Hannah's Story--
A Survivor
8:00 min
January 28, 2021 Interview
27:24 min
Bethany Christian Services of SE Michigan
30685 Barrington St., Madison Heights, Michigan 48071
US NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE
1-888-3737-888
Text "BEFREE" 233733
Call 911
January 26, 2021 Interview
32:41 min
The World of Human Trafficking - What You Need to Know!
Throughout the month of January, in recognition of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Soroptimist International of Grosse Pointe (SIGP) & Greater Macomb (SIGM) Human Trafficking Committees provided weekly programs moderated by Kristi Kirschmann from The Joseph Project.
Kristi presented and discussed the most current information about human trafficking with community leaders combating this crime daily. Experts discussed the reality that our communities face and provided useful insights to help end this growing industry.
SIGP encourages you to share and promote each program with your family, friends, and professional networks. The more we know, the safer our world will be for tomorrow's generations!
A special note of gratitude: 2020 was a year of cooperation and collaboration with many groups and individuals. The Human Trafficking Committee would like to express our appreciation to each person who volunteered their time and energy to bring this informative program to you. Special recognition goes out to Kristi Kirschmann and Nate Knapper from The Joseph Project, whose time and talents were instrumental in this program's success.
Have a safe 2021,
Laurie Jost & Karrie Blankenship
SIGP Human Trafficking Committee Chairs
Meet Our Moderator kristi kirschmann
2021 NATIONAL SLAVERY & HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH
Human trafficking interviews
Det. David Huffman is currently a member of the Warren Police Department Special Investigations Division. He has 18 years in law enforcement, including investigative experience in sex trafficking, crimes against persons, violent crimes, and narcotics. He is currently an instructor with the Anam Cara Group, who trains law enforcement in the identification and investigation of sex trafficking within the Metro Detroit area. The Anam Cara Group is the recipient of the 2019 Liberator Award from the SOAP Project.
January 29, 2021 Interview
14:56 min
Kristi Kirschmann is the COO of The Joseph Project. Kristi is passionate about bringing her experience leading major marketing and communication initiatives to the faith-based non-profit sector. She knows that marketing and communication can be leveraged powerfully to bring an organization’s vision of making an eternal impact to life. Kristi was VP, Brand Marketing Partner, at one of the world’s largest advertising agencies and led the marketing efforts for various multi-million dollar General Motors brands, including Cadillac. After taking some time off to raise her two boys, she served as the Marketing Director for EACH, a consortium of 650 churches from across Metro Detroit. She had the privilege of leading the development and implementation of the 2WordStory campaign that reached thousands of people in the region and around the world. Most recently, Kristi was the Marketing and Communication Director at Woodside Bible Church, a 14-campus multi-site church family that has over 11,000 people attending services across southeast Michigan every weekend. In her role, she also led marketing for Dream Centers of Michigan, The Lodge, and the Woodside Vision Foundation. Kristi is a Spartan at heart, having earned a BA in Communication from Michigan State University.
Nate Knapper is the Founder and CEO of The Joseph Project. As a federal law enforcement officer, he served on a Detroit-based anti-trafficking squad, where he investigated human trafficking and child exploitation matters. Nate formerly served as an Assistant Attorney General at the Michigan Department of Attorney General, where he worked as a member of the Michigan Commission on Human Trafficking. He is a member of the State Bar of California and the State Bar of Michigan. He is a graduate of Calvin College, Pepperdine Law School, and the Straus Dispute Resolution Institute.
January 4, 2021 Introduction with nate knapper
January 19, 2021 Interview
31:36 min
The Reality of Human Trafficking in Michigan - What You Need to Know!
January 11, 2021 Interview
29:30 min
Karen Hanks is a licensed social worker who has worked in domestic violence, child welfare, and hospital social work. In recent years, Karen has volunteered in Nepal and her local community working with anti-trafficking organizations and participating in various anti-trafficking activities. Currently, Karen serves as the chair of the Macomb County Anti-Trafficking Task Force. She is the coordinator for the Trafficking Victims Assistance Program at Bethany Christian Services of SE Michigan, where she works with foreign nationals trafficked in the US. Karen also offers educational presentations to medical professionals, law enforcement trainees, and various community groups to raise awareness of human trafficking in Michigan and the United States.
Honorable Deborah Thomas is the supervising judge of the Michigan 3rd Circuit Veterans Treatment Court, serving on the bench for 25 years and an active member of Soroptimist International of Grosse Pointe's Human Trafficking Awareness Committee.
Judge Thomas promotes the concept of specialty courts in Michigan for veterans, drug abusers, and people with mental health problems. The Veterans Treatment Court is designed to address the individual needs of each veteran assisting with housing, employment, mental and physical treatment, as well as substance abuse treatment based on the needs of the veteran. Veterans are also assisted in obtaining collateral legal services. addressing family, traffic, and benefit issues. Judge Thomas is a proponent of establishing a Human Trafficking Survivors Treatment Court for victims of human trafficking based on the same model.
Nate Knapper is the Founder and CEO of The Joseph Project. As a federal law enforcement officer, he served on a Detroit-based anti-trafficking squad, where he investigated human trafficking and child exploitation matters. Nate formerly served as an Assistant Attorney General at the Michigan Department of Attorney General, where he worked as a member of the Michigan Commission on Human Trafficking. He is a member of the State Bar of California and the State Bar of Michigan. He is a graduate of Calvin College, Pepperdine Law School, and the Straus Dispute Resolution Institute.
- Warren Police Department Detective
- Special Operations Unit
- Special Victims Division
- Criminal Investigations Division
- Special Investigations Division
- Instructor: The Anam Cara Group
Angela Aufdemberge became President and CEO of Vista Maria in October 2011 after 14 years as a volunteer and member of the Board of Directors. Under her leadership, Vista Maria has embraced a commitment to Trauma Informed Care and has trained the entire staff to use this philosophy in all interactions. As part of Vista Maria’s dedication to helping female survivors of human trafficking, a new $4.8 million building will open on campus in 2020 to serve more than 30 females who were victimized.
In 2019, she received the Eugene Miller Fellowship that honors outstanding, experienced leaders of McGregor-funded nonprofit organizations in metropolitan Detroit. She was named a Notable Women in Nonprofits by Crain’s Detroit Business in 2018.
Prior to her position with Vista Maria, Angela served as Executive Vice President of operations and sales development for Entertainment Publications. Angela has also served as the executive responsible for human resources in North America for a metal cutting tool manufacturer headquartered in Warren; MI and as head of human resources for Arcadia/IHS and Delta Dental Plan of Michigan.
Angela earned her Master of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in business administration from Wayne State University. She also holds a Senior Professional Human Resources Certification by the Society of Human Resources Management.
Soroptimist International of Grosse Pointe @ 2015
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