Judson seeks help in raising funds to combat human trafficking
Submitted by Judson University
Judson University is working to raise $5,000 to contribute to One Day's Wages Human Trafficking Fund from now until mid March. One Day's Wages is a grass-roots movement of people, stories, and actions to alleviate extreme global poverty and associated social problems by promoting simple giving and sustainable relief by developing and supporting partnerships with local organizations in developing areas.
"By donating 'one day's wages' through our designated webpage on the ODW website, we can pool our resources to support local ministries and other nongovernment organizations who are working around the world," said Judson psychology professor Marsha Vaughn, who helped organize the fundraiser. "These organizations may often be overlooked because they are focused locally and may not have the national and global scale. ODW finds these ministries that are making a difference in their local community and resources them to continue their work."
Judson University President Gene Crume initiated the idea because he felt that the mission of One Day's Wages aligns with the university's mission to shape lives that shape the world, he explained in an online video inviting the Judson community to contribute to the campaign.
"Giving philanthropically to One Day's Wages gives us an opportunity to actually help shape how those funds go to help people around the world," Crume explained.
This fundraising campaign has been established in conjunction with a series of on-campus events at Judson this spring, including a live simulcast of The Justice Conference Feb. 21-22, where ODW Founder Eugene Cho and several other leading experts will discuss social justice issues such as human trafficking, global poverty, and modern slavery.
Judson's ODW campaign will end in March with the presentation of Ars Liturgica by the university's Center for Worship in the Performing Arts. Ars Liturgica, which will run March 14-15 and 20-22, will be a multimedia theatrical production focusing on the issue of slavery, from both historical and modern day perspectives, incorporating the visual arts, drama, video, dance and music.
Those who wish to contribute to Judson's ODW campaign can visit www.onedayswages.org/donate/org/judson-university. Those who have questions about Judson's ODW campaign can email Marsha Vaughn at mvaughn@judsonu.edu.
On Feb. 21-22, Judson will simulcast The Justice Conference, a networked national conference. It will feature leading social justice experts such as Eugene Cho, founder of One Day's Wages; Lynne Hybels, human rights advocate and co-founder of Willow Creek Community Church with her husband Bill Hybels; Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and CEO of The King Center; Stephan Bauman, president and CEO of World Relief; and Noel Castellanos, CEO of the Christian Community Development Association, plus many more renowned speakers. To register for Judson's simulcast of the conference, visit www.judsonu.edu/justiceconference.