When we gather as a community, understanding goes deeper and change happens!
Written by Lysa Fischer with L. M. Land
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of exploitation.
On January 11, 2025, a symposium on human trafficking will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Flint. The symposium is presented by Sanctum House, a safe home for survivors of human trafficking to heal and rebuild in Novi, Michigan.
In the morning, nationally renowned speaker Joyce Dixson-Haskett, LMSW, ACSW, SAP will speak. She is herself a survivor of human trafficking and the author of “L.O.R.T.E.: Levels of Response to Traumatic Events: A Vital Aid to Children of Incarcerated Parents.” A therapist for over 10 years, she has developed therapeutic methods that work together with sound Biblical principles. She specializes in trauma based issues relating to children and families including grief, human trafficking, substance abuse, incarceration issues, domestic violence and more.
After lunch, Karen Moore, executive director of Sanctum House, takes the floor. You will be encouraged by the stories of the work and heart of the sanctuary, the avenues of healing they provide, and by the stories of recovery you hear from the women who have come to heal.
This symposium addresses signs and solutions, hope and healing, and will be of benefit to members of the community as well as social workers and therapists, those in medical fields, teachers, school counselors and administrators, ministers, youth leaders, law enforcement, criminal justice, hotel management and sectors that engage with youth and caregivers at shelters.
The program runs from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tickets include lunch and light refreshments, as well as five CEU credits for professionals.
Contact Lysa Fischer at lysafischer@gmail.com for CEU information.
This symposium is sponsored by The Diversity Committee of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in partnership with Court Street United Methodist and First Presbyterian Church.
Sanctum House offers a safe home for survivors of human trafficking to heal and rebuild. A voluntary, residential 24-month program for women 18 years of age and older has been developed to provide trauma-informed healthcare and individualized resources within a safe and secure environment. Sanctum House becomes a foundation to build a better future while actively avoiding retraumatization. Sobriety is also part of the Sanctum House program, as drugs and alcohol can be part of their trafficked life.
The women in the Sanctum House programs come from the local communities, as well as through national connections.
For tickets, go to: https://sanctumhouse.networkforgood.com/events/78941-why-don-t-they-just-walk-away
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 711 Saginaw St., Flint MI, located in downtown Flint. Parking is available on Saginaw Street, behind St. Paul’s Episcopal, and behind First Presbyterian Church, directly across from St. Paul’s. https://stpaulschurchflint.com/about/
Please consider also giving a donation to Sanctum House when you order your ticket. It’s your opportunity to be part of their healing, recovery, and restoration. Sanctum House is a reserved a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization located at 28175 Haggerty Road, Novi, MI 48377,| 248.574.9373 Read more at: https://sanctumhouse.org/
