Our August Newsletter. Mitakuyapi Anpetu Was’te! Good Day My Relatives! August was HOT here on the plains of South Dakota, but we kept busy with zoom calls, community activities and cultural events, our mentorship program, capacity building through social media, and the excitement of having a major contribution to our advertising needs. First, you may have noticed that we updated our website to include a new webpage for Resources and we updated our Training Page. Now our September and October training calendars are full. But we could always make some room. Our dedication to providing awareness and prevention of sex trafficking is one of our main priorities. We offer training to organizations, groups, churches, businesses, law enforcement agencies, casinos, youth groups, schools, and more. We would be more than happy to accommodate you for your training needs, we have several topics to choose from, including Cyber Safety. Next is our very exciting news: We began a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, back in June, a media campaign to bring human trafficking awareness across Indian Country. And in mid-August, we were happy to see our efforts to create an effective media campaign flood South Dakota from Sioux Falls (Mnihaha) to Rapid City (Mniluzahan). Now our logo and website address, alongside the Blue Campaign, are being advertised on billboards, online social media ads, and radio announcements. |
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The billboards are strategically placed I-90 and I-25, which are the two major human trafficking corridors in South Dakota. Electronic billboards are at intersections in more populated cities like Rapid City and Sioux Falls to target urban areas where human trafficking also occurs. The online ads are running across social media platforms like Facebook to target that demographic. If you happen to see one, or two while scrolling social media, give us a like and share, and please tag us #Pathfindercenter. The radio ads are being aired on local radio stations across the state, too. |
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“The Blue Campaign is teaming up with Pathfinder Center of South Dakota to help at-risk Native Americans protect themselves from human trafficking and exploitation. Pathfinder Center is there to help. They provide a community-based place of refuge for persons who have been trafficked from all over South Dakota, where they can seek support services.” said Brandy Bynum, Blue Campaign Program Manager, quoted from the radio PSA. To see more of what they offer, go to our Resource page. |
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The Blue Campaign is truly a godsend as it brings more awareness to at-risk Native Americans and encourages people to protect themselves from human trafficking and exploitation. These efforts also work to promote the Pathfinder Center as a place of refuge for anyone who has experienced sex trafficking and needs support services, especially to begin their path to healing. The Pathfinder Center thanks the DHS Blue Campaign for partnering with us to provide awareness about Human Trafficking through these advertising outlets. For more information about the DHS Blue Campaign go to www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign. |
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They also have Native Communities Awareness Poster Series that you can order free of charge. Click Here. |
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And last but not least, the last few weeks of August were exciting and busy, as well. On August 24-26 we hosted four wonderful interns from the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine to continue our collaboration with the university, which began in 2017. We are listed as a cultural immersion site for their School of Medicine interns to learn about our beautiful Dakota culture and history, and for them to gain valuable insight and knowledge on cultural competency, historical trauma, and the current issues surrounding sex trafficking, which will help them be knowledgable medical staff in the future. |
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We are thankful for their mindfulness and willingness to learn. They also helped us around the center by tending to our box garden, cleaning, helping with sorting items and clothes, and even did some minor repairs. But most importantly, we built a relationship with them and now share memories. They created some beautiful artwork for the hallway in the center - we love them. They will remind us that together we can create a better life for survivors who chose to escape and heal through the help of the Pathfinder Center. |
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Without the generous support of our collaborators such as the university, and our donors, none of this would be possible. Please join us in these efforts by contributing today. Your donation is tax-deductible. You can join us and continue this good work in many ways. Our programs are made possible by your generous support. Thank you for being part of our community and standing with Pathfinder Center. We are confident that trafficking victims can begin a life of healing and freedom with your support. For more information visit: Pathfinder Center @ www.pathfindercenter.org Like us on Facebook @pathfindercenter.org Follow us on Twitter @pathfinder605. Instagram @pathfindercenter605 Youtube @Pathfinder Center, Human Trafficking Refuge |
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God bless you and stay well. We appreciate you! Lisa Heth
Pathfinder Center, Executive Director |
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