The month of January has been proclaimed to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month by our President, our Governor and our Mayor. As a member of “Newton Says No To Human Trafficking,” on behalf of all our members, I would like to say thank you to our community. From our beginning in 2014, you have helped us honor our mission statement which says “Our purpose is to raise community awareness and to enhance citizen safety through education efforts and collaborative partnerships with local and state resources.” Newton and Jasper County have opened its eyes and ears to education about human trafficking and education creates awareness. We are supported by law enforcement, healthcare and social workers, clergy, local politicians, teachers, business owners, parents and students. We have been successful in educating many groups and individuals, the list is long. We have received donations, some anonymous and being a nonprofit organization, we use the money for promotion i.e., posters, pamphlets, brochures, newspaper articles, T-shirts and lawn signs. Two of our proudest accomplishments are the showing of the movie “Gridlock,” about human trafficking in Iowa at our local Newton theater and providing education about human trafficking to the middle school health classes. I am proud of what Newton is doing and I want to thank each and every person who has listened to a presentation, looked at our displays, taken our pamphlets and flyers, educated a friend, donated money, made a call to authorities, attended the movie, bought a T-shirt or put up a yard sign. We couldn’t do it without you and remember “Awareness is the key.”
If you see something, say something.
Judy Manusos
Newton Says No To
Human Trafficking
committee member