EMMAUS

Emmaus Ministries is happy to announce the hiring of Jim Tidaback as their new Development Director. Jim is truly honored to be a part of the team at Emmaus, and is committed to its mission and vision. His dedication to Christ, service, and his knowledge of fundraising make Jim a great addition to the team as Emmaus looks towards the future.

While at non-profits such as United Cerebral Palsy, the Catholic Diocese of Joliet, and the United Way, Jim has had great success building relationships, stewarding gifts, developing programs and events, as well as delivering presentations in order to further the mission of those organizations. Jim has also been a consultant assisting Catholic churches and dioceses in all aspects of fundraising and stewardship, including increasing offertory and capital campaigns.

Jim is excited to use his skills and experience in the continued growth and development of Emmaus. He states that, “Emmaus is the best-kept secret in town,” and looks forward to sharing the many success stories of our alumni and survivors.

Jim holds a BS from Eastern Illinois University and a MA in Education from Aurora University. Jim and his wife of 35 years reside in Plainfield, Illinois. They have two adult children and one grandson who is the love of their lives. While not working or chasing his grandson, Jim enjoys golf, playing guitar, dining out, and relaxing on the patio with a good cigar.

We'd like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Rose Petal Project for their donation and support!

Thank you so much for your continued support! We're excited for future opportunities to make an impact in ending exploitation and we hope that you will be there alongside us. To donate, please visit https://streets.org/give-online/

Every story is a collective effort and your support is a necessary component to each success. Our fiscal year ends on June 30th. Please donate at streets.org to continue the fight to end exploitation!

Our Case Managers, like Lizbeth, are on the front lines every day, providing essential support and guidance to our clients. They build trust, offer hope, and help navigate the complex journey from trauma to healing. Without their expertise, compassion, and tireless dedication, we could not fulfill our mission.

As we approach the end of our fiscal year, we need your continued support to sustain our programs and honor the hard work of our team. Your donation helps us maintain the essential services that our dedicated staff provides to those in need. Please visit streets.org/give-online/ to donate today.

Exploitation is a multi-faceted issue that attacks all aspects of a person's life. EMMAUS' success at fighting trafficking through a personal and trauma-informed approach would not be possible without your continued support, for which we are tremendously grateful. This is just a snapshot of what we've been able to accomplish over the last year. Please visit streets.org to contribute today so that we can continue making a difference in people's lives!

The heart of EMMAUS is the people we serve, and we'd like to invite you to be a part of their story. We are extremely grateful for your continued support in ending exploitation for mankind and all of our work would not be possible without our donors, volunteers, and dedicated staff. Your contributions go toward providing a secure and supportive environment for survivors to heal and rebuild through our Rapid Rehousing Program, as well as a safe place for our men and boys to ask tough questions, read scripture, and be surrounded by a spiritual community. Additionally, your support equips survivors with skills and opportunities to achieve independence, and ensures survivors have access to the mental health support they need. Please visit streets.org to contribute today!

Today, on Human Trafficking Awareness Day, we think about the countless lives affected by this heinous crime. Dating back centuries, human trafficking has plagued societies worldwide, exploiting the vulnerable for various purposes. From historical forms like the transatlantic slave trade to modern-day forced labor and s*x trafficking, the fight for freedom continues.

Together, we can raise awareness, educate communities, and advocate for policies that combat human trafficking. Share this post to spread awareness, and let's collectively strive for a world where every person is free and safe.

Throughout this month, we want to challenge you to be a part of the change! Check out some ways you can be more inclusive to male survivors when learning about and discussing human trafficking.

When you think of trafficking, what comes to mind?

Last year, EMMAUS' outreach staff went to a Chicago University campus to ask students passing by to answer this question. The answers varied from observations about poverty and society to who they believe the issue affected.

The truth is, there is no right or wrong answer. The exercise just helped show some of the common beliefs about human trafficking. For Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we want to discuss these commonly accepted beliefs and shine a light on those who may be less widely acknowledged. More specifically, we want to advocate for males so often left out of the narratives surrounding exploitation and help share the realities of the population we serve.

We are excited to share and learn together this month to strengthen our understanding and fight to end exploitation for all mankind.

Join us in learning more this Human Trafficking Prevention Month!

We are overflowing with inspiration after attending the Blue Impact Grantee breakfast hosted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois recently. Meeting fellow grantees and sharing ideas was incredibly motivating. We're all here because we believe in the power of community and the impact we can make. A heartfelt thank you to BCBSIL for fostering this environment of collaboration. Together, we're turning dreams of a healthier, happier community into reality!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Human trafficking and domestic violence are intricately interwoven. The context of domestic abuse often serves as a breeding ground for trafficking and exploitation. Within the realm of domestic violence, individuals can endure physical, emotional, or economic abuse within their homes, leading to isolation, fear, and a profound sense of powerlessness. The methods employed and vulnerabilities exposed in these cases closely parallel the experiences of human trafficking survivors. Traffickers deploy various tactics, including manipulation, threats, and false promises of a better life, to trap their victims into forced labor and exploitative situations. For those who have experienced domestic violence and are caught in the cycle of abuse, there is a significant risk of being pushed into the world of trafficking, as exploiters are acutely aware of how they can take advantage of those already vulnerable.

Distinguishing between these two forms of violence can be challenging, especially in instances of involuntary servitude, cases when traffickers employ deceitful affection to manipulate, or when trafficking occurs within family units.

We advocate for a safe space where survivors can navigate their intricate journeys and ask for comprehensive services available to all survivors of gender-based violence.

Yesterday, our Executive Director Joel Mitchell, D. Min, and Director of Development Claire Kniowski had the privilege of speaking with Everlasting Love's host Barbara K. at CAN-TV. With the spotlight on human trafficking in the media recently, they further highlighted the importance of including men and boys in this conversation. We look forward to seeing the final interview soon!

To learn more, visit our website link in our bio!

EMMAUS seeks to narrow the gap in services for male victims, empower male survivors, amplify their voices, and foster a movement to fight trafficking and exploitation for ALL mankind. We are one organization, but together we can make a difference. Join the fight today!

SAVE YOUR SEAT: 13th Annual Cook County Human Trafficking Conference. https://CCHTTF2023.rsvpify.com We are thrilled to announce we will be returning to in-person with the 2023 conference. Space is limited, register today!

Recently, our Executive Director, Joel Mitchell, D.Min, was a guest speaker on the CAN TV segment Black Star Still Rising with Othel Owens. Joel speaks passionately on the plight that is s*x trafficking here in Chicago and how EMMAUS works to provide healing to male victims and survivors.

Learn more today!

Black Star Still Rising This agency discusses developments and people in Chicago.

Myth: Human trafficking requires that the victim traveled across state lines or international borders. Human trafficking often confused with human smuggling, but while the crime of human smugglning requires a person cross a border illegally, human trafficking does not have to involve any movement at all. In fact, victims can be recruited into trafficking in their own towns or homes.
Understanding human trafficking is critical to ending it. Learn more about common human trafficking myths: https://polarisproject.org/myths-facts-and-statistics/

Happy Easter from EMMAUS

Easter is a significant time for us as Christians, as it is a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and God's gift of eternal life with Him. What a joyous day, indeed!

Join us in August for the13th Annual Cook County Human Trafficking Conference!
This year will feature presentations that build on our theme: "Progressing Forward: Equitable Considerations for Combatting Human Trafficking".

Speaker proposal request forms can be found at https://www.cookcountytaskforce.org/2023-conference.html

Today is the last day of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and we wanted to close with a few quick stats. Taken from a recent study by The Polaris Project, these statistics begin to touch on the magnitude of the problem of Human Trafficking.

Sign up for our newsletter (link in bio) to stay connected and up-to-date on how EMMAUS continues fighting trafficking and exploitation.

Come see us at the Winter Involvement Fair at University of Illinois Chicago today until 2pm!

EMMAUS is currently looking for student interns, and always looking for volunteers to come help in our Drop-In Center.

UIC Center for Student Involvement

One week is left in Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and we wanted to share 15 ways YOU can fight trafficking and exploitation.

Everyone can make a difference. Join the fight for freedom today.

Recently, our Executive Director, Joel Mitchell, D.Min, and Director of Development, Claire Kniowski, spoke to graduate students at the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College. This course focuses on understanding issues of human trafficking and gender-based violence and the programs that nonprofit organizations operate to respond to these issues.

EMMAUS has a unique view on these issues, as we are one of the few organizations working specifically with male survivors of trafficking and exploitation. To learn more, visit us at streets.org!

Everyone can help in the fight against human trafficking! The more people who know what to look for, the more people will be saved from this terrible crime.

Though these are not all-encompassing indicators of s*x trafficking, here are a few common red flags signaling someone could be in trouble. Please share these signs and questions as we continue through Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

January 11th is recognized as National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. Communities around the country wear blue to help raise awareness and encourage others to help prevent trafficking.

EMMAUS fights trafficking and exploitation through prevention and education, providing survivors with support services, and reinvesting in our male survivors.

Give the gift of hope and join the fight today! Link in bio.

As we bring awareness to Human Trafficking this month, we want to return to the basics. What is Human Trafficking, and more specifically, what is S*x Trafficking? The definitions may not be what you expect!

Join us as we go through definitions, key points, questions to ask, and how you can fight to prevent trafficking and exploitation!

Join us this month to learn more about trafficking and exploitation and how you can be part of the solution!

Link in bio.

We celebrated the birth of our Savior with our clients a few days early this year. A beautiful Christmas tree was put up to decorate the Survivor Support Center, and festivities followed! An incredibly generous couple brought in Christmas treats, everyone decorated ornaments and played games, and we had a meal altogether to finish off the evening. It was a joyous celebration!

Our clients received gifts as they headed out the door, and together we remember the true meaning of Christmas- that God sent us the most precious gift: his only Son. The time spent together allowed us to pause and give thanks for the love, hope, joy, and salvation found in Jesus.

“For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Your EMMAUS Team

Today is the day!

Join us this in supporting male victims of s*x trafficking and exploitation. YOU can be the difference today!

Happy Thanksgiving from EMMAUS!

We are grateful for you and all your support over the past year. This work could not be done without you.