Getting the Word Out - September 2017
As children go back to school, requests for presentations and trainings for schools, churches, and civic organizations are on the rise, and End Slavery Tennessee is blessed with highly skilled and passionate volunteers who are always giving their time and energy to answer these requests. We have had many new and diverse volunteer opportunities, and our energetic volunteers have stepped up, front and center, to fill those needs.
Former Director of Education and continuing volunteer, Karen Karpinski, offered her expertise in a presentation given to the Del Webb Women’s Group on August 2nd.
Sherry Gatewood, leader of the Clarksville Volunteer Group, added to her growing resume of presentations an offering at the Springfield Lions Club in Springfield, Tennessee.
End Slavery was asked to return to Alert Community Development Corporation’s (CDC’s) Annual Family FunFest in Smyrna on August 5th. Alert CDC is a 501(c)(3) organization that assists in the development of economic opportunities, provides educational resources, and improves the health of the most underserved groups in our community. Husband and wife volunteers Sarah and Kun Cho, were thrilled to represent End Slavery for this event and had a wonderful time.
Debbie Byrd, a speaker and volunteer with the Hermitage/Donelson Volunteer Group, spoke to the United Methodist Women’s group at Andrew Price United Methodist Church on August 12th.
Former Mrs. Tennessee 2015, and volunteer, Cheryl Brehm, continues to be in high demand with presentations at the Humphrey County Republicans and the Meriwether Lewis Electric Company.
I was very pleased to return to my former “home”, Belmont University, to speak to NP students and faculty on human trafficking and the medical profession. I also was asked to speak to professionals with the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug, and other Addiction Services (TAADAS).
The home church of volunteer and pastor Jamie Corwin, Community Church of Cedar Ridge, was the site of the Community Fair – Neighbor Helping Neighbor, held on August 26th. End Slavery Tennessee was well represented by volunteers Cheryl Brehm, Ivy Jenkins, Ashley Wood, Meg Hudson, Melanie Davenport, Toi Gorham, and Lauren Walton.
End Slavery Tennessee’s second mentor training was held at the new Care Center on Saturday, July 29th. Care Coordinator, Travonda Davenport, co-led the training with me. Volunteers attending the training were Amy Pfeffer, Sarah Cho, Emily Jiran, Kera Widmer, Dana Hardy, Colleen Locke, Danielle Daniel, Alicia Ludwig, Nancy Mowry, Christy Griggs, and Sarah Gross. In order to qualify to be a mentor for a human trafficking survivor, a candidate must have been an active volunteer for at least three months, completed all volunteer paperwork, and have completed and passed a background check.
All moves require some work and our recent move into our new Care Center has been no exception. As we have had to remove carpet and re-locate furniture in order to accommodate needed re-flooring of the facility, volunteers have stepped forward and offered to help. Virginia Hendrick, Melanie Davenport, Katie Sweeney, Joann Dillbeck, Emily Willmore, Jessica Skeesick, Richard Rutter, our new COO Chris Lim, and his family, as well as members of the Village Chapel, gave their time and energy to help us move furniture and tear up carpet. We could not have done any of this without them.
And as the volunteer submissions continue to flow at an amazing rate, volunteer office workers have been on hand to help the process run smoothly. I could not do any of this work without the help of Cara Allison, Amie Hassler, Joann Dillbeck, and Kendall Johnson.
As I reflect on all of our accomplishments, and the continuing growth of our organization and its reputation throughout the state, I realize the power of compassion and the desire to help others. It’s such an amazing gift in these turbulent times. I truly cannot wait to see what our future holds.
God bless all of you!
Stay tuned …