Next stop: New Orleans, LA!
Our Executive Director William, Bill Canny, went south to Louisiana with the Santa Marta Group, Hogan Lovells, and other organizations to discuss with Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards the issues of human trafficking. Earlier this year the Governor and his wife visited the USCCB, where they took the time to discuss the effect of human trafficking in the state, its root causes, the intersections with prison reform, substance use and misuse, violence against women and more. During his stay in Louisiana, Bill Canny visited women’s shelters, including Eden House and Metanoia, and spent time at Angola prison to meet with inmates and hear their stories.
Bill expressed “immense gratitude for this experience, being able to learn more about the work being done in Louisiana and around the world to end labor and sexual exploitation. Local, State, and international organizations such as the Santa Marta Group (SMG) play a vital role in ending the crime of human trafficking, which has been a focus here at USCCB for many years”.
The SMG takes its name from the apartments near the Vatican, a popular residence for those visiting Vatican City, and which also functions as the Holy Father’s primary residence. It is an organization that seeks to be a catalyst for systemic change to end human trafficking by bringing together leaders from civil society, law enforcement, business, diverse faiths, and local communities. It is focused on building partnerships, and uniting many serving professions and agencies that help contribute to the abolition of modern slavery globally. Its leadership includes Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Kevin Hyland, David Ryle, and now a Trustee, First Lady Donna Edwards.
Places Visited
Started in 2011, Eden House is an organization focused on eradicating the harboring, transpiration or selling of human beings; they focus on systemic change through prevention education in youth prevention, legislative advocacy, recovery and reentry services for victims and survivors of human trafficking. Moreover, their long-term housing shelter which helps to reenter individuals into society after their victimization.
Eden House became the first recovery home for adult victims of trafficking, and exploitation in the New Orleans area, inspired by the recovery home in Nashville, Tennessee named Magdalene House/Thistle Farms. Eden House’s mission is focused on the epidemic of human trafficking and its commercial sexual exploitation for all ages, ethnicities, and races. Focused on housing victims and helping them seek treatment for substance use, behavioral health, and long-term services like job readiness and skill-based prevention education.
Founded in 2018, by Fr. Jeffery Bayhi, as a faith-based residential facility for victims and survivors of human trafficking, is a holistic approach in healing physically, spiritually, mentally and more. Metanoia provides intervention services for behavioral health, and physical health, life skills and more to female’s survivors focused on rehabilitating all parts of the individual.
As a long-term placement option, with a multilingual staff they take a holistic approach when treating survivors, including their physical, spiritual, and mental health, education, and transition services. This multifaceted approach supports a strategy that will help to empower individuals as they transition back into society with new skills and supports.
Conclusion
USCCB is grateful for the opportunity that our Executive Director was able to represent the anti-trafficking program, and the work the Catholic Church is doing to combat human trafficking. The initiatives discussed, meetings and hours of planning and collaborating to find new and unique solutions focused on prevention and rehabilitation.
As our anti-trafficking program continues to grow in the advancement of prevention and education, we continue to find ways to expand our current programs and work on the development of new programs. This includes culturally diverse communities, young adult and college students, migrant workers and more. As part of a new initiative, we are introducing a monthly prayer service to raise awareness and talk about different issues that intersect with human trafficking. This monthly prayer service will take place on the 8th of every month, virtually to provide a reflection and prayer for victims of trafficking and exploitation.
If interested in learning more about our programs and finding other resources, please email our Anti-Trafficking Education and Outreach Coordinator at fonetti@usccb.org.