The Facts: Human Trafficking in DuPage

CAROL STREAM, IL (Sept. 29, 2016) - Every year, 15,000 to 24,000 people in Chicagoland become victims of human trafficking. Of these, 35-40 percent are under age 18. Most are trafficked for sex, according to Frank Massolini of the Salvation Army.

"It horrifies me that some of my former students showed warning signs," said Melissa De La Paz, an ELL (English Language Learner) / bilingual resource teacher at Stratford Middle School in Bloomingdale. "I wonder if I looked slavery in the face. I want to be better prepared."

To that end, De La Paz has organized the free educational presentation, The Facts: Human Trafficking in DuPage, to be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Sat. Oct. 15 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1244 W. Army Trail Road, Carol Stream. All are invited to attend.

"During the presentation. our co-sponsor, New Name Ministries, will share: safety tips, safety tips for children, Internet lures, and the warning signs of children who are at risk of being trafficked," said De La Paz.

In addition to the presentation, there will be refreshments, a door prize, and the opportunity to purchase goods made by human trafficking victims available through Women at Risk, International.

For information, call 630-830-4833 or email: Melissa.Joy.DeLaPaz@gmail.com.

Our Savior Lutheran Church of Carol Stream belongs to the St. Louis-headquartered Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). The denomination has more than 2.3 million members in more than 6,100 congregations nationwide. LCMS operates the largest Protestant parochial school system in America.