01-05-2025
Rotary Club of Peoria North to presents $20,000 to combat human trafficking
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The Rotary Club of North Peoria announced it will be awarding the Center for Prevention of Abuse $20,000 on Thursday.
That grant plus a $9,000 grant to the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery will be presented during the club's weekly meeting at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday at the Barrack's Carter Inn.
These funds were raised during the Rotary Club's 'Mardi Gras 2025: Taking Action to End Human Trafficking' event in February. The event shared information about human trafficking locally and around the world.
Mardi Gras celebration raising money to end human trafficking
Carol Merna, CEO of the Center for Prevention of Abuse, said the grant will supply critical support for the Center.
'Human trafficking is when freedom is stolen. From illicit massage facilities to factories and brothels to farms and panhandlers caught up in a begging ring to cleaning crews and domestic servitude, human trafficking is the second-largest criminal enterprise in the world, and it is a serious issue right here at home,' Merna said. 'Our work to serve survivors, and CFPA's efforts to educate and train on awareness and prevention, are our core responsibilities, but we cannot do it alone. We are deeply grateful for the Rotary Club of Peoria North for their partnership and their commitment to the many thousands of people affected by this heinous human rights issue.'
The Center provides services for victims of violence. It is the only agency in Illinois that provides services for Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse/Assault, Human Trafficking, Adult Protective Services, and Prevention Education under one roof.
The Rotary Action Group Against Slavery uses funding to support Community Awareness & Prevention Education projects around the world. Rotary Club of North Peoria President Ashley Schreck said she wants everyone involved in ending human trafficking.
'By boosting awareness and supporting human trafficking services, Rotary Peoria North wants to encourage more people everywhere to get involved in ending human slavery,' Schreck said.
Anyone who wants to report a human trafficking incident can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
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