January Is Anti-Trafficking Month, Yuma Resource Centers Try To Spread Awareness – Vanessa Gongora Report for 13 On Your Side

YUMA, AZ (KYMA, KECY) – Even in Yuma, human trafficking is all around us and we don’t know it.

Trafficking in Arizona can start as early as age 13, according to the McCain Institute Arizona Anti-Trafficking Team, which advocates long-term solutions to end human trafficking.

The McCain Institute also reaches out to vulnerable populations, providing training and technical assistance nationwide, particularly in Arizona.

Joanna Jauregui, senior program coordinator at the McCain Institute, says smuggling and human trafficking are two different crimes, but Yuma’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border is unique.

“Smuggling is a crime against borders, but human trafficking is a crime against people,” explains Jauregui.

And she says there are organizations such as The Healing Journey, Amberly’s place, and law enforcement that are doing their part.

“Not only to ensure that this does not happen in Yuma, Arizona, but to ensure that when victims do come forward, we will be able to provide all the services and knowledge necessary to support survivors and victims. Yes,” continues Jauregui.

According to the National Trafficking Hotline, there will be approximately 650 calls from Arizona in 2021, 240 of which will be from victims or survivors.

We also received over 5,000 calls from California, about 2,000 of which were from trafficking victims or survivors.

The hotline receives tips regarding sex trafficking, labor trafficking, sexual and labor trafficking, and situations where the type of human trafficking may be unknown or unspecified.

In 2021, there will be more than 200 confirmed cases in Arizona and more than 1,300 cases in California.

These Arizona cases involved 337 victims and more than 2,000 victims in California. Cases may involve multiple victims.

Estrella Fitch, CEO and founder of The Healing Journey, a Yuma nonprofit that helps victims of human trafficking, says there are warning signs.

“It’s a sign that you’ve suddenly got money like never before, a cell phone like never before,” Fitch explains. “They’re changing. They’re sneaking out at night and coming back in the morning. They’re tired and sleeping at school. To get through this process, they start using drugs.”

Fitch quietly works with underage victims of sex trafficking through professional counseling, helping them return to school and finding ways out of that lifestyle.

Amberly’s place is the only family advocacy center in Yuma County, Arizona with crisis management teams to assist victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, elder abuse and human trafficking.

The team provides specialized training to reduce trauma for victims.

One of our favorite restaurants, In-N-Out (INO) Burger, is home to a foundation called Slave 2 Nothing that fights drug abuse and human trafficking.

According to Dave Maggard, executive director of INO’s Slave 2 Nothing, the foundation was founded about six years ago by president and owner Lindsey Snyder Ellingson and her husband Sean Ellingson.

“She doesn’t want people to be enslaved by substances or people, and helping nonprofits fight them in the seven states where we have restaurants is a big deal. , it seemed like it was really, really important to her,” says McGard.

In January, INO will have an in-restaurant campaign for others to help the community.

“So customers have the opportunity to donate currency or change cans. You can do that at the point of sale. Maggard explains. “They can scan the barcode as they drive through and make a donation at that time and place.”

100% of the funds raised will be donated directly to approximately 130 non-profit organizations that help victims and survivors of human trafficking and substance abuse.

According to Maggard, INO Burger raised more than $2.5 million last year alone.

INO Burger will match donations up to $300,000 3 to 1 in January.you can still donate online All year round if you can’t get into the restaurant.

Maggard says he’s always looking for organizations to help.

“A great organization fighting drug abuse and/or human trafficking in the large Yuma area,” says Magard. “We want to meet them, get to know them, come with them and find out if there is a way to help them do that very difficult task.

Applications are by invitation only. If you feel your organization aligns with his INO Burger mission and objectives, please contact us at S2NGrants@innout.com.

Evaluations include online application reviews, site visits, and financial analysis.

“We vetted them very carefully and at the end of that process we submitted the list to the board and if they approved the list we could send out a funding check early on. Every April,” McGard continues.

If you notice any suspicious activity, contact your local law enforcement agency or human trafficking hotline At 1-888-373-7888. You can also send a text message to 233733. Advocates are open to her 24/7 reports of possible human trafficking.