BY IEC STAFF
In recent years, the IEC Foundation has been intentional about supporting local communities by initiating a service project during the annual SPARK event. For 2024, a number of circumstances collided to make its project clear — to take action and do its part to help the fight against child sex trafficking.
Foundation staff first became aware of the extent of the problem of human trafficking through its local Rotary International club, Turtle Creek Satellite Rotary Club, District 7305. Club President Dee Lanier lost her great niece Kamarie to this horrific crime.
“We want to raise awareness about the horrors of human trafficking and educate the community on how to combat it,” says Dee. “This work is inspired by personal experiences of Rotary Club members who have been impacted by human trafficking. I lost my great niece Kamarie, and my hope is to make more people aware of the signs so they can help prevent sex trafficking. We want to bring attention to this critical issue and build strong partnerships with local organizations, enhancing efforts to combat human trafficking across the nation and make communities safer for all residents.”
Then, tragedy struck a member of the IEC family at IEC Florida West Coast.
“Our instructor lost his daughter Zoey to this terrible crime, and we continue to stand with his family,” says Natasha Sherwood, executive director of IEC Florida West Coast.
As the IEC Florida West Coast chapter is located in the site for SPARK 2024: The Electrician’s Expo, the IEC Foundation’s Zoey’s Hands of Hope project was born.
“We are proud to work with the local IEC Florida West Coast chapter, Tampa’s nonprofit Bridging Freedom, Hope Children’s Home, the Rotary, and others invested in this cause by raising money, donating time, and elevating awareness to help end the abhorrent crime of child sex-trafficking,” says Tom Alexander, Atkins & Stang and IECF chairman. “Although our onsite volunteer activity was thwarted by the cancellation of SPARK due to Hurricane Milton, our efforts to provide financial support and fuel awareness moves forward.”
Bridging Freedom is a therapeutic safe home campus that provides long-term, comprehensive survivor care for victims of child sex-trafficking, helping children to stabilize, trust again, heal emotionally and physically, and adjust to being kids again. Foundation funds went to purchase four water heaters and two air conditioners and air handlers with furnace parts for installation.
The SPARK volunteer day was planned at another local organization that helps kids, Hope Children’s Home in Tampa. Hope Children’s Home cares for neglected, abandoned, and abused children — loving them and equipping them for the future. Even though Foundation volunteers were unable to join as planned, it provided a fun meal for residents, cottage parents, and staff to enjoy together, as well as sending numerous outdoor games for residents to enjoy.
This meal was held later than expected on November 1, as Hope Children’s Home suffered about $110,000 worth of damage, loss of power, and hours of cleanup as 30 trees fell and its main entrance flooded as a result of Hurricane Milton. Program Director Isaac Foster is thankful that no one was hurt and realizes it could have been a lot worse. The Foundation also helped connect Isaac with local volunteers and heavy equipment.
The final piece of support for Hope Children’s Home takes into account the individual residents.
“The children each have prayer boards in their cottages where they identify a personal ‘wish’ list,” explains Foundation Executive Director LaNa Al-Amin. “We purchased small items from their lists and packaged gifts for each child to receive. It is just one way we can help them understand they are heard, they matter, and they are loved.”
Two other organizations received funds from Foundation fundraising.
Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center: a coordinator and service provider for victims, survivors, and those who are at-risk of human trafficking. Its two main goals are to empower survivors of both sex and labor trafficking and to educate our community and the community at large about the realities of human trafficking. The organization works with local, state, and federal agencies and social service providers to help identify and support victims of sex and labor trafficking.
“Our website is rich with information on how to get help if you are a victim or survivor and describes a range of resources for everyone in the community,” says Robin Hassler Thompson, STAC executive director. “We even have a podcast called Imagine Freedom where we speak only with survivors — the true experts — who teach us how we can understand survivors’ realities and prevent this horrific harm from reaching others. STAC works with and hires survivors of trafficking to inform our work; they provide a foundation so we can continue to grow and be truly survivor centered.”
Justice Restoration Center: provides trauma-informed restorative pro bono legal services and advocacy for survivors of human trafficking, as well as advocates on trafficking-related legislation and policy matters. The Justice Restoration Center features an alliance of legal professionals who provide free legal services for survivors, along with volunteer professionals, such as physicians, dentists, therapists, accountants, and others who are willing to assist at little or no cost to the survivor.
The Foundation is extremely grateful to sponsors and individual members who already have stepped up to support this cause. A grant the Foundation received from the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery helped with training. IECF continues to collect and provide funds and welcomes donations here.
Zoey’s Hands of Hope serves as a symbol of remembrance and resilience, offering healing, support, and recovery assistance.
You Can Support these Efforts
IECF continues to collect funds to serve these children. If you are able, please make a donation today!