In this report, we reflect on the services provided in 2017, mission pursued, and prayers answered. The leadership vision we pursued was to reclaim people from human trafficking and exploitation, with a focus on improving services, developing a stronger team through education, expanding community awareness, and cultivating more partnerships. We strove to meet these goals through team development, increased community engagement, prayer, networking, committing to outreaches, and supporting other organizations.
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Experiencing Abolition in 2017
What started in 2014 with two people meeting at a coffee shop in Springfield, MO has grown to 45 active team members, multi-state networks, effective partnerships, and developing programs that have grown deeper roots each year. Thanks to the many people who gave of their resources, time, and talents, the results in 2017 have met and exceeded every expectation.
2017 - A Year of Saying Yes
Yes to education. Yes to victims. Yes to the community. Yes to those who were abandoned. Yes to those who were bought and sold. Yes to another Liberty Conference, to launch more abolitionists.
Education & Awareness Engagement
2,600 people received human trafficking education
883 youth received human trafficking prevention services
Thank you for inviting us to present...
- Green County Health Department
-College of the Ozarks, Chi Alpha Chapter
- Springfield WIC Department
- Rare Breed (twice!)
- CASA of Southwest Missouri
- Grace Church
- Springfield School Counselors
- The Way Church
- Evangel University
- MSU Criminal Justice Department
- Tri-County Baptist Association
- LifePoint Church Youth Group
- Hub of Hope of NW Arkansas
- Concerned Women for America, Marshfield, MO Chapter
- High Street Baptist Church
- MSU Psychology Club
- Boulevard Baptist Church
- Embassy of Hope
- Soul Quench Youth Camp
- Salisbury First Baptist Church
- National Heights Baptist Church
- Cedar Gap Baptist Church
- Springfield Pregnancy Care Center
- Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Springfield
- Dayspring Church
- Nixa High School
- Monett Middle School
- Diggins Baptist Church, youth group
- Calvary Chapel Church of Springfield
We know that education fuels rescue, and we are deeply grateful for individuals, churches, and businesses who financially support our education services, as well as those who invite us to present human trafficking information and training. Education begins with a gift and ends in freedom. Our education services covered:
-human trafficking 101 training
- trauma informed care for human trafficking survivors
- medical intervention
- youth prevention services
- trafficking of juveniles
- cyber trafficking
- entry points of commercial sexual exploitation
- cultural issues overlapping with human trafficking and prostitution
-church mobilization
- crisis response
- the impact of prostitution
- restoration care for victimized individuals
Supplemental advocacy and increasing human trafficking education also was accomplished through the following in 2017: letter writing to government agencies and decision makers, meeting with government officials, gathering with advocates across Missouri, participating in coalition meetings with the U.S. Attorney's Office, hosting community workshops, and hosting the annual Liberty Conference to train, support, and launch more advocates and justice workers.
A New Publication: 2017 saw the release of a new GO:61 original publication, a 41 page booklet designed to inform, empower, and support individuals as they begin their abolition journey. The booklet covers human trafficking 101, traumatic pasts of victims, the myth of choice, community engagement, entry points of trafficking, and assistance on taking a humble, Christ-centered approach to the issue. Email info@go61.org to order your $12 copy of this advocacy booklet.
Conversations abound concerning the best approach to eradicating human trafficking. This booklet provides a practical, sustainable approach to making a difference in a tangible way. But beyond the practicality of the book, it comes from the fruitful experience of an effective activist. If you are interested in moving beyond the conversation to action, this booklet is a must. Read it today!
Dr. Adam McClendon, Liberty University DMin Director, Founder and Director of New Line Ministries
“We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” ― Elie Wiesel
Serving Those Impacted and Those at Risk
18 girls and women impacted by human trafficking and exploitation were served
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Services for victims and survivors include direct and indirect services. In 2017, we provided food, clothing, transportation, crisis response, support groups, medical care, court advocacy, parenting coaching, mentoring, referrals, and legal advocacy for females in the SW and Central Missouri areas. These people fall into categories of individuals who have been trafficked, exploited through prostitution, or who have faced sexual assault and abandonment.
Initial Interaction with Victims: Our initial interaction with victims in 2017 came in the form of referrals from the following: FBI, community law enforcement, ER nurses, social service workers, victims self-reporting, family members of victims reporting, and community members reporting.
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334 people in dangerous and high-risk situations were served
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People in high-risk situations were identified through city investigations, incoming reports, and motel outreaches. Direct services to high-risk people in 2017 included providing care bags of groceries and hygiene items, blessing bags for panhandlers (complete with an 8 page list of local resources), prayer partners, church and local service referrals, and relationship-building. Of the people served in high-risk situations, the demographics included men, women, and children. These individuals were either in homeless settings, transient living conditions, or residents of motels in high-crime areas. Our team has identified numerous people on outreaches who have been victims of physical abuse, sexual assault, prostitution, and those who are at-risk for labor and sex trafficking. Offering these individuals tangible care and resources has been a primary function of the outreach program.
Specific outreaches to females trapped in prostitution included distribution of purses filled with female essentials, prayer cards, and safety cards. It is our mission in interacting with individuals in sexual exploitation to provide love, non-judgmental care, and education on their right to be free from abuse and from being commodified.
Refuge Use
The GO:61 Refuge is a donated space provided to the organization to offer team training and development, and victim services.
In 2017, 236 people used the Refuge for a total of 1,206 hours.
The Refuge was used by law enforcement for victim reports, federal victim specialists, community pastors and advocates, ministry teams, out-of-state agencies, individuals going through volunteer training, college missionaries serving over spring break, and by victims who received meals, case management, and survivor support.
With a lot of prayer and fellowship, and cultivating a familial atmosphere, the burden of injustice transforms to the joy of pursuing freedom. In the face of trauma and deep tragedies, we've seen our small band of warriors let their love of life bubble over to the people they serve. We're grateful for the opportunity to unite at the Refuge to train, serve, and build relationships.
Team Development & Service Improvement
18 volunteer training classes were hosted with 76 people attending
26 advanced education & team meetings were provided
30 days of prayer meetings were held
A handful of team members met on Wednesdays throughout the year to pray for specific issues regarding human trafficking. We prayed for increased identification of victims, more community response, victims to begin self-reporting, other agencies taking up counter-trafficking measures, local law enforcement, for our financial partners, team members to be anointed with boldness and wisdom, and for more awareness. Throughout the year, major human trafficking raids occurred in the city we prayed for (Springfield), more victims self-reported, more community members engaged, and more team members took on new roles and responsibilities. We believe prayer combined with action is the foundation to bring about a powerful change.
4 interns provided a combined total of 18 weeks of service
1 intern from Kansas State, 2 interns from MSU, and 1 intern from Glendale High School
The college interns contributed to admin service, educational support, and outreach support. The high school intern partnered with 20 students and a teacher to create an awareness video about human trafficking.
A special thank-you to the Glendale High School Capstone teachers (photo below of teachers, intern, Madi Allman, and student film producer, Julia Weber) who provided valuable support and participation in helping the intern get the video to completion. With 50,000 views to date, it has been a great awareness tool! More gratitude is extended to the many students and Glendale High parents who contributed multiple hours of work to make this video possible.
An additional special thank-you to the MSU Criminal Justice Department for a great partnership with interns and for helpful relationship-building activities.
Team Progress & Achievement
The speakers team added 3 new advocates providing professional teaching and advocacy to schools, churches, social service agencies, and other organizations
A Southeast Missouri GO:61 chapter was initiated in the Dexter/Sikeston area
A victim-centered philosophy statement was developed as a part of striving toward best practices for victim services
A data tracking and multi-tier service system was developed to improve data collection, service tracking, and to categorize requests for help and human trafficking reports
A specialized website for team members was created to provide online orientation, improved support, and educational tools for volunteers
Legislation advocacy has been pursued in partnership with a former MO state representative and Shared Hope International to strive to reform legislation to better protect child trafficking victims
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Providing Agency Support & Collaboration
This year, we said yes to other agencies. Yes to collaboration for victims, yes to providing training, and yes in assisting with organizational support and development for other NGOs.
19 agencies were collaborated with in 2017 for victim services, human trafficking education, and legislation reform
1 website was developed free-of-charge for an out-of-state counter-trafficking non-profit
1 agency was provided free-of-charge extensive consultation on developing organizational measuring tools and data collection systems
7 government agencies or non-profits were provided free human trafficking training
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. - Hebrews 10:24
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The 2017 Liberty Conference
70 people attended the 3rd annual Liberty Conference
14 sponsors supported the Liberty Conference
8 hours of human trafficking education were provided by speakers from GO:61, International Justice Mission, Liberty University, Exodus Cry, and Hub of Hope
Core causes of human trafficking and prostitution were addressed
Victim services were expanded on
Biblical justice education was provided
Culture issues were discussed and taught to foster a nucleus change
Worship and prayer undergirded practical teaching and efforts
A very special thank-you to Link Union band for providing music and worship at the Liberty Conference. A heartfelt thank you to all the GO:61 team members who worked at the conference, the speakers, attendees, and the sponsors who made it possible. Thank you, Andrew Lewis, for producing video content of the event.
Sponsor the 2018 Liberty Conference
Options for bronze ($100), silver ($250), gold ($450), and platinum ($1,500) sponsorships are available. Email info@go61.org if you'd like to be a sponsor at the fall 2018 conference!
Watch a recap video to see what attendees had to say about their 2017 Liberty Conference experience.
Eric Olson joined GO:61 as a board member in 2016. Hear what he had to say about this year's conference.
2017 Service Summary
We enjoyed meeting needs of people impacted by human trafficking, delving deeper into education of sexual exploitation, and training more abolitionists. This year, with all our hearts, we believe we have seen and experienced Christ at work to break down strongholds and to pave the path for freedom and lasting change. He is our one true Hope and the reason for every effort we put forth. To every success, we give our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus, the glory, the praise, and the expectation for an increase in restorative justice.
Please accept our deepest appreciation and joy for your giving of time, resources, and talents to partner with us to reclaim people from human trafficking and exploitation. A cord of many strands is not easily broken.
2018 Vision and Planning
We Will Continue...
✅Victim services✅Outreaches✅Education ✅Collaborations ✅ Team training
✅Meeting to pray ✅Gathering together as abolitionists ✅Developing best practices
We Will Strive To Create...
✅Regular support groups in Greene and Taney Counties for individuals impacted by human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and violence
✅A two-week crisis response program for victims to promote stabilization, increased safety, and victim rights education
✅More opportunities for community members to become involved in the abolition movement on diverse levels
✅Expanded victim services for non-local victims through online help assistance
✅Greater education and personal advancement opportunities for team members as they pursue excellence in abolition, victim services, and teaching
✅More partnerships with businesses, other agencies, and churches to push the needle of justice forward
✅ Additional educational material to expand awareness and train more advocates
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It's all possible because of YOU!!
Thank YOU! We are grateful for every person and every dollar provided to support our mission to reclaim people from human trafficking and exploitation. Together, we'll look forward to 2018 with excitement and anticipation. Every moment of freedom begins with a gift. Will you make that gift today? You can do so here.
The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it. - Mother Teresa
We'd say that's true about every God-given calling. Thank you for joining us in this mission.
GO:61, Inc
2733 E. Battlefield Rd. #257
Springfield, MO 65804
General inquiry: info@go61.org
Contact the executive director, Casey Alvarez: Casey@go61.org
Board Members
Luis Alvarez - tech industry
Seth Shelton - pastor
Eric Olson - writer/editor
Jerry Gardner - banking
GO:61 Mission
The mission of the organization is based on the Scripture Isaiah 61.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion--
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61: 1-3
Thank you to the following for supporting GO:61, along with the countless other individuals and entities...
The Way Church
Springhill Baptist Church
CoxSouth Surgical Services
Diggins Baptist Church
Dayspring Church
Boulevard Baptist Church
Grace Church
LifeChanger Press
Old Missouri Bank
Calvary Christian Assembly
High Street Baptist Church
Link Union
Christian Home Fellowship
First Baptist Church of Salisbury, MO
Aaron Clark Photography
All of you listed and unlisted have our hearts, and our sincere thanks. We pray for our contributors regularly, and we look forward to continued partnerships. We'll strive to make each gift have the greatest impact possible.
