El Paso CARES Friends,
The summer is almost officially upon us! We hope that you and your family enjoy fun and relaxation these next few months.
With our local students now on summer break, we want to remind you to remain diligent in looking for signs of human trafficking. This summer, sex predators and human traffickers will be hard at work at malls, movie theaters, pools, and many other places where children will be left unattended.
As a community, we can protect the lives of our most vulnerable by educating ourselves and those around us. Here are a few tips to keep you and your loved ones stay safe this summer:
· Communicate with you kids
o Predators often target kids seeking attention
o Set internet and cellphone rules - many victims are first approached on social media
o Explain what sex trafficking is in frank terms
· Observe
o Look for new friends you're not familiar or changes in dress, attitude, or behavior
o A sudden influx of money
o Be aware of your surroundings when our and about - a vast majority of child-victim rescues begin with a phone call
For more information about human trafficking warnings signs and resources, please visit our website.
Connecting the Faith Community with the lost and broken. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s care for those in need, and it is also reflected in his character. As his redeemed image-bearers, God has given Christians a call to care as well.
For this reason, EP Cares aims to be doers of the word and not simply hearers by going out to city to find and free those who have become ensnared in the sex trade and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ where the Lord would give opportunity.
We believe every person is priceless and worth fighting for because we are all made in the image of God - community outreach is a way we can live this out.
What does outreach look like?
Currently, we have 8 trained teams that visit designated parts of the city from the Canutillo area to Horizon City. Each team spends 2 hours visiting hotels, convenience stores, and restaurants with missing children posters and a script to share information. The goal is simple: collaborate and build relationships with people in our community.
Ready to get involved?
We are always looking for more volunteers to help us reach our city. If you would like more information or are ready to be a part of our team, please contact us. Our next outreach will be July 8th - 18th!
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” (James 1:27).
· On June 5th, we went live with the Fort Bliss Army Volunteer Corps to discuss how to STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING
o Watch the video on our Facebook Page
· Free Training Opportunity with CASFV (Center for Sexual and Family Violence)
o This is a 40hr training opportunity offered through the Office of the Attorney General to become a certified victim advocate
o Two 12 hour shifts are required
o Contact us if you are interested
· Monthly outreach continues to see progress
o Growing interest and relationships with locations we revisit
o Expressed interest in training from employees at businesses we visit
o Multiple sightings of the missing on our monthly posters
Please join us in prayer for the hearts of those found and all involved
Our wonderful team does an excellent job of keeping our Facebook Page current. Please follow us and visit often for upcoming events and resources we post to help you stay informed and educated on anti-trafficking efforts.
Prayer
Father God, we thank You for those who serve as protectors and advocates for children who are being lured into the sex trade. We ask for Your protection for the children, for You to thwart the plans of evil people, and help parents to see the dangers. With Your help, may these children in the El Paso region learn discernment and recognize there are terrible consequences to wrong choices. Help them to set life goals worthy of You and that will lead to a life rescued from poverty.
"Reform your ways and your actions...Do not oppress the alien, the fatherless, or the widow and do not shed innocent blood and do not follow other gods to your own harm. Then you will live." Jeremiah 7:4-7
Prayer is an important part of our ministry. Learn more about how you can support us with your prayers by visiting our website. Thank you for partnering with us.
We would love to hear from you, contact us and schedule a call or coffee to talk more about getting involved.