Today’s meeting began with President Mark ringing the bell and Maestro Tom Strode leading us in our National Anthem.  Marelena Struder provided our words of inspiration today in the form of a beautiful poem titled ‘The Turtle’ by Mary Oliver, and reminding us that Mother Nature speaks to us without ever saying a word.  

Having a bit of fun today, Downs Herold led us in two songs – the old standard “Smile – Sing a Song” and what he described as a fun camp song, “My Bonnie lies over the ocean!”

Several guests were introduced and welcomed including our Assistant District Governor who was visiting today.

President Mark offered thanks to the following individuals helping to make today’s meeting run smoothly: Linda Kentes, Jim Egerdal, Steve Kessler, Pat Murphy, Cyril White, Downs Herold, Ronald Slagell, Emily Conrady, Don Detrich, Pattie Katcher, Fred Beutler.

Tom Millard announced several birthdays and Rotary anniversaries (between 20-35 years in the club).  

Announcements:  Lori Walters reminded everyone of the upcoming GPO (Golf & Pickleball Outing) happening on September 11th at Barton Hills Country Club!  Sign up to golf, play pickleball, or join us for dinner.  We also need more volunteers to help with the many tasks associated with the event – more info is on our Rotary website!

Speaking of the GPO, Agnes Reading let us know that the auction catalog will be forthcoming with many exciting items and events!  Stay tuned!

Dallas Dort of the Program Committee is soliciting ideas for meeting program/speaker topics or individuals that we’d like to hear from at a future meeting.  Suggestions can be emailed to Dallas.

Three new members were introduced today.  First Kathy Waugh announced their names and provided their new member t-shirt before their more formal introductions. 

Alicia Pani was introduced by Mary Steffek-Blaske.  Alicia is the Development Director for the Michigan Theater and serving as the interim CEO at the Michigan Theater.  She has degrees in Art History, is a tutor for America Reads, is on the A2 Bicentennial Committee, and involved in many other organizations. 

David Prentice-Hyers was introduced by Mark Ouimet.  David grew up in Tennessee and has a seminary degree.  He was a former student minister in Ann Arbor before embarking on some overseas duties.  He has a passion for service, has a young family and loves being a father.

The third new member, Jordan Setayesh, will have a full introduction next week when his sponsor is present. 

Marcia Lane introduced today’s speaker, Karen Moore who is the Executive Director of Sanctum House, located in Oakland County.  Sanctum House is a 24 month integrated care/safe house for women experiencing human trafficking and has been in operation for six years, serving a total of 150 women during that time.  Joining Karen today was Dara, who has been a resident of Sanctum House for the past two years.  Karen started by staying that today’s talk would be more of a conversation than a presentation, and provided some definitions for us.  Human trafficking is the trade of persons for forced labor, sexual slavery or exploitation.  The key words associated with trafficking are force and coercion.  Anyone under the age of 18 who is working and not being paid is automatically considered to be trafficked.  At Sanctum House, all residents are survivors of sex trafficking and many have suffered labor trafficking, too. 

Between Karen and Dara, we learned important information about this subject.  Many times, women exhibit doubt that they are trafficked because their abuser manipulates them.  Abusers prey on individuals who are vulnerable including those who struggle with substance abuse. 

 Dara mentioned that both she and her best male friend were trafficked together, thus it’s not just affecting women/girls.   She says she’s come a long way since finding Sanctum House and is now in a position where other residents look up to her and ask for advice!  

Karen had more stats to report:  the residence serves adult women aged 18-62 ranging from individuals who might not be formally educated to others who are educated and in good jobs (nursing, lawyer).  Sadly, human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world.

Karen stated that the women they serve have suffered a great deal – in addition to being trafficked they suffer mental health issues, serious medical issues and substance abuse problems.  As the house offers and supports medical and legal matters, residents learn, eventually, to love themselves and help themselves…that they matter.

As of 2023, they have access to state funding that is now available to support human trafficking agencies.  The house also provides internship opportunities for several colleges/universities in the area, so that social work and psychology students gain experience.  

The house is in a secure location (address is not public for obvious reasons), is 6,000 sq. ft., and each resident has their own room and bath.  In Dec 2023, they will be ‘gifted’ the land and some additional buildings on the property, including a small apartment building so that they can triple their capacity and help residents with transitional housing.

Currently, only single women are in the program.  They may consider additional services in the future to address the need to support men, boys, children, LGBTQ, etc.  Karen did stress the importance of educating health professionals, hospitals, etc. to recognize when they might come in contact with a person who is being trafficked, and to recognize the unconscious bias that comes into play when providers ‘think’ they understand the signs/signals (poor, girls, drug addicts, no teeth).  

Thank you to Karen and Dara for coming to speak to us today about a very important and personal topic and we wish Dara all the best!

Our Quote for the Day, from His Holiness the Dalai Lama:  “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.  Without them, humanity cannot survive.”

Respectfully submitted by Pattie Katcher