Project Moses
Project Moses is a mission founded by parishioners to highlight the truths of human trafficking and share the Light of Christ with its survivors. Read below for information on both efforts in fighting human trafficking and also associated ministry opportunities and events.
Myth: If the trafficked person consented to be in their initial situation or was informed about what type of labor they would be doing or that commercial sex would be involved, then it cannot be human trafficking or against their will because they "knew better."
Reality: Initial consent to commercial sex or a labor setting prior to acts of force, fraud, or coercion (or if the victim is a minor in a sex trafficking situation) is not relevant to the crime, nor is payment.
3 MISSIONAL AREAS
To support the mission, 3 areas of concentration have been established: education, advocacy, and outreach and community partnerships. What we do:
Education
- Monthly meetings with routine educational speakers
- Project Moses has hosted Lenten Speaker Series to provide education to SMAA parishioners about the issue of human trafficking
- Hosted the 2018 symposium on Human Trafficking - "Fighting For Freedom"
- Project Moses has hosted educational bus excursions to known trafficking areas in the Dallas area
Advocacy
- Letter writing to legislators to improve laws and enforcement that support victims
- Attended Human Trafficking rally in Austin during the 2019 legislative session
- Project Moses is an Executive Committee member and Membership Committee member of the North Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking
Outreach and Community Partnerships
- Monthly meals for survivors in rehabilitation programs
- Survivor Scholarship sponsor through the North Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking
- Partner with local agencies to help trafficking survivors with special gifts such as Easter baskets, personal hygiene products, Valentine's Day roses, etc.
- Provide the Dallas Police Department with products needed to support their Child Exploitation Unit when victims are rescued
- Mentor survivors of trafficking and domestic abuse
- Formed an exploratory committee to pursue opening a residence for the rehabilitation of trafficking victims
- Donations to Alive At Last, Mosaic Family Services, New Friends New Life, and Valiant Hearts for programs to aid survivors
- Donation to Restored Hope Ministries for refurbishing an apartment home for a program graduate
PROJECT MOSES PARTNERSHIPS
New Friends New Life
Resource Center
The Youth Resource Center is a place of healing, restoration, services, new friends, and new life for youth in our community who have been victimized. Financial donations are needed to provide items for this facility and volunteer opportunities are available to help with their services. Contact Terry or Mark Demler to donate or assist.
Boxed Lunch Program
Monthly, Project Moses provides prepared boxed lunches to 30 survivors at New Friends New Life. Due to social distancing, the curbside distribution of the boxed lunches at the New Friends New Life facility is limited to just two volunteers. For more information, please contact Sheryl Wylie.
Check back soon for more 2021 opportunities
Child Care (background check required)
Assist on an as-needed basis for New Friends New Life events throughout the year. Contact Nancy Somodevilla, Sissy Massad, or Sheryl Wylie.
WE NEED YOU!
Interested in learning more about our ministry? Come to a meeting! More dates will be available soon.
To RSVP, please email [email protected].
For questions and more information, contact:
Mark Demler [email protected]
Terry Demler [email protected]
Fighting For Freedom Symposium
Last October 20, Project Moses presented a free community event, sponsored by Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, that brought together national, regional, and local experts in the field of human trafficking to provide information on research, law enforcement, and legislative fronts. A panel of human trafficking survivors was provided, offering a unique perspective into this horrific crime and the individual and community trauma caused by its existence.
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Project Moses Co-Founder
Project Moses Co-Founder
