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“I think this video will really shock teens. It has changed all of my assumptions about sex trafficking.”
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Cathy Shannon, Archdiocese of Portland, OR –
We are happy to work with your organization in order to provide prevention training on sex trafficking for our teens and the adults in their lives. As you know, this critical issue for young people and adults is happening not onfy in distant countries, but right here in the cities of the Pacific Northwest. This form of sexual abuse of young people absolutely cannot be tolerated in our communities.
We believe that the Chosen DVD program you have created is a good fit with our existing child/youth protection programs in parishes and schools throughout the Archdiocese. We will be launching the use of this program for the high school students in the 2013-14 school year, We are grateful for your assistance in the t raining of our leadership in presenting this program to our youth.
Andrew Lear, Director of Public Affairs Puyallup Stake –
I wanted to offer my personal letter of recommendation in the use of the Chosen Video to raise awareness surrounding the issues of human trafficking. We initially shared the video with the Stake Presidency, and under their recommendation we shared the video in multiple settings and meetings, from adults, to youth leaders, to youth only and to entire congregations within all of the wards in the Puyallup Stake.
ln each case, the video presented the impacts of human trafficking on a personal level that enabled a focused and meaningful discussion on identifying the signs and risk factors to those within our immediate community.
In practically every showing, there was at least one individual who became aware of immediate family members or friends who were at risk of or direclly involved in the early stages of the trafficking process. The video also identifies resources and steps we can all take to stop the spread of human trafficking.
The discussions that followed each showing were somber, yet purposeful in recognizing the negative forces at work that are impacting our youth. Importantly, each discussion resulted in a greater resolve to further strengthen our families and faith communities by creating a fortress of love, support and acceptance to all of the individuals in our care.
I hope that sharing the Chosen video will result in building greater awareness of human trafficking within your circle of influence.
Tacoma Public Schools, Carla Santoro, Superintendent –
Human trafficking of minors into the illegal domestic sex industry of the United States is a dreadful topic
that receives minimal media attention in the national conversation with community leaders and those
elected to public service. Through the courageous leadership of Linda Smith, co-founder of Shared Hope
International, the Tacoma School District was empowered to join the call to action by first becoming
aware of the scope and operations of this sub -culture that is stealing the youth away from our children.
Our work with truant youth brought us into contact with children we serve in Tacoma Public Schools
who were being exploited into the sex trade. Linda Smith walked alongside some of these families
during the trying process of rescuing their children. That sobering experience strengthened our resolve
to more specifically address the needs of our staff in developing skills to effectively begin a process of
intervention. As part of that work, Shared Hope International recently partnered with the Tacoma
School District by training school personnel, including nurses, counselors, and administrators. This was
followed with an informational evening event for families to allow them to ask questions and learn how
to safeguard children from human trafficking recruiters. Shared Hope provided knowledgeable
presenters and professional-quality materials in framing a conversation with the video ” Chosen ” to
emphasize the devastating effects of prostitution through human storytelling with real victims. The
conversation was enhanced with passages from the book titled “Renting Lacey,” which became the
anticipatory-set for all participants of the training, in receiving and reading these high quality materials.
Shared Hope strives to develop resources and networks prepared to appropriately respond to minors in
duress and ready to leave behind a life of abuse, violence, and chemical dependency. This commitment
by Shared Hope International demands resources, some in the form of partnerships, for restoring young
people to a life with dignity and confidence in pursuit of worthwhile endeavors in courageously dealing
with early childhood trauma that was caused not by their choosing.
The work of effectively educating the children of our community brings us face to face with the trauma
families face on a daily basis. In the case of this type of event, we count on strong partners such as
Shared Hope International to walk alongside us as we strive to keep our youth connected to their
education while they go through a process of recovery .
Laurel J Botsford –
I use the Chosen Plus and Eligidos Plus in almost all of my presentations against sex trafficking and human trafficking emphasizing they are by design made to be factual and for 12 and above, as opposed to so many films that take the sensational angle. I emphasise also that unlike most films explaining the issue of human or sex trafficking, our videos concentrate on How Our Children Are Being Tricked And Lured Into Trafficking. This always gets the eyebrows raising. Every time showing our videos raises extremely pertinent questions among the viewers, no matter the age group. I highly recommend their use in the community.
Patti DeVelbiss –
The original Chosen video is the perfect tool to use for middle school through young adult audiences – parents, too. The young woman in the video looks just like someone they would know, which brings home the fact that if it can happen to her, it can happen to anyone. Learn the material, be prepared for tough questions and be brave. This likely will be the first time they heard someone speak to the issue of human trafficking.
Dr. Benjamin C. Burnette, MAJ –
Excellent video that actually “tells it like it is.”
Anna Tuttle –
Great movie and resource to share with youth today!
Ann Redmond –
Our Anti-Trafficking Working Group finds the film, chosen; an effective way of getting high school students involved in discussing how gilrs are lured into sex trafficking. Then we follow-up with a presentation by a survivor of sex trafficking, who explains the objectification fnd objectifying of the victims. They also discuss ways of getting out of the victomication and being a survivor.
California Ambassadors –
We were invited to a Catholic Charities luncheon yesterday by someone that had invited us to collaborate in educating the Catholic Church Diocese of Oakland about DMST.
We were both sitting at the table, sandwiching a lady who is employed by the Diocese of Oakland who told us that she had attended the first SHI presentation given in this collaboration with one of our Ambassadors presenting and several of us there for support and to work the resource table, since it was the first presentation of a series that had been arranged.
After the presentation, this lady went onto the website and purchased Chosen Plus. She felt it important to take that video to the Director of Religious Education at one of the Catholic schools and she talked with him about it what she had learned.
She told us then that he has now shown Chosen to both 7th and 8th grade classes before they graduated last year and just this last Saturday he showed it to 800 kids at their Annual Youth Rally.
She said, “This is just one thing that I thought I could do. I’ll stay in the background and let him take it from here.” What an amazing story to hear yesterday, a testament that one small effort one takes can lead to great things.
Crystal –
Fantastic video and resources to help open the eyes of young people and their parents. This has become a real blessing to our community!
Peggy Schoenfuss, Catholic Diocese of Superior –
We have implemented a trafficking awareness curriculum in our diocese to accommodate our Bishop’s Charter for Safe and Sacred Places. In investigating what would be the best materials for middle school children we found that Chosen from Shared Hope International was the best produced and most impactful material for children of this age and their parents. Not only is the video done well, but all of the materials that accompany the DVD successfully assist both our catechist in our parish religious education programs and our school teachers to facilitate the discussion around this topic.
The cooperation and support from Shared Hope International in rolling out this program in our diocese has been fantastic. We couldn’t ask for better. We strongly recommend these materials to bring awareness about the horrific crime of trafficking.
Lisa Garrow –
Sounds amazing! I can’t wait till we can buy all 3 videos!
JP –
I received a call from the program director at a youth detention center for girls. She asked if we had a film she could show to this at-risk population. I wasn’t sure Chosen was appropriate since it addresses the other side of risk, namely kids from stable homes, straight A students, athletes and those in youth group. She agreed to show the film to a group of forty 12 to 14 year old girls on a Saturday night. She called me on Monday astounded that her population had connected to the two teens featured in the film and had then realized they were being victimized. Several shared how they had been asked for sex acts in exchange for basic needs such as a ride or food. I was surprised how versatile an audience this film could effectively reach.
Judy Haynes, A Flame in the Darkness (lighting the pathway to freedom.) –
January 2019 I was asked by my pastors to show the DVD and speak at our Wednesday night serv. The teens left for their class, only adults present. I was so taken back by the silence during the presentation and all the questions. I answered each and everyone and many of the ladies were in tears, many unaware that this was happening in America. Two weeks later we showed the same to the teens and almost the same reaction. TOTAL SILENCE during the DVD. Not as many questions from them, but they are now aware of what human trafficking looks like and what to do about it. This will be an ongoing event in Marion Cnty, Fl as our ministry travels from church to church and business to business. Thank you Linda Smith and all the Shared hope staff. We will be attending the Ohio 2019 conference.
Lisa –
Excellent video. We use it in our school’s mandated human trafficking curriculum for all students.
Health Class Teacher/OR (verified owner) –
Our team here at the high school are so appreciative of the work that you do. The Chosen presentation was informative and delivered consistently without technical issues and our students gained some valuable information. Thank you again for your professionalism, organization, and your willingness to be in our classes. Health Class Teacher/OR