A Small Group can make a Huge Difference!

We brought together for a Group Process project. Our task was simple (okay, it wasn’t that simple): pick a charity and conduct fundraisers to raise money for that charity. We chose the International Justice Mission because of its strong presence and support on campus. During a period of 8 weeks we put together two bake sales and a dinner program. One bake sale was held at WAC. Our second bake sale was conducted at the nearby Untied Community Methodist Church. Finally, we hosted an event at Bar Louie in downtown Naperville. There we were joined by the cast of Elephant’s Graveyard who had their cast meal at our event. In total we managed to raise $335.43. It was an amazing experience! We are all so excited that our hard work and effort can go towards such a worthwhile cause!

Sincerely,

iHelp Members

Hywel Griffith, Ana Rivera, Ariel Siever, Marissa Slater, April Vrtis, & Veronica Walker

One Peace, One Love Revisited

Senior Erica McCauley recollects the final two events for Project Liberation:

One Peace, One Love made an impact on the campus of North Central. Although there was a small turn out for each event, it was powerful to see the reactions of those that came to the events not knowing what they were getting themselves into. By involving a local band from Chicago (The Earth Program), IJM raised $120 against human slavery. :0) The following morning, students came through to make their fourth and final button (Liberate), and showed their loyalty to ending slavery. My favorite guest of that Saturday was the man who saw our informational booths, was interested, and stopped by. He literally pulled his car over to learn about modern day slavery, and did not turn around and leave! He stayed and looked/listened to all the information at each booth. It was touching, and an overall amazing experience for each event.

 The Earth Program benefit concert

 One Peace, One Love informational booth event

Support IJM!

This message is from Hywel Griffith:

Come to Bar Louie in downtown Naperville for appetizers and a drink for $10 at 6pm TODAY (Thursday)! All money goes to the International Justice Mission! (there's also $2 burgers if you're extra hungry!)

Come support and eat delicious food!

Bar Louie
22 E Chicago Ave # 115
Naperville, IL 60540-4987

Faith, Justice and Coffee!

Join us for the Second Installment of the new Faith, Justice and Coffee series!

What? Please join us over breakfast for a conversation about faith and justice related to specific topics. The second installment of our new series will feature an in-depth look at faith and human trafficking and will be led by Bob Leoni, a socially responsible investment activist with OnPath Financial, LLC of St. Charles.

When? Thursday, May 5th from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.

Where? Hesed House's Comprehensive Resource Center Conference Room, located at 680 S. River Street in Aurora.

Introductions and networking will start at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 8. We respect everyone's differing schedules and warmly welcome latecomers as well as those needing to leave early!

Complimentary fair trade coffee and a light breakfast will be served.

Everyone is welcome, and I encourage you to invite any others you feel may be interested.

If you are interested, email Jeremy Gudauskas at jkgudauskas@noctrl.edu

NINJA NIGHT!

This upcoming weekend we have our culminating events for Project Liberation! (May 6: Invisible Children benefit concert at the Union. 7pm.
AND
May 7: Project Liberation cook-out and fun activities at Jefferson Plaza. 9:30am-2pm).

To get prepped up, we will be having a NINJA NIGHT meeting tomorrow (Monday, May 2) at 6:30pm. The meeting will be located in the Eastman Reading room in Kiekhofer (the seating area at the top of the steps).

We will discuss the upcoming event and then go attack the campus with chalk, posters and all kinds of publicity! COME AND SUPPORT!

Thanks everyone for your help! Looking forward to this awesome week of events!

Painting Umbrellas: Inspire Social Change

Take a look at this opportunity on Thursday:

"Lamb Umbrellas for Peace Project is a global art project involving painting and decorating umbrellas by children and adults. The individual will artistically design umbrellas that represent their personal values of world peace. A subsequent parade happens throughout their neighborhoods or campus. This is a manifestation of the individual bringing peace throughout their world that they live in."

One of the residents in Seybert [Rose Gabler] is the granddaughter of the man who founded the organization. Her family is opening a Museum in Chicago. Part of the grand opening celebration is having 50 painted umbrellas on display. 

Thursday at 9PM, in the basement lounge of Kimmel, we'll be painting umbrellas. No artistic skill is required.

Should anyone be interested, they may call the RA on duty for North End to let them in. The number is on the door [630. 631.3736].

NCC Invisible Children - 25

 The Invisible Children Program is hosting its nation wide "25" event on Sunday from 7 PM until 8 pm Monday night. The program asks participants to take an oath of silence for 25 hours straight, to represent the 25-year war between the Lord's Resistance Army and Central Africa...a war that has seen the abduction of over 40,000 children.

As part of the "25" program, anyone is encouraged to donate money that funds the necessary technology that will help get these kids out of the LRA. Here is more info on the event and the IC program.

http://www2.invisiblechildren.com/25

Here is the account we ask North Central College students to donate to.

http://ic.stayclassy.org/member/ic-fundraising?fcid=11895

I know many of us are poor college students that can't afford to give up a little change, but maybe while you see your relatives over this Easter weekend, you can get them to give a little.

To give, you just click on her account and click "donate" and they will ask for the usual credit/card info.

Thanks!

IJM Conference: Hannah Zimmerman

Last weekend four of us from our campus chapter of International Justice Mission had the opportunity to go to IJM’s Global Prayer Gathering just outside of Washington, D.C., and it was such an amazing experience!  Erica McCauley, Michael Tworek, Grant Swanson, and I left campus at 4:30am to get to O’Hare in time for our 6am flight. Needless to say, we all slept on the plane! Thursday and Friday was a Conference of Student Learning and Global Justice, so we were with about 100 students from all over the United States. We learned about justice and issues surrounding it from people like Nick Wolterstorff, a Philosophy professor at Yale who talked about the deep ties between justice and righteousness, and IJM field office directors from all over the world, who talked about what God has been doing in their city or area. We also learned about “Advocacy and the Creation of Social Demand” from Holly Burkhalter, IJM’s Vice President of Government Relations. 

The student learning sessions wrapped up on Friday afternoon just in time for registration for the Global Prayer Gathering. This started out with a banquet, at which Gary Haugen, President and CEO of IJM, talked about our views of God and justice and prayer. His emphasized that God is the Lord, God will not be mocked by evil, God loves justice, and God will act. He stressed how God is moved by the pleas of His children, and this is why we raise our voices in “active, passionate, vigorous, forceful, and steady” prayer, like “patient fighters.” 

This is exactly what we did all day on Saturday as we moved from room to room, learning specifics about IJM operations all over the world and then praying that God would move there and bring justice to the oppressed. I went to the prayer rooms for Kigali (Rwanda), Kampala (Uganda), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Guayaquil (Ecuador), Chiang Mai (Thailand), and Global Partnerships (IJM offices in UK, Netherlands, Germany, and Canada). 

It was so refreshing to hear stories of God’s work all over the world! Our flight left D.C. at 6am Sunday morning and we were back in Naperville by late morning, but I think we all left some of our hearts back in Virginia with the people we met and those we prayed for.  The Student Learning Conference and the Global Prayer Gathering were so helpful and encouraging for all of us and I hope we get to go back next year and hear all the stories of how God is bringing more justice and healing to victims of violent oppression!

Psalm 103:6 –  “The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.”

Words of Encouragement

Listen to this encouraging story from Katie Brouch! Wear your buttons and raise awareness! Thanks everyone!

WEAR YOUR BUTTONS!!!

Tomorrow is our big BUTTON WEARING DAY! Be sure to wear your 'VIOLATED' button and tell everyone you know about the realities of 'sex-trafficking!'

Here is an encouraging message from Gracie Hollister:

News from 'NCC for Africa'

'NCC for Africa' is a new student group on campus dedicated to raising awareness about the injustice and international apathy toward Africa today.

To start out, 'NCC for Africa' is focusing on the '25' campaign through Invisible Children. Follow this link to learn more.

'NCC for Africa' will partner with the International Justice Mission as part of the Invisible Children Program's "25" event. On April 25th, participants will take an oath of silence to raise of awareness of the children fighting in the Congo. We will try to raise money for the IC program before. For more info, feel free to check this out.

We also discussed the potential of conducing a clothing drive to benefit the Rwandan group "Ubuntu in Action" and group in Kenya, hosting a screening of a local film maker's documentary on Kenyan slums to name a few, and partnering with a group in Decatur that sells items from the area...just to name a few.

To lead up to the 25th, 'NCC for Africa' will be conducting a bake sale on Thursday (April 13) at 5:30 PM and also at noon on Friday (April 14) in the lobby of  WAC. If you have anything you would like to bake and sell, let me know. You will be refunded. We are also looking for a few great people to sell baked goods.

There will be a meeting in the Kiekoffer gathering room on Tuesday (April 19) at 4:15 PM. At the meeting will knock the final details and what everyone will do at the event.

For more information, please contact Ryan Piers at rjpiers@noctrl.edu

Reactions

Hear what senior Weien Wang has to say about Project Liberation!

'Violated' Button

It is here: the third and final installment of the Project Liberation button series: 'Violated.'

Throughout the entirety of 3rd week, we will be passing out the 'Violated' button to raise awareness about the specific topic of sex trafficking.

You will be able to find us in new locations this week: Kaufman, Monday, Wednesday and Friday (12-2) and the Cage, Tuesday and Thursday (12-2).

Stop by at this locations anytime during this week (April 11-15) and pick up a button!

And stay tuned for the huge event planned for the weekend of 6th week (May 6-7). We are looking for volunteers to help out on the 7th (that is Saturday, May 7). It will be during the day.

If you are interested in helping out during this exciting event that will change the way North Central students look at human slavery, please respond to gtswanson@noctrl.edu and I will contact you individually with details.

Give Obama a Call!

Take out this initiative from the ONE organization:

We continue to wait on a 2011 budget vote from Congress—and this means two important things:

• Poverty-fighting programs—which make up less than 1% of the budget—still stand to get badly cut.

• Time is running out to protect funding for the world’s poor.

ONE members made thousands of calls to the Senate two weeks ago, urging them to protect our commitment to fight extreme poverty. Now it’s time to tell the president we need his help, too.

Call the White House and tell President Obama to defend funding for the world’s poor in this year’s budget: 

President Obama: 202-456-1111 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            202-456-1111      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Michigan Cracks Down

This article discusses recent legislation passed in Michigan to crack down on human trafficking issues. The officials who pushed this legislation through discuss how more states need to get on the ball and start dealing with these issues because they are very real. South Dakota has already passed such legislation and Texas is on its way.

Modern Day Slaves in India

A family desperate for work, finds themselves among the slave trade in India. Mother of three, Durgawati says that she was desperate for a $22 advance, yet she has been working for three months with no pay. They endure backbreaking work every day making bricks to build buildings. Her three young children are considered part of the "work force" as well.
Follow this link to watch the video. 

Post by Erica McCauley

Invisible Children: The 25 Campaign

 

For the last 25 years, thousands of people in central Africa have been silenced by the LRA. So for 25 hours, thousands of participants around the world will go silent so that the victims of the LRA are heard. Money raised from the 25 event will fund The Invisible Children Protection Plan and bring life saving communication and rehabilitation projects to the victims of the LRA.

 

Follow this link to learn about how you can join the 25 Campaign. 

It is Here

 This link gives a description of two women forced into sexual slavery right here in the United States: Detroit, MI. Illegally brought into the United States from false job offers in the Ukraine, the young women were physically forced to work in a strip club and service customers. We too easily forget that sex trafficking is not just a problem in the world 'out there,' but may be next door.

Virtual Slavery Map

Check out this interactive virtual-map of documented modern-day slavery reports from Not for Sale Campaign. The stories/statistics are harrowing.

This is what Not for Sale Campaign has to say to introduce the map and its relevance:
"Welcome to the movement to end slavery. Slavery thrives in the shadows. An estimated 27 million live in bondage today – yet we know about the plight of so few of them. The battle to end slavery begins by revealing it."

Ending Homelessness?

In this article 'Ending Homeless: a Model that just Might Work,' author Pam Fessler gives a heartening look at the overwhelming cause of ending homelessness. A group that started in NYC over 30 years called Common Ground has begun to make advances in their strategies that are producing serious results. Common Ground director Rosanne Haggerty began to notice, despite their best efforts to keep homeless shelters open and available, people were still living on the streets. Haggerty decided to bring in former special ops commander in the army, Becky Kanis, to help 'get things done.' Kanis began a 'into the streets' project that involved seeking out the homeless population rather than waiting for the homeless to come to the shelters. They began a 'vulnerability' ratio from 0-8, hoping to bring in the severest of cases who tend to not be able to help themselves. The shift has moved to bringing the homeless in on their own terms. And since this project began, Haggerty says the number of homeless in times square has gone down from 55 to 0. This is a promising statistic...but there are so many places in NYC yet to reach...and other cities are just beggining to implement the model. Our Country has a long way to go to ending homelessness...with other issues such as affordable housing to contend with, as well. But, the efforts of Common Ground are inspiring and hopeful.

From Grant Swanson

CNN Fights Against Human Slavery!

CNN International launches a year-long project to expose the depths of human trafficking. For the first week of the initiative, CNN International will look into a story about human trafficking every day exposing those who use traded human lives for work, sex, and other exploitation. Their first story begins with an enslaved woman from Uganda working for Gap Inc. This program is intended to last for a year. CNN International will uncover the truths of human trafficking, while enlightening their audience with what is being done to help. The link above describes the ins and outs of the program, whereas this link is a follow up article.

From Erica McCauley

IJM's Project Lantern

International Justice Mission's Project Lantern has succeed beyond anyone's imagination. With funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, Project Lantern went into the Philippines to start putting an end to human trafficking there. They had a measly goal over their 4-year plan; however, they were able to lower exploited minors by 79%. They also so many results such as, an increase in shelters for exploited children, increased law enforcement, and involvement in the cases by the authorities to make a change. This link provides a more detail explanation of the successes, as well as a complete description of Project Lantern.

From Erica McCauley

Presidential Proclamation on Human Slavery

Check out President Obama's speech from Dec. 22 on human slavery. Here is an excerpt:

"Human trafficking is a global travesty that takes many forms.  Whether forced labor or sexual trafficking, child soldiering or involuntary domestic servitude, these abuses are an affront to our national conscience, and to our values as Americans and human beings.  There is no one type of victim -- men and women, adults and children are all vulnerable.  From every corner of our Nation to every part of the globe, we must stand firm in defense of freedom and bear witness for those exploited by modern slavery."

Malaysian laws on domestic servitude

A crackdown on domestic servitude is implemented in Malaysia after years of allowing domestic maids to work in private homes. After many reports of abuse, rape, and violence, the Malaysian government has decided to ban the working of domestic slaves within private homes. After the ban, many private home owners were concerned with their schedules. A woman states that she has had to pick up the slack by quitting her job, to take care of the chores and her family. There were refugee camps for the domestic maids that escaped from their work. Some girls as young as 14 years old showed up after the ban.

Josh explains 'CHAINED'

Listen to what senior Josh Bailey has to say about forced labor and the corresponding button 'CHAINED':

Sign this Petition!

Several days ago, the House voted to make huge cuts in this year’s budget. Poverty-fighting, cost-effective programs—which make up less than one percent of the US budget—were sharply cut. Some key programs that fight AIDS, malaria and hunger were cut by 40%. Programs that promote long-term economic growth were chopped up to 30%. We know Congress faces tough choices on the budget, but these cuts fall hardest on the people who can least afford them.

Now it’s the Senate’s turn to weigh in on the budget—and we’ve got to let them know that they must preserve this funding. Cuts to these life-saving programs will have a real, immediate and devastating impact on the world’s poor.

This is what the petition reads:

Dear Senators, Please do not cut cost-effective, proven programs that fight HIV/AIDS, hunger and preventable disease in this year's budget. These programs--which make up less than one percent of the budget--save millions of lives, strengthen our national security, and help lift people out of poverty for the long-term.

FOLLOW THIS LINK AND ADD YOUR NAME TO THIS IMPORTANT PETITION.

Petition found by Erica McCauley

Erica's Experience with Francis Bok

Here is what senior Erica McCauley had to say about her encounter with Francis Bok this past Tuesday:

"Mr. Bok was an incredible inspiration to listen to. He was able to describe to us his past. He was ripped from his family and friends and held captive for 10 years. The day he was taken, was the last day that he ever saw his parents. He mentioned that he would lie awake at night while he was enslaved thinking, "Is there anybody out there to love me?" He described how he was beaten, and treated like a dog. He told a story about how his master's wife would not allow him to look at her, and if they made eye contact, she would proceed to beat and spit on her. He ended his discussion by encouraging the students that life is NOT permanent, and that anything can change if you put your mind to it. He explained that he was just a boy, and thought his life would always be the same: enslaved, unloved, and miserable. However, he chose to escape, and make his life better. He now fights for the freedom of South Sudanese slaves, and education for children. I spoke with him after the show, and told him about International Justice Mission on campus, and he said that he looked forward to getting in contact with us. :0)"


 We will keep you informed about any future developments!

Invisible Children Monday!

On Monday, Feb. 28^th, at Meiley Swallow Hall the Invisible Children Program, a grassroots organization that raises funds and awareness for social problems in Uganda, will present a heart-tugging film titled “Tony.”

                 

The group’s three California- based filmmakers began constructing the piece nearly eight years ago. It chronicles the adolescence of Tony Bazillo, a boy growing up in war-torn Uganda.

                 

Tony is probably like you and me were as teenagers; a goofy, self-conscious youth who garnered attention by donning fake mustaches and painting his toenails purple. Instead of going to school and cracking chemistry calculations, however, Tony spent his golden years sleeping in shelters and evading the evil rebel group, the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army).

“I invite the whole world to join me, and en this terror,” says Tony in the film’s preview as he embraces his tragic past in hopes of gaining empathy for Uganda from his peers.

Once again, the film will be shown at Meiley Swallow on Feb, 28^th, 7 P.M. at Meilly Swallow, and is sponsored by a new, Africa-focused group on North Central College’s campus. The screening is free, and is open to students and the public. 

We Made a Difference!

This is a letter sent from the organization (Global Exchange) linked with 'The Dark Side of Chocolate' and the petition that so many of you signed. Here is tangible evidence that our voices ARE making a difference:

Hershey CEO David West received a surprise this Valentine’s Day!

A box of flowers was delivered directly to West’s office, containing handmade valentines from children outraged at Hersheys’ continued use of cocoa that has not been certified to be free of child labor or cocoa prices that perpetuate poverty.  The valentines ask Hershey to go Fair Trade.

Check out this must-see web page to view nearly 200 cute, funny valentines included in the box or sent directly to Hershey.

This action to continue the pressure on Hershey was coordinated by Global Exchange and our Raise the Bar Campaign partners International Labor Rights Forum, Green America and Oasis.  Thanks to so many of YOU for participating by mailing your valentines to David West at Hershey.

Hershey Trust President Bob Reese (of peanut butter cup family fame) filed a court complaint just days before Valentine’s Day, accusing Hershey Trust board members of serious violations of their duties.  The allegations include personal financial gain and benefits at the expense of the orphanage that Hershey Company profits support, including a controversial real estate transaction, and improperly funding Republican party events.  Reese was sacked the same day.

Read more here.

The Raise the Bar Hershey Campaign sheds light on Hershey’s failure to end the unethical use of child, forced, and trafficked labor.  This scandal shows that there is a pattern of unethical practices at the Hershey Company.

National Valentine’s Day of Action:  Thank you!

Thanks to each and every one of you that reached out to educators or taught students about Fair Trade using Global Exchange’s Fair Trade curriculum.  Once again, we reached thousands of students with our important messages detailing how free trade perpetuates poverty, labor abuses, and environmental degradation, and how Fair Trade presents a solution.

Our Fair Trade curriculum can be taught all year long, so if you are and educator or know one, visit this page.

To learn more about our Hershey Campaign, please visit http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/raisethebarhershey.html

Destroying the Glue of a Society

Rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo 

The link above will take you to a ten minute documentary by Marcus Bleasdale that discusses the impacts that rape used as a tool of war has on a society. Most of his research derives from the Democratic Republic of Congo. This documentary is incredibly informative, real and devestating.

From Senior Erica McCauley