July: Ending Human Trafficking
Listen as a podcast!
How can we help those we cannot see? How does one empower those who are in chains? Human trafficking, as far-reaching and insidious as a global pandemic, knows no boundaries—whether by online home invasions or physical coercions dressed as dreams.
Panelists: Bailey, Angela M. Aufdemberge, Sister Ann Oestreich, IHM – Learn more about our panelists below.
Host: Charish Badzinski
ACTION ITEMS
- Monitor the cell phones and social media accounts of your children.
- Support survivors of human trafficking through mentorship, friendship, or by writing notes of encouragement.
- Know the signs of human trafficking.
RESOURCES
National Human Trafficking Hotline
If you or someone you know needs assistance, call or text the anonymous National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Call: 1-888-373-7888 | Text: “BeFree” to 233733
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
https://ncmec.org
As the nation’s nonprofit clearinghouse and comprehensive reporting center for all issues related to the prevention of and recovery from child victimization, NCMEC leads the fight against abduction, abuse, and exploitation – because every child deserves a safe childhood.
National Human Trafficking Resource Center
https://polarisproject.org
Polaris responds to sex and labor trafficking as they happen, learn from that response, and share that learning. They use what they learned to pilot big, new ideas for slowly, carefully, finally, dismantling big, old systems that make trafficking possible.
Slavery Footprint Made in a Free World
https://slaveryfootprint.org
Use this resource to discover how you are unconsciously supporting human trafficking.
US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking
https://sistersagainsttrafficking.org
U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (USCSAHT) is a collaborative, faith-based national network that offers education, supports access to survivor services, and engages in advocacy to eradicate modern-day slavery. They work to inform the public, prevent this assault on human dignity, and assist survivors to live fulfilling lives. Members include 100+ congregations of Catholic Sisters, coalitions working against human trafficking and individuals who share the mission.
Vista Maria
https://vistamaria.org
Vista Maria is a place of healing for survivors of human trafficking. They provide a full continuum of care to address the unique needs of young trafficking survivors — from our residential services, to health and wellness, and foster care when appropriate.
Meet Our Panelists
Bailey
Survivor, Advocate
A former client of Vista Maria, a nonprofit serving vulnerable children and families in Michigan, Bailey is now a 22-year-old advocate for young people. Bailey was one of the first young women in Vista Maria’s WINGS program, which helps human trafficking survivors. She then moved to Vista Maria’s Shepherd Hall Transitional Living program to learn independent living skills and work on her relationship with her grandparents.
Now a graduate of Michigan’s Women Who Weld program, Bailey is a full-time welder who lives independently in her own home and reports a strong connection with her grandparents. She credits Vista Maria with helping her by providing never-ending support. “They have always been there for me—helping me find my first job and being there emotionally when I found that college wasn’t for me,” she says.
Angela M. Aufdemberge
President, CEO
Vista Maria
Angela Aufdemberge is president and CEO of Vista Maria, the oldest, longest standing nonprofit serving vulnerable children and families in Michigan.
Under her leadership, Vista Maria has experienced accelerated growth and expansion. She is the driving force behind the successful development of a continuum of care for children up to age 24. One of the most significant expansions is the addition of trauma informed emergency, stabilization and reintegration programming for adolescent survivors of human trafficking.
As an advocate for children, Angela regularly provides briefings on sexual exploitation, aging out of ‘the system’ and other barriers youth face. A recent Eugene Miller Fellow, Angela studied best practices as well as the need to improve legislation to disrupt patterns of sexual exploitation.
Aufdemberge serves as board chair of InSight Youth and Family Connections and executive leader of the Child Welfare Partnership Council for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Sister Ann Oestrich, IHM
Sister, Educator, Justice Advocate
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sister Ann Oestreich, IHM, a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, Michigan, has served in education, communications and social justice ministries. She was executive director of the Center for Justice in Buffalo, New York, and the justice coordinator for the Sisters of the Holy Cross in South Bend, Indiana. She also served as communications director for the Monroe IHM Congregation and national coordinator of the National Catholic Sisters Project. She now works with A Nun’s Life Ministry as a podcast consultant and content developer.
Sister Ann has extensive board experience, including service on the boards of the Africa Faith and Justice Network, Jubilee USA Network and the charitable trust board of the Sisters of Mercy, Detroit Regional Community. She currently serves on the boards of directors for Friends in Solidarity and Sisters Rising Worldwide, and as board president of U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking. Sister Ann also is the North American representative on the Talitha Kum International Coordination Committee.
Exploring Intersections 
Thanks for this program. I was unable to make it during the active session. Know that a 25 person group (Madison WI) which met on line to study the Oct 2020 encyclical had exactly the same feelings, about the US Catholic church, as your panel! During our sessions, we felt simultaneously cautious & frustrated about mentioning our feelings in the group. It was so enlightening to hear your perspectives & thoughts! Our frustration with lack of action by the church has led to our planning future monthly meetings after our 8 weekly sessions. Now, we have something to help us move forward. Thank you, thank you!
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