Today's post is an idea for action. Contact a local law enforcement agency---the sheriff's office, the district attorney, the local police---and invite them to come and speak to your adult church school class, forum or at an all church program. Ask them to tell you about human trafficking in your community. Don't believe it's so close to home? Within the last year, several counties in central Pennsylvania have had arrests for trafficking for illegal labor, for forced prostitution or for child labor. We can begin here, by increasing our own awareness. It's going to take the whole world to demand a stop to slavery! But we can do it. We must.

I want to lift up several websites that will help you educate yourself about human trafficking. The first is from Mt. Sinai Hospital and is especially aimed at medical providers, but even has some case stories. It is http://www.humantraffickinged.com/. The second is from the FBI. If you ever waant to know how to report ifyou suspect trafficking, this is the place: http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/civilrights/slavery.htm. The third one is from another government source, the Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/. What resources have you found? What stories have you heard? Let's talk about it here.

Half the Sky Event
NCM Fathom and CARE are partnering again for a one night event inspired Nicholas Kristof's New York Times bestseller, "Half The Sky." The Event will feature a musical performance by Michael Franti, the debut of Marisa Tomei and Lisa Leone's new short feature "Woineshet" and will conclude with a panel discussion about various topics and issues facing women around the world. The panel would include Marisa Tomei and Lisa Leone. Also with appearances by Michael Franti, India Arie Maria Bello, Diane Birch, Dr. Helene Gayle, Nicholas Kristof, Sarah, Duchess of York and Angelique Kidjo. The event is being captured Live on February 11th out of the Skirball Center in New York and will be played back on March 4th 7:30pm (local time) at the theatres (fully pre-recorded) to celebrate International Women's Day. Talent subject to change.
Tickets are on sale NOW for "Half the Sky" on March 4 th at 7:30 pm (local time). In central PA it is playing at the Stadium 14 in Harrisburg, and, I believe, in Lititz.

Welcome to our Penn Central Conversation on human trafficking. Some of us have read Half the Sky by Nicolas Kristoff and his spouse. Others have attended conferences about trafficking. Some of us are following organizations like the Global Fund for Women on Twitter. This is a place where we can challenge each other to act. A place where we can share information. And a place where we can share and dialog. Please join us by leaving your comments. If you would like to post actual blog entries for others to comment, please contact me at the Penn Central Conference Office in Harrisburg. Blessings, Marja, Penn Central Conference Minister