Jessica Pittman, Founder
At some point in 2020 I adopted a bit of a motto for the year…
As with most things, it’s easier to write it pretty on a graphic and post it than to really live it. But I’m definitely giving it shot! So it’s time to share about the latest change in process at the moment for me and our JusticeCo team…
A few months ago I shared with our staff that it’s time for me to move into a very different role with our Coalition. If you’re just getting to know us, I began this movement with a team of incredible faith and community leaders, and we just celebrated our 10 year Anniversary as a Coalition this past year. But the journey actually began for me closer to 2006, with my first oversees trip focused on human trafficking in Europe in March of 2007. So for me, it’s been well over a fifteen year journey. And, by no means is it over…
Yet through a process of prayer and contemplation, it’s with bittersweet feelings that I sense it’s time for my role to change. By the end of March, I will no longer serve on the staff team as the Associate Director/Director of Prevention, but will move into an advisory role. This will mean joining our volunteer Advisory Council, which has been in place since 2013. I will continue to connect with and engage our faith community in some way as well. From the very beginning, this has been my passion, and church: we are needed now more than ever.
We have a new year before us. Let’s embrace our identity in Christ to be light. To be known by our love.
So, these details are still in the works as we search for the right person to hire, and as I discern what is next for me personally.
Know that this was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made in awhile. I love the Justice Coalition! Our mission speaks to the core of who I am and who I try to be. I 100% believe in the work we do, and I see the we’ve made over the years. It is both humbling and honoring. I see clearly that the Coalition can do more – there is so much to be done. Also, we’ve created a healthy, trauma informed, and FUN work culture. I don’t just like working with our staff team, I like them as people! Our extended team (Board, Advisors, partners, volunteers) is made up of many of the people I respect most on the planet. So deciding to transition was not easy, it actually doesn’t even make that much sense!
Often times though, friends, this is how God works. Things that don’t make a lot of sense are placed on our hearts and we trust and take that step, often with a mix of emotions ranging from excitement to doubt to “really God are you sure?!”. I am at peace knowing that as this change takes place, even though it will be challenging, will also create an even stronger Coalition. I pray it will serve to expand the work of bringing freedom to those who are oppressed in the name of Jesus.
What’s next for me?
This is this the question! I’m reflecting on the past fifteen years and exploring what’s next. For now, I am grateful to have a short term job working with Melissa Gomez and the team at PACT (Preventing and Addressing Child Trafficking), a project of the Family and Child Institute of California. Since November, I have been working part time as the Central Valley Regional Coordinator, helping to establish a new Central Valley Cohort. We engage county child welfare agencies and their partners to work to improve service delivery to children and youth at risk of or experiencing sex and/or labor trafficking. It’s been very exciting to help launch this project, and to see how well my roles with both organizations intersect. I’ve learned quite a lot from some incredible people already! I also love sharing with counties across the state about the truly ground breaking work our Coalition is doing with our youth programs and new Youth Coalition, SEE).
What’s next for the Coalition?
We are hiring! We’ve been searching to fill an open position on our staff for a few months already. This position was carefully put together by our staff and Board. The job description outlines the areas we most need support in to move us into this new year and decade of work. It is a combination of pieces of my role and pieces that were formerly part of an Administrator position.
Hurry! The deadline to apply is January 31, 2021! Interviews are being scheduled for the first week of February.
How can YOU help? Thanks for asking! (True to Coalition style, we involve the whole community…) Please, share the job posting and put us in contact with anyone you think may be a good candidate! It’s crucial to find the right person, and we are praying for God to show us who that is very soon. We want someone with strong leadership and administrator skills who has experience working with vulnerable populations. This person will be highly detail oriented, and will take us to a higher level of efficiency as an organization so we can reach more people.
Download the Job Description
If you are reading this, and considering whether you might want to join this incredible team, send your resume to us at info@justiceco.org. I may be biased, but I think that you’ll be hard pressed to find a better team to work with, or a more compelling mission to move forward.
