Bridal Boutique By New Name Provides Wedding Dresses to Support Anti-Trafficking Efforts in Chicago

Attention, Chicago brides, brides-to-be, and bridesmaids!! One of my best friends helps run a beautiful bridal boutique in the Western suburbs of Chicago–in Wheaton, Ill., to be exact–that takes gently used wedding dresses donated by brides and donates the proceeds to anti-trafficking efforts in the Chicagoland area. The boutique is called “Bridal Boutique by New… Continue reading Bridal Boutique By New Name Provides Wedding Dresses to Support Anti-Trafficking Efforts in Chicago

Sex Trafficking is Happening in Your Backyard – Let’s END IT!

It’s true – women (and men) are being sold for sex, against their will, in your backyard. Did you see people running around with red “X” marks on their hands on Thursday? This represents the “End it Movement,” a conversation started at the 2012 Passion Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, about the estimated 27 million slaves… Continue reading Sex Trafficking is Happening in Your Backyard – Let’s END IT!

Help End Sex Trafficking in Chicago: Run the TraffickFree 5K

As a journalist, I come across controversial topics on a regular basis–but none have captivated me like human trafficking has. I’m passionate about raising awareness about the criminal activity that claims an estimated 300,000 minors each year within the United States (and countless more in countries around the world, including Honduras). As much as I… Continue reading Help End Sex Trafficking in Chicago: Run the TraffickFree 5K

Christine Caine: ‘Impossible is Where God Starts’

“Starting when I was only three, I was sexually abused by four men in my life for twelve years. Now I’m almost 47. I was abused for 12 years, but I’ve not been abused for 35. Today I choose to step into the future believing God’s word to pursue the abundant, purpose-driven passionate life Jesus… Continue reading Christine Caine: ‘Impossible is Where God Starts’

West Chicagoland Anti-Trafficking Coalition Launch: Refuse to Do Nothing

The West Chicagoland Anti-Trafficking Coalition logo

Tonight over 50 people gathered at Glen Ellyn’s Blackberry Market for the launch of the West Chicago Anti-Trafficking Coalition. Representatives from churches, nonprofits, and organizations gathered for an evening of networking and conversation about what needs to be done in West Chicagoland to combat human trafficking of all kinds, including labor and sex trafficking happening… Continue reading West Chicagoland Anti-Trafficking Coalition Launch: Refuse to Do Nothing

Free Music Friday: Kari Jobe on American Idol and Human Trafficking

Wednesday night, Top 6 American Idol contestant Angie Miller sang chart-topping CCM artist Kari Jobe’s song “Love Came Down” and received a standing ovation from both the crowd and the judges. Her performance evoked responses from Keith Urban and Mariah Carey, and garnered a heartfelt response from Jobe as well (watch the performance at this… Continue reading Free Music Friday: Kari Jobe on American Idol and Human Trafficking

Sex Trafficking at the Super Bowl

Thursday, 1/31/13 Eight men have already been arrested as part of a sex trafficking ring exposed today in New Orleans. This case supports advocacy agencies’ claims that the Super Bowl is the “single largest human trafficking incident in the United States.” When you combine beer, testosterone, and cold hard cash with hundreds of thousands of… Continue reading Sex Trafficking at the Super Bowl

Sex Trafficking 101

“All 0f us sitting here in this auditorium today have won the lottery of life,” pastor Bill Hybels said in a service at Willow Creek Community Church Sunday. “Now, the question is, how do we discharge the responsibility that comes with it?” Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning author and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof was… Continue reading Sex Trafficking 101