Meet Jaiya

Jiaya never imagined that accepting a job offer would change her life. Shortly after her arrival in Texas, Jiaya was simply glad to have found a job and spent spent several days washing linens.  

However, when her employer learned she did not have any immigration documents, Jiaya was taken to a nearby apartment and stripped of her clothes, given lingerie and told that she would now be working as a prostitute. 

When Jiaya refused, she was beaten severely and deprived of food for several days. She was never allowed out of the small apartment - customers were brought to her. One month after her arrival, a police raid occurred, and Jiaya was identified as a victim of human trafficking.

Jiaya was immediately brought to Mosaic House, where she received food and clothing as well as shelter. Meeting with a case manager that spoke her language as well as Mosaic's attorneys and counselors helped Jiaya gain the confidence she needed to begin building her life anew. Jiaya has now moved out of Mosaic House and has found a job of her own choice.

*Name changed for safety

Jiaya's story of resilience would not be possible without supporters like you. 

Get involved in the fight against human trafficking to help others escape exploitation. Today, January 11, is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Make a commitment today to get involved in the fight against modern day slavery.

Volunteer your time at Mosaic by teaching a class or helping with street outreach, or donate basic necessitiesfor our shelter such as cleaning supplies or hygiene items. 

SOURCE: http://www.mosaicservices.org/

Dallas area non-profit events supporting victims of human trafficking and violence

Below is an email I received from Mosaic Family Services in Dallas. I live in the Dallas area and wholly support Mosaic. They have some great events coming up that I invite everyone to attend who lives in the DFW area. Dear John, Thank you for your ongoing support of Mosaic and our efforts to serve refugee and immigrant survivors of violence! Mosaic is unique in providing legal protection for victims as well as food, shelter, counseling, and case management. Our Multicultural Legal Services Program assists victims of domestic violence and human trafficking in both immigration and family law. Many of the laws that protect our clients and the funding that helps us to provide legal services is made available under the Violence Against Women Act, which is up for reauthorization this year. To learn more about the reauthorization process and how to contact your Senator about supporting VAWA, check out 4vawa.org      Upcoming Events  Benefit Dinner at Desta Ethiopian Restaurant . From 5:30-11pm on Monday, March 5, Desta Ethiopian Restaurant will donate 10% of all proceeds to Mosaic Family Services. Come eat a delicious Ethiopian dinner and support Mosaic at the same time!  Join us at:  12101 Greenville Ave, Suite 105  Dallas, TX 75243   5K and 1 Mile Run  Benefiting Mosaic Family Services Join us on Saturday, May 12th to learn more about human trafficking in the Dallas area and what you can do help stop it! Click here to Register For more information go to www.mosaicservices.org/events Thank you again for your support. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events! Many thanks,   Laura Haynes Development Director  Mosaic Family Services

Dallas Anti-Trafficking 5K Race! Virtual Runners Welcome

It's time to strap on those running shoes and get a little exercise for a great cause. I will see you there!

Mosaic Family Services, a Dallas based non-profit organization combating human trafficking and domestic violence, is preparing for their second annual Mosaic in Motion to Stop the Abuse 5K and 1M run. You can participate by running in the event yourself, or you can register online as a virtual runner.

This is a wonderful non-profit organization that I have written about in the past. One of the neat things about their 5K run is the option to be a "Virtual Runner."

• Not everyone is in shape or desires to run 3.2 miles. (But you have 4 weeks to get there!)
  
• Not everyone is available to run on May 14th.
  
• Not everyone wakes up by 9am on Saturday.
  
• Not everyone who would like to support this organization and their anti-trafficking work lives in the Dallas Area.

The solution. Register as a virtual runner. You can support this wonderful organization and you will also get a "Mosaic in Motion" T-Shirt mailed to you.


Here are the full race details.

RACE PROCEEDS
Proceeds will benefit members of our community who are victims of domestic violence and human trafficking in critical need of the services provided by Mosaic Family Services.

REGISTRATION
To Register online: Click Here or download/print brochure and mail with a check made payable to Mosaic Family Services by April 30, 2011 to:

Mosaic Family Services
Attn: Nu Nguyen
4144 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 530
Dallas, TX 75204-2105

FEES (non-refundable)
Early registration by April 30, 2011 - $25
Registration by May 13, 2011 - $30
On-site registration on May 14, 2011 - $35
Youth ages 5-17 - $15
Youth ages 4 and under and four-legged friends are free.
T-shirts will be given to all registered participants at event.

WHEN
Saturday, May 14, 2011
5K 9:00am
1 Mile 9:30am

WHERE
Oak Point Park and Nature Reserve Amphitheater
2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX 75074

START TIMES (Rain or Shine)
Registration and t-shirt pick up starts at 8:00 AM.
5K Run will start at 9:00 AM.
1 Mile will start at 9:30 AM.

VIRTUAL RUNNER
If you cannot get in Motion on May 14th because you are out of town, have another commitment or if you just want to sleep in on race day, you can still participate! Signup as a Virtual Runner and register your support for Mosaic. As a Virtual Runner, you will still receive a t-shirt to show your valued involvement in this wonderful cause. You can even register the whole family as a Virtual Runner Team and support this great cause. Become a Virtual Runner now!

WHY BE A SPONSOR
We have five (5) levels of Sponsorship that will provide your company with countless publicity, opportunities and recognition. These packages are a unique opportunity to position your company regionally while aligning with a wonderful cause! For more information on Sponsorship or if you want to be a Sponsor to this Cause please CLICK HERE.

Download Mosaic In Motion Brochure/Registration Form NOW!

Calling all runners...including "Virtual Runners"

WE NEED RUNNERS FOR A GOOD CAUSE!!!

Mosaic Family Services, a Dallas based non-profit organization combating human trafficking and domestic violence, is preparing for their second annual Mosaic in Motion to Stop the Abuse 5K and 1M run. You can participate by running in the event yourself, or you can register as a virtual runner.

Virtual runners get all the benefits, such as a T-shirt and supporting Mosaic's work, but without the need of actually running. Plus, virtual runners can register from anywhere in the country so you don't have to be present in Dallas to run!

Mosaic Family Services is a wonderful local organization that I have written about before. Here are just some of the great things Mosaic accomplished in 2010.

2010 Accomplishments by Mosaic Family Services

• Served over 100 Victims of Human Trafficking.
  
• Provided over 400 immigrant and refugee victims of domestic violence with comprehensive services including counseling and legal representation.
  
• Provided 209 women and children fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking with safe housing.
• Helped 725 newly arrived refugees improve the health of their families and access medical care.
  
• Educated 15,000 individuals in North Texas about domestic violence, human trafficking.
  
  

RACE PROCEEDS
Proceeds will benefit members of our community who are victims of domestic violence and human trafficking in critical need of the services provided by Mosaic Family Services.

REGISTRATION
To Register online: Click Here or download/print brochure and mail with a check made payable to Mosaic Family Services by April 30, 2011 to:

Mosaic Family Services
Attn: Nu Nguyen
4144 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 530
Dallas, TX 75204-2105

FEES (non-refundable)
Early registration by April 30, 2011 - $25
Registration by May 13, 2011 - $30
On-site registration on May 14, 2011 - $35
Youth ages 5-17 - $15
Youth ages 4 and under and four-legged friends are free.
T-shirts will be given to all registered participants at event.

WHEN
Saturday, May 14, 2011
5K 9:00am
1 Mile 9:30am

WHERE
Oak Point Park and Nature Reserve Amphitheater
2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX 75074

START TIMES (Rain or Shine)
Registration and t-shirt pick up starts at 8:00 AM.
5K Run will start at 9:00 AM.
1 Mile will start at 9:30 AM.

VIRTUAL RUNNER
If you cannot get in Motion on May 14th because you are out of town, have another commitment or if you just want to sleep in on race day, you can still participate! Signup as a Virtual Runner and register your support for Mosaic. As a Virtual Runner, you will still receive a t-shirt to show your valued involvement in this wonderful cause. You can even register the whole family as a Virtual Runner Team and support this great cause. Become a Virtual Runner now!

WHY BE A SPONSOR
We have five (5) levels of Sponsorship that will provide your company with countless publicity, opportunities and recognition. These packages are a unique opportunity to position your company regionally while aligning with a wonderful cause! For more information on Sponsorship or if you want to be a Sponsor to this Cause please CLICK HERE.

2010 Dallas anti-human trafficking success stories from Mosaic Family Services

I received this letter from Mosaic Family Services and felt it worth sharing. They share some of their 2010 success stories in the battle against human trafficking here in Dallas. One of these is about a young girl trafficked into the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. As I reflect upon the Christmas season, this letter helped me to put in perspective my life as I thought of my blessings, the sometimes sickening hardships of this world and the hope we can offer others through our time, service and dedication.

With your help, this last fiscal year Mosaic Family Services:

• Served over 100 Victims of Human Trafficking.
• Provided over 400 immigrant and refugee victims of domestic violence with comprehensive services including counseling and legal representation.
• Provided 209 women and children fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking with safe housing.
• Helped 725 newly arrived refugees improve the health of their families and access medical care.
• Educated 15,000 individuals in North Texas about domestic violence, human trafficking, and the services we offer.

Greetings!

Are safety and freedom are your wish list this year?

Linda wished for freedom for many years before Mosaic helped her find it. As a young girl, she was brought from her home in Africa to the United States by her neighbors' relatives. She was told that upon arrival she would help care for her neighbor's family and receive an education. Instead, Linda was treated as a slave, forced to work as a nanny and a housekeeper for the family while her passport was withheld, ensuring that she could not leave the restraints of her employment. She was not paid for her work, and the promise of an education was never kept. After five years in domestic servitude, she ran away.

After Linda escaped from her traffickers, a community member referred her to Mosaic Family Services. She was assigned a case manager, who immediately contacted federal law enforcement to report the crime. In spite of escaping, Linda continued to receive threats from her traffickers through phone contact. To ensure her safety, Linda was moved to Mosaic House, our emergency shelter for immigrant women who have been victims of domestic violence or human trafficking. Meanwhile, her case manager and a Mosaic attorney continued to meet with law enforcement, and Linda was identified as a victim of trafficking. The next month, she began to receive the benefits that are available for victims of trafficking, such as Food Stamps, Medicaid, and cash assistance. While her attorney prepared papers to help her file for a T-Visa, Linda met with a counselor to talk through her experiences and began a job training program. Today, she is excited about her life. She has a job she enjoys and plans to attend college to become a member of the medical profession.

Sadly, Linda's case is not unique. 15,000-17,000 victims are brought into the United States every year to be exploited and enslaved through domestic servitude, prostitution, and in the agricultural, garment, and construction industries.

25% of all human trafficking victims in the nation were exploited in Texas.

While awareness has been raised about trafficking occasioned by the Super Bowl, human trafficking happens every day. Mosaic works day in and day out to provide comprehensive services for victims of this heinous and often invisible crime.

Please consider making a year-end donation today. With your support, Mosaic Family Services can combat human trafficking and continue to provide comprehensive services to other immigrants and refugees in crisis.

Happy Holidays,

Walter Nguyen, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Mosaic Family Services

Suggested by the author:

• 25% of human trafficking victims enter through Texas
• Celebrities against slavery: Interview with Eric Balfour of "Skyline" and "24"
• How I started my abolitionist journey
• Celebrities against slavery: Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore
• Human trafficking and the Super Bow