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Do you know what my job looks as the Program Manager for the Justice Coalition?

What it can look like:

– Training groups in education and prevention

– Social media content creation

– Direct services for youth who are at-risk for exploitation

– Accompanying a minor in court when facing the offender- Successfully practicing harm reduction methods

– Specialized safety plans

– Participating in specialized courts

Can it be hard to see some of the kiddos we work with take off from placement?

Absolutely, it can.

Some days it feels like we are not doing enough … however just as the rays of sunlight peek through a cloudy day … I am blessed to see those rays …

Like a youth wanting to reconnect immediately after being on the run for 4 months, or another youth wanting to still connect after family reunification has been successful.

I love my job

I am thankful for the community partners

I am thankful for the kiddos in my community I get to serve

♥️

#education #Prevention

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Joined by survivors, including our own Arien Garcia, as well as Fresno’s mayor and police chief, Assemblymember Jim Patterson announced the passage of a bill that would allow human trafficking survivors to have their records cleared of non-violent crimes within a reasonable amount of time after escaping the life.

At the Justice Coalition, we sincerely believe that legislation like CA Assembly Bill 262 represents a step in the right direction for survivors of human trafficking who have been coerced into committing crimes by those who enslaved and exploited them. We are grateful that Governor Newsom signed this bill into law and are so proud to stand beside Arien Pauls Garcia as she tirelessly advocates for change. Not only does Arien use her voice publicly but she also privately has helped dozens of pre-victim adolescent clients this year alone through our youth prevention programming.

Read more about the process of getting AB 262 passed and signed into law:

KMJ story from Reporter Liz Kern

Fresno Bee article by Melissa Montalvo

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It would be an understatement to say that the last 18 months have been a challenging time for us at the Justice Coalition. As the light dawned on 2021, we were presented with an opportunity to streamline our operations through converting two vacated part-time positions into a full-time associate director role. We conducted a thorough search and found the perfect candidate, Dan Carter, for the job.

Only trouble was, as she is a foreign national from Australia, we would need to get a work visa. What we thought would take 6 weeks wound up taking 22 instead but praise God, she has now finally been able to start! I can’t thank all you enough for your support, encouragement and prayers during these trying times.

As an education organization working with vulnerable populations, primarily through in-person presentations, trainings and gatherings, it’s been difficult (the last year plus) to measure our impact using the methods we spent years developing. Yet, even when we haven’t been able to see our efforts produce the numerical impact we desire, this time has been far from wasted.

Currently, we are doing the hard work to streamline our systems and increase our capacity because we know that our mission has never been more important than it is now! With Dan, Arien and myself we now have three full-time staff for the first time in our history and we are joined by Christa, Marissa and Jessica in part-time roles. As we move into the always busy fall season, requests for speakers and classes are skyrocketing. Like a cellphone plugged in overnight (or in this case for the last 8 months) we are charged up and ready to go!

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freedom sunday

“It is for freedom that Christ set us free!” Gal 5:1

February 2, 2014  churches across the Central Valley are uniting to proclaim freedom for all who enslaved in modern day slavery.

Join in standing against human trafficking and other forms of slavery and FOR the freedom found in Christ Jesus! Sign up here to let us know you are participating. See our new Freedom Sunday page for more info and resources.

Feb 2nd is around the corner and we want to equip YOU with tools and resources for your congregation. Please join us for Freedom Freedom Sunday Training!

When: Tues, Jan 7th, 12 – 1pm (doors open until 1:30)

JUST ADDED! Monday, Jan 6, 7pm. This evening includes brief training, and a larger focus on worship and prayer for 2014 (in honor of Human Trafficking Awareness month).

Where: Fresno First Baptist Parlor (on southeast side of campus, close to Lansing Ave)

1400 E Saginaw Way

Fresno 93704

Click on the following link for a short video on Human Trafficking in Fresno: http://vimeo.com/66281458.

Don’t wait til after Christmas to bring this to the attention of your church leaders!