecuting trafficking cases.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida saw eight human-trafficking cases result in guilty verdicts during the last fiscal year, Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Waid said.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office investigated nine human-trafficking cases in 2011, according to spokeswoman Krisi Lester. None of them resulted in charges filed.

There have not been many successful trafficking prosecutions in the county so far, and the lack of precedent makes it hard to get guilty verdicts, Lt. Brad Hamilton of the Lee County Sheriff's Office said at the panel. Victims also tend to be distrustful of law enforcement and unwilling to cooperate.

Shematz, whose nonprofit Beauty from Ashes is working to rehabilitate more than 10 local victims, said those who are trafficked don't always see themselves as victims. If the girl was seduced into the sex industry by a pimp, she often believes she loves her captor and refuses to testify against him.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office received a $450,000, three-year grant in 2005 to combat human trafficking, which at first the agency didn't know what to do with, Hamilton said. The county's human trafficking task force failed the first victim it was faced with, he said, noting he could not provide specific information about the case. One of the biggest problems was deputies obtained conflicting statements from victims' because they didn't know what questions to ask.

Last June, the sheriff's office started a Forensic Interview Team that works with the Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida to make sure those interviewing victims are experts in social services.

New local efforts
Law enforcement recently formalized collaborations with nonprofits to provide services to trafficking victims, said Nola Theiss, executive director of Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships. Her organization also partnered with Abuse Counseling & Treatment Inc. and the local affiliate of Catholic Charities six months ago.

ACT, a Fort Myers-based center for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, started providing shelter for human trafficking victims a few years ago, therapist Yaro Garcia said. ACT hotline operators also received training in dealing with human trafficking victims. The shelter will sometimes see new human trafficking victims as often as every 15 days.

"Four years ago you never heard the term (human trafficking) around the shelter," Garcia said.

Catholic Charities started offering services to human-trafficking victims about two years ago, Program Director Alex Olivares said during the panel. Since then the charity has worked with about 55 victims.

Eslande Dambrevil, a junior at FGCU who attended the human trafficking panel, said she was not aware it was a domestic issue until she started college and got involved with an anti-trafficking group.

What was her reaction when she realized people from Southwest Florida were being trafficked?

"I cried," Dambrevil said. "It's really emotional."

Source:  News Press 2/5/12
mkendall@news-press.com
Posted by Beauty From Ashes™ Ministries at 1:56 PM 0 comments
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