This is the first in a blog series highlighting how important our annual Freedom Fund challenge grant is. Every donation provides direct funding to our programs and services. We need your help to fulfill our mission of preventing human trafficking and exploitation in the Central Valley and beyond!

As I reflect on my first year with the Justice Coalition, I am filled with a tremendous amount of gratitude for the blessings that have been provided to me! While countless others, myself included, lost their jobs when a global pandemic hit, after just a few short months on unemployment, God presented me with an opportunity to apply for a position with the Central Valley Justice Coalition to fill the position of Program Manager.

As an advocate and lived-experience expert (who has volunteered countless hours over the last 9 years in this field) it was an actual dream come true to start this new job. It was also a little scary to take on the responsibility that comes with building a program from scratch, in the midst of a shutdown!

As most of you know, volunteering and being an employee are very different things, and so I began the process of trying to figure out how to do a job no one had ever done before with only faces on a screen to help guide me.\nStarting out was rocky at best. A lot of my early days were spent engaging in Zoom trainings and soaking in how the day-to-day operations worked. There were days where I felt I was not doing much to contribute and I struggled with self-doubt. However, thanks to constant reassurance from the rest of the team over time I began to find my own groove. Beginning with tasks like managing our social media content and assisting Christa in the development of S.E.E. helped build my confidence and I could see (pun intended) that I was helping to build the coalition at the same time!

Arien Garcia was instrumental in getting AB 262 passed and signed into law in 2021

The biggest turning point for me in this first year was when I received the first referral to work with youth identified by the Department of Social Services as being extremely at-risk for human trafficking. Now, a year into the work, we’ve had the opportunity to reach almost two dozen youth with direct services in addressing at-risk behaviors that could lead to exploitation. My role at the coalition, by God’s grace, has become a very impactful one. This first year was a year for expanding on, not only my own capacities but the capacity at which the Justice Coalition serves the community. Being in this position has been a dream-made reality and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next few years!

“Now, a year into the work, we’ve had the opportunity to reach almost two dozen youth with direct services…”

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Arien shares in this video, giving her perspective as a human trafficking survivor and professional educator in the field

We are excited to announce that Freedom Fund 21 is taking place from October 18 through November 17. Once again, we are partnering with True Organic Products Inc. This year, TRUE has given $25,000 in the form of a challenge grant, which means that every dollar up to $25,000 will be doubled!

From our humble beginnings as a small, all-volunteer prayer group, we have grown to an organization with multiple staff members. Since 2015, we have been able to educate well over 27,000 people in the Central Valley and beyond. Hundreds of people have banded together to give thousands of dollars to fund this vital human trafficking prevention work.

To date, our annual Freedom Fund has generated over $251,000 in donations and every dollar makes a significant impact in preventing slavery and exploitation.

CVJC’s Freedom Dessert on Tuesday, October 7th has been cancelled due to several factors. We apologize for any inconvenience! However, we encourage you to connect with us – there are many awesome ways to do that in the next few weeks, such as….

1. Partner’s Gathering! 

Thursday, Oct 9th, 11:30am-12:30pm (bring your own lunch!)

We are partnering with Central Valley Freedom Coalition for this gathering! Located at: Nielsen Conference Center, 3110 West Nielsen Avenue, Fresno, CA following the Freedom Coalition Gathering at 10am.

You are invited to attend both meetings at 10am and at 11:30am if you are able. CVJC’s meeting at 11:30am will focus on the faith community. We will update you on CVJC developments, exciting new opportunities with our partners, and ways to connect and get involved in preventing human trafficking.

 

2. Pray for Freedom: Saturday, Oct 18th, 7:00a-9:30a at San Pablo Park. (Walk begins at 7:30) This is a focused prayer walk in partnership with Breaking the Chains. Email kelly@cvjusticecoalition.com for information.

 

3. Freedom Sunday Orientation 2015! (and vision casting for Freedom Churches)

Monday, October 20th, 7pm (Dessert provided, MUST RSVP BY OCT 15)

Northpark Church, Room 202

Come to catch the vision for Freedom Sunday 2015, and start planning for your church to be part of it! We will also present Freedom Churches and gather feedback from YOU. There is no cost to attend, but you must RSVP by Oct 15th.

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Christian Business Women’s Connection next breakfast, on Tuesday, June 24, will be focused on the issue of fighting human trafficking on a local level and from a business perspective.  Take advantage of this opportunity to network with other women in the business community and learn how to leverage your influence to address this issue. Guest Speakers are Jessica Pittman, Founder/Co-Director of CVJC, and Andrea Shabaglian, Founder/Director of MadeForThem. Jessica and Andrea will be addressing several specific questions as prepared by the leadership of CBWC.

Tuesday, June 24, 7am -8:30am, at Pardini’s Catering and Banquets 2257 W. Shaw, Fresno

Tickets on sale now! Non Members $20, CBWC Fresno Members $15

To reserve tickets or for more info see the CBWC Fresno Website OR RSVP on Facebook

More info? Human Traffic CBWC

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CVJC invites you to be part of the following upcoming opportunities! Both offer unique experiences that we believe God will use to deepen your understanding of Biblical justice and open your eyes to the realities of modern day slavery in our own backyard.

April 12th: Daughters of the King 9th Annual Women’s Conference

Hear from Jessica Pittman, Director of Central Valley Justice Coalition, on empowering the church to take action in combating Human Trafficking in our local communities.

“The Lord has led our focus to be on the freedom that comes through Jesus Christ, and to launch an awareness of human trafficking so that we may be part of rescuing women from the bondage of sex slavery and prevention,” coordinator Lupe Flores shares.

Details: Rivers of Living Waters Christian Church, 1282 Belmont Avenue, Mendota. 8am–1pm. To register and for more information contact Lupe Flores: 559-217-4394

May 2-4: FIGHT Human Trafficking Conference 

Mount Hermon Camp in the Santa Cruz mountains is hosting this opportunity for you to be refreshed, educated, and inspired in our work to end human trafficking.

The FIGHT Human Trafficking Conference is for those in Central California to come together to address human trafficking locally and abroad. “The mission of the FIGHT conference is to defeat human trafficking by empowering people and mobilizing the Church,” states the conference coordinators.

For more information and to sign up, visit the event page here

CVJC would love to know if you plan to attend either of these conferences. Email info@cvjusticecoalition.com

For more upcoming events, visit our Calendar