March Meeting

 What? That does not happen here

The  reality of human trafficking in the United States is still largely  swept under the rug or otherwise ignored. It is so easy to say, "That  doesn't happen here!" or "That only happens in third world countries!"  Unfortunately, that is not true at all. The Monique Burr Foundation  declares that humans "are sold in the U.S. in quantities second only to  illegal drugs." Human trafficking is the second most profitable illegal  activity in the United States. 

The United States alone generates about 35 billion dollars per year in profits from sex trafficking. 

Read that line again. 

Globally,  human trafficking generates about 150 billion dollars in profit every  year. Of that 150 billion, 99 billion is from sex trafficking and the  other 50 billion is from labor trafficking. This means that the United States alone counts for over one third of the global profits from sex trafficking. 

Deliver Fund states on their website that, "It is estimated that between 15,000 to  50,000 women and children are forced into sexual slavery in the United  States every year, and the total number varies wildly as it is very  difficult to research. One study from the Department of Health and Human  Services estimated the number between 240,000 and 325,000, while a  report from the University of Pennsylvania put it at between 100,000 and  300,000."

The states with the  highest number of human trafficking victims are, in order, California,  Texas, Florida, and New York. This makes sense, since those are also the  states with the highest populations. However, if you look at the per  capita numbers, the states with the worst rates of human trafficking are, in order, Mississippi, Washington D.C.,  Nevada, Missouri, and Nebraska. Aside from D.C., most people would be  surprised by these top states. Not many people think of Nebraska as a  hot bed of atrocity. This just further shows that human trafficking  happens everywhere, not just in big cities or poor countries. 

Another  common myth is that the trafficking happening in our country is still  perpetrated by "someone else." It is the immigrants coming in and doing  these horrible things. It's the minorities! The known criminals! Again,  all of these claims are false. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics,  in the year 2020, of all the defendants tried in U.S. courts for human  trafficking related offenses, 95% were U.S. citizens. 63% were white.  And 66% had no prior criminal convictions. 

So what can we do as Americans?

The  number one step to addressing any problem is always education. How can  we fight something that we don't realize exists? We cannot. The  advocates at Lotus Foundation are eager to spread knowledge and  awareness, as well as resources. Polaris Project is a great organization to combat human trafficking within the United  States. They operate the 24/7 National Human Trafficking Hotline  (1-888-373-7888) and offer a virtual 'Human Trafficking 101' training  open to anyone who is interested in learning more. Our Resources page on the Lotus Foundation website also offers other sites that provide good information. Blue Campaign also offers an abundance of resources and training opportunities open to anyone who is interested. 

We  are doing what we can to assist the survivors of human trafficking in  the Colorado Springs community, but it takes effort from all Americans  to make it so that Lotus Foundation doesn't even need to exist. 

    Dr. Christopher Bonn is a dynamic and accomplished Superintendent with a track record of success in administration and public education leadership. With over 18 years of experience, including nine years as a Superintendent in Arizona, California, and New Mexico, he has demonstrated his versatility and unconventional leadership style that gets immediate results.

     Dr. Bonn has participated in reorganizing several districts with significant improvements in performance and achievement despite limited and declining resources and revenue. His expertise in reorganization, problem-solving, and providing solutions has proved to be a tremendous asset to the organizations he has worked.

     As a strategic and operational authority, Dr. Bonn is well-versed in developing and implementing an organization’s vision. He has facilitated intergovernmental agreements, networking with other businesses and corporations, created and revised policies and guidelines, and is familiar with credentialing and certification processes. In addition, Dr. Bonn is proficient in international teachers’ exchange and Visa Processes and experienced in tribal and indigenous affairs while working to diversify systems in the organization and make practices more equitable.

     Dr. Bonn’s motivational and inspiring leadership style focuses on teamwork, equity, and diversifying organizational opportunities. He has extensive experience in staff development, coaching, budget management, and moving organizations forward with limited staff and resources.

    Dr. Bonn holds a Doctorate of Education in Leadership, a Master of Education in Leadership, and a B.A. in Counseling Psychology/Special Education. He has worked in various positions, including Superintendent of Schools, Interim Director of Special Education, Principal, Assistant Principal, Teacher, Varsity Football and Wrestling Coach, and Consultant. As a mentor to talented leaders, he has successfully guided and built leadership capability, resulting in 100% of individuals mentored being promoted to executive-level positions within the organization.

Usama Dakdok, an Egypt-born Christian, first learned about Islam while in government schools. He furthered his university degree education at the High Institute of Social Work, Egypt, which included the study of Sharia (Islamic Law).

Arriving in America in 1992 with Arabic as his native language, he discovered that the commonly used English translations of the Qur’an were full of misrepresentations that minimized its violent teachings as revealed in the Arabic text.

Having an expert understanding of Islam, he deeply desired to reach out to Muslims in America with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, in 2001, he founded The Straight Way of Grace Ministry, which has a two-fold purpose: to equip the Christian church to minister to Muslims, and to warn all Americans about the deceptive methods being used by Muslims to lead so many into the cult of Islam.  

For over a decade, Usama has traveled extensively throughout America and Canada sharing the powerful message of “Revealing the Truth about Islam.