Bring ‘Not in My City, Not in My State’ to Your Town
Not in My City, Not in My State Campaign
Human trafficking, one of the fastest growing crimes, is one of the most unifying social justice issues of our time. The Not in My City, Not in My State Campaign brings people together in agreement. It is a multi-city movement launched to engage local communities in using their time, talent, and treasure to fight the issue of human trafficking.
Community leaders and activists come together with this simple but effective campaign to make a public stand and show their city they will not tolerate human trafficking in their community.
The goal is to bring momentum to this campaign. To date, many city, county, and state proclamations have been secured and several press conferences were held in Elk Grove, CA; Sacramento, CA; and the State Capitol.
Launch this campaign in your city or county.
Here’s how:
- Secure a Not in My City Proclamation through your mayor’s office. This can be adapted for a county or state proclamation. (Download Proclamation)
- Host a Not in My City Rally. This can be on Nation Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11th or another day of your choosing at city hall or another appropriate venue. Invite key city leaders to come and speak briefly and to read the city proclamation. Supporting organizations can be encouraged to bring signage to show their support and solidarity.
- Invite the local press. Ask your city leaders to also send out a press release to their contacts.
Contact Information:
Email: notinmycity@courageworldwide.org for more information and to let us know you are doing this campaign.
Phone: 916.517.1616 (Courage Worldwide offices)
Social Media: Not in My City. Not in My State Facebook page will post your event; invite people to like and engage on this page.
Although this campaign has been launched by Courage Worldwide and the logos are trademarked, it is not for the sole purpose of promoting any one organization. The heart behind the campaign is to unite a city together in the fight against human trafficking.
California Senate honored CWW Founder and the organization for their work with victims of trafficking.
California Senator Sharon Runner and CWW Community Relations Director Stephanie Midthun on Senate Floor
Suggested groups to reach out to for endorsement and participation in the Not in My City, Not in My State Campaign:
District Attorney’s Office
Board of Supervisors
Human Trafficking Non-Profits and Human Trafficking Coalition Groups
Faith-Based Communities
Schools: Junior Highs, High Schools, Colleges
Political Leaders
Law Enforcement: Corrections, CHP, Police Department, Sheriff, Probation
Law Enforcement Chaplaincy
Businesses
Clubs: Rotary, Soroptimist, Lion’s, Kiwani’s, etc.
Hotels/Casinos
Healthcare
CPS, Child Welfare, Foster Care
Sports Teams
Local Celebrities
Cross-Cultural Groups
Massage Therapists (many are tired of their industry being used for a front and want to make a stand)
Not in My Prison/Not in My Life is a first-of-its-kind U.S. program initiated by inmates at the Susanville, CA prison to teach inmates about the issue of human trafficking and its impact on young victims. As one inmate stated in a letter to our Founder/CEO, Jenny Williamson, “as lifers, we want to prepare individuals re-entering society on how to combat human trafficking, as well as protect their families and communities from this evil. We lifers want to teach the young inmates returning to society that this is NOT okay and it is wrong to sell children.”
One of our Courage Ambassadors, Dawn Hershberger, facilitated this program through her job as a Susanville Prison Correction Officer. Dawn’s work in making her community aware of this evil against children has earned her numerous awards. Not only has Dawn facilitated this program at the prison, she started a triathlon in her community to raise funds and awareness for our efforts to serve those who have been impacted by this crime. (Click here for information about the next Courage Triathlon.)
We have trained the leaders and members of the Not in My Prison/Not In My Life group within the prison, teaching them about this particular crime of human trafficking, as well as what young victims endure at the hands of a trafficker. The prisoners were extremely moved and vowed to get the Not in My Life/No in My Prison program into every prison in California. One inmate stated, “I have selfish reasons for doing this–I have never made my family proud. I am hoping my involvement with this group and the movement to end trafficking will make them proud of me.”
Not in My Prison/Not in My Life is a program under the Courage Worldwide umbrella. Training and support will be provided for these groups as they expand.