Submitted by Tharros Place
Dec. 20, 2024 – Tharros Place, a nonprofit providing residential services for girls ages 12 to 17 who are survivors of human trafficking, recently announced a series of local events in January for National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Each year since 2010, the President has dedicated the month of January to raise awareness about human trafficking and to educate the public about how to identify and prevent this crime.
“Unless you’ve been actively involved in anti-trafficking organizations, those two words were probably not a part of your lexicon five or 10 years ago. Human trafficking – also known as modern slavery – is defined as the exploitation of another person for sex, labor, or services. It is one of the most misunderstood social justice issues of our time and is often misrepresented in movies, books, and yes, the news,” said Julie Wade, Executive Director of Tharros Place. “That is why we are proud to be presenting a series of events to raise awareness about the realities of this issue.”
Several local businesses are featuring specialty beverages to highlight Human Trafficking Awareness Month, including Courage Coffee (Java Burrito), Courage Cocktail (Oak 36 Bar + Kitchen), and Courage Blend Coffee Bag (Three Tree Coffee at the Porch). A percentage of the proceeds from these items will be donated to Tharros Place during the month of January.
Other events include:
January 6
Pooler City Council Meeting
6 p.m.
Members of the Pooler City Council will present a proclamation to Tharros Place in honor of its work and in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
January 7, 14, 21, and 28
Tacos for a Cause
Bull Street Taco
Join Bull Street Taco Tuesdays in January in support of Tharros Place, a nonprofit providing residential services for girls ages 12 to 17 who are survivors of human trafficking.
January 8
7 p.m.
Enmarket Arena
A portion of the proceeds from this game go to support the efforts of Tharros Place. Purchase tickets at https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Tharrosplace2.
January 9
Tybee City Council Meeting
6:30 p.m.
Members of the Tybee City Council will present a proclamation to Tharros Place in honor of its work and in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
January 9
12 noon
Online
This webinar will focus on parents so they can learn about the warning signs of human trafficking, what they can do to prevent it, and how to report it. The webinar may be accessed at bit.ly/3VOhuCm.
January 10
Chatham County Council Meeting
9:30 a.m.
Members of the Chatham County Council will present a proclamation to Tharros Place in honor of its work and in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
January 11
Wear Blue Day
The color blue is internationally recognized as the symbol for human trafficking awareness, with the “Blue Heart Campaign” led by the United Nations serving as the primary reason for this association. Wearing blue represents solidarity with survivors and a commitment to combat human trafficking. Post pictures of yourself wearing blue, tag Tharros Place, and use the hashtags #WearBlueDay and #TharrosPlace in your social media posts.
January 9
12 noon
Online
This webinar will focus on members of the community so they can learn about the warning signs of human trafficking, what they can do to prevent it, and how to report it. The webinar may be accessed at bit.ly/3VOhuCm.
January 18
9 a.m.
Forsyth Park
The Tharros Place team will be on hand at the Forsyth Farmers Market to help the public recognize the signs of human trafficking and how they can prevent it.
January 24
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Cohen’s Retreat
Join Tharros Place for its third annual fundraising event, Cocktails for Courage, which raises money for its residential facility opened in fall 2023. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, a signature cocktail, live music, and a silent auction. Raffle tickets may also be purchased for diamond earrings.
January 24-25
8 a.m.
Savannah State University, Student Union Building
The Savannah Interagency Diversity Council presents its 10th Annual Traffick Jam, which brings together experts in their respective fields to inform and educate professionals in law enforcement, mental health, social work, and education, as well as for the general public.
January 29
Cheers for Charity
4 – 10 p.m.
2312 Abercorn Street
Join us for an evening of fun drinks and tasty treats. A portion of the sales will be donated to Tharros Place.
Worldwide, human trafficking impacts more than 24.9 million people — adults and children — including in the United States. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, a total of 1,912 people were referred to U.S. attorneys for human trafficking offenses in 2022, a 26 percent increase from a decade earlier. Of the 1,070 defendants charged, 91 percent were male, 58 percent were white, 20 percent were black, 18 percent were Hispanic, 95 percent were U.S. citizens, and 71 percent had no prior convictions.
With Savannah’s high poverty rate, international port, booming tourism industry, and the crossroads of Highway 95 and I-16, the county ranks 4th in the state (out of 159 counties) for the number of reported cases of minor victims of trafficking. The issue is of particular concern for Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp, who created the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion, and Education (GRACE) Commission to eliminate human trafficking as a threat to people in every part of Georgia.
ABOUT THARROS PLACE:
Human trafficking – the exploitation of another person for sex, labor, or services – is a global threat. In the United States, there are 1.5 million human trafficking victims, most of whom are children. Savannah is no exception, due to its high poverty rate, international port, booming tourism industry, and the crossroads of Highway 95 and I-16.
Tharros Place, a 501(c)(3) that takes its name from the Greek word for courage, was created to fill a gap in services. In 2023, Tharros Place opened a 12-bed residential home to address underlying trauma and cultivate a culture of courage for girls ages 12 to 17.
For more information or to donate, visit tharrosplace.com.