Dear Editor,
The Woman’s Life Chapter 864 of Clarkston would like to express our sincere appreciation for the Clarkston Community Schools district and their support of our initiative to create Human Trafficking awareness in the community.
We are a philanthropic group of enthusiastic women, focused on helping those in need and making a positive impact in our community with a focus on hunger, homelessness and empowering women.
Our chapter coordinated An Evening of Human Trafficking Awareness on Thursday, Jan. 16, and the school district graciously allowed us to hold it at the Clarkston High School PAC.
With a panel of experts including a 10-year veteran of the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force, a specialist from the medical community, the writer/producer of the Michigan-made movie, “Ring of Silence,” the president/founder of Sanctum House, and a survivor of human trafficking, the evening was incredibly powerful.
Over 200 people were in attendance, including state Rep. Andrea Schroeder and Superintendent Shawn Ryan, who both spoke of the importance of awareness and education around human trafficking.
Our chapter is so passionate about this issue that we have purchased the rights to the movie “Ring of Silence,” which comes with a curriculum for educators and students, and are allowing Clarkston schools to use it for educational purposes.
The Clarkston school district has once again agreed to open the high school’s PAC up to the community on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m. for a free viewing of the movie “Ring of Silence.”
The 90-minute movie, which is intended for those 13 years and older, will be followed by an hour-long educational discussion and forum.
Participating in the discussion will be the movie’s writer/producer, Nicole Bowers Wallace. Nicole has created educational materials and curriculum to go along with the movie, so viewers leave feeling knowledgeable and empowered.
The founder/president of Sanctum House, Edee Franklin, will be on-hand to talk about the recovery program she created and the facility that is giving survivors a future.
We understand that having the support of the Clarkston school district is key to raising awareness and promoting understanding about the reality of human trafficking in our community and for that we are grateful.
Sincerely,
Woman’s Life Chapter 864 – Clarkston