It’s heavy work…and things are happening!

Your Cherish All Children Ministry Team would like to share some recent happenings in the prevention of child sexual exploitation. This work can seem daunting – how can we make a difference? And then we remember we are not alone. We pray together for the victims and the perpetrators, and we join with a multitude of organizations working together to combat this issue in support of all God’s children.

Current happenings:

• During Lent, eleven women graduated from a 14-week course “Sisters of Survival” at Breaking Free in St. Paul, a non-profit serving women involved in systems of abuse, exploitation, and prostitution/sex trafficking.
• In March, Hennepin County Sheriff Stanek received approval for two new positions dedicated to combat the sex trafficking of youth. In addition, there will be a countywide task force, revamping of education and training of hotel workers, and community engagement with Spanish, Vietnamese, and Somali interpreters.
• On March 29, Washington and Ramsey County authorities bust an expansive sex trafficking ring involving 29 states, including St. Paul and surrounding cities. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi emphasized that in order to stop this pipeline, we must target and reduce the demand for sex trafficking. “How we raise our boys really matters,” Choi said.

Opportunities to support Cherish All Children:

• Caritas Vocal Ensemble will perform a free concert at Valley of Peace Lutheran Church (4735 Bassett Creek Drive, Golden Valley) on Sunday, April 23 at 3:00 p.m. A freewill offering will be taken to support Cherish All Children’s ministry.
• Come visit our Cherish All Children table at Synod Assembly May 19 & 20 to learn more about our work together to prevent child sexual exploitation.

For more information, go to www.cherishallchildren.org, or contact any of your ministry team members:

Mike Banks               dad5519@gmail.com  651.644.5974

Joy McElroy              joymcelroy22@gmail.com 651.207.3357

Tricia Niesche          tricia.niesche@gmail.com  612.281.7497