The Inaugural Post

Greetings,

I'd like to thank you for visiting the brand new North Jersey Vineyard Love146 Task Force Blog. We task force members are hoping we can use this blog in the coming months and years to keep our readers abreast of upcoming events and trafficking news, share resources, and much much more. Please do stay tuned and bookmark us. But first, let us introduce ourselves and Love146.

Child sex trafficking is one of worst human rights abuse issues of our day. In 2006, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said they believed that 1.2 million children are trafficked annually. It is estimated that two children are sold every minute. Think about that . . . every minute. Even while you are safely sleeping in the comfort of your home, two children are being robbed of their innocence . . . every minute. Parents are losing their children . . . every minute. Children are losing hope and their futures . . . every minute. Isn't there some way to stop it? When the problem is global, not just in one state or country, can it be stopped? Is there a way to rescue these children? If they are rescued, can they ever have a full life after all they've endured? Well . . . we believe it is possible.

"In September 2002, Love146 Co-Founders Rob Morris, Lamont Hiebert, Desirea Rodgers and Caroline Hahm went on an exploratory trip to SE Asia to determine how they could serve in the fight against child sex trafficking. In brothels they saw young children being sold for sex. In safehomes they witnessed the miracle of restoration as they sang and danced with survivors. The goal of this and subsequent trips was not to “reinvent the wheel” but to find out where the greatest needs were and how they could be most helpful in filling those needs. After 18 months of research, networking and other foundational work, Love146 became an official Public Charity in March of 2004 under the name of Justice for Children Intl. In October 2007, JFCI became known as "Love146"." - taken from Love146.org

Love146 is one of many organizations working to end child sex trafficking. Love146 is dedicated to the prevention of trafficking and aftercare for trafficking survivors. Although there are organizations out there that focus on the rescue of trafficked children, Love146 does not do rescues. Currently, Love146 has prevention programs in Southeast Asia and in the USA and a safe home is being built in Southeast Asia. For more information on these programs, please visit http://www.love146.org.



The North Jersey Vineyard Love146 Task Force was started in 2008 after hearing a speaker from Love146 at the North Jersey Vineyard Church. We are dedicated to raising awareness about child sex trafficking and raising funds to help with Love146's programs. We have already hosted a benefit concert at the North Jersey Vineyard Church which grabbed the attention of The Bergen Record, The Leader, and the South Bergenite. We're currently planning more events, so please bookmark us and stay tuned!