Salvation Army of Connecticut holds Anti-Human Trafficking Community Event
HARTFORD – The Salvation Army, in conjunction with MetroHartford Alliance, hosted a community event to raise awareness about combating human trafficking in Connecticut. The event took place on Thursday, May 19th at the Pond House Café at Elizabeth Park in West Hartford.
For more than 150 years, The Salvation Army has stood firmly behind men, women, and children subjected to organized commercial human trafficking.
In Connecticut, The Salvation Army operates our Anti-Human Trafficking Bloom Initiative from our Hartford, New London, and Willimantic locations. Along with providing immediate emergency direct services for victims of human trafficking, we take a holistic approach to healing and supporting each survivor’s unique journey from victimization to hope for a future free from exploitation.
Bank of America proudly sponsored the community event. "I believe today's event will surely change each of us, even if it's just a little bit; but in turn, what we learn here could change someone else's entire world," said Joe Gianni, President and Public Policy Executive for Bank of America.
The highlight of the morning was speaker Jennifer Abbott, a survivor of human trafficking with Jasmine Grace Outreach. Her words had many in attendance in tears. "Thank you for raising awareness to save people like me. It matters and makes a difference."
Also speaking at the morning’s event was Wendy, an undercover Special Agent with the FBI Human Trafficking & Crimes Against Children Unit from the New Haven Division and Melissa Garden, LPC, Department of Children & Families.
Towards the end of the program, everyone in attendance was asked to stand for empowerment and hold up a magnet that included a painting by a generous donor and supporter of the Bloom Initiative.
For more information about The Salvation Army’s Anti-Human Trafficking Bloom Initiative visit tinyurl.com/SABloom
To donate text BloomSA to 71777 or visit: tinyurl.com/BloomSA
