Greater than a decade in the past, when businesses had been addressing human trafficking all through the nation and the Bay Space, Amy Schuman sought methods to do her half by creating the nonprofit group ARM of Care.
“I noticed a film referred to as ‘Name and Response’ (bit.ly/3OT8Sr1) that addressed the problems of human trafficking by music and was impressed to determine what my half can be,” stated Schuman, ARM of Care’s founder. “I knew from my motion and artistic arts background that I might provide a facet of therapeutic and empowerment for this inhabitants, so my response was to succeed in out to those businesses and produce trauma-informed artistic arts therapies to those victims.”
With an workplace positioned in Walnut Creek, members of the nonprofit ARM of Care (ARM is an acronym for Artwork, Recreation and Motion) have helped greater than 3,000 youths and adults within the final 11 years. Angie Kavert, the group’s director of outreach and administration for the final 5 years, stated she is captivated with what they do.
“There’s a large want for our work. I do know we’re impacting lives in a optimistic approach and serving to individuals heal from this unthinkable crime,” she stated. “We’re additionally reaching out to numerous organizations and faculties in our group — resembling Northgate Excessive College and Saint Mary’s School — to assist educate our youth, to assist them hopefully keep away from being trafficked.”
Partnered with different space teams resembling Shepherd’s Gate, Love By no means Fails, Pillars of Hope and Waves of Grief, ARM of Care members assist survivors proceed therapeutic by artwork and motion remedy; foster self-care (wholesome consuming, train, training); present assets to reinforce and broaden life abilities; develop group help teams with fellow survivors; and promote ongoing alternatives for cultural and academic expertise.
“We make use of practitioners who’re skilled in some elements of the artistic arts, resembling artwork remedy, music remedy, somatic motion remedy, drama remedy and leisure remedy,” stated Schuman.
ARM of Care additionally has a program referred to as After REACH, which works with those that have graduated from the group’s respective packages or are being seen by different native providers — each are held one-on-one and in group classes, in particular person and thru Zoom.
“For particular occasions, we plan for baseball video games, ballet performances, museum visits, nature hikes and different outings,” Schuman added.
Serving to victims recuperate is the very best precedence for all who work with and help ARM of Care, she stated.
“Discovering shops for self-care, actions that carry enjoyment and wholesome leisure time hobbies are essential for all of us. Within the inhabitants that has skilled this stage of trauma and tragedy, it turns into particularly wanted for his or her restoration and their total well-being,” stated Schuman. “With so many horrible reminiscences, they can launch them, course of by them and specific them in protected and redemptive methods.”
Kavert stated that whereas their greatest want as a nonprofit is monetary help, additionally they want to coach the general public about indicators of human trafficking, a lot of that are listed on their web site.
“Our youth are so weak immediately, particularly due to the period of time they spend on the Web and social media, that are prime places for traffickers to ‘groom’ victims,” Kavert stated.
ARM of Care additionally receives grants plus donations from non-public and public entities and at occasions has wants for volunteers in varied capacities, resembling advertising and marketing, fundraising, administrative duties and periodically in-person assist.
Additionally they host an annual fundraiser and different fundraising occasions all year long, resembling their “Time of Restoration” occasion Sept. 10 on the Nice Hill Pavilion (bit.ly/3YxDf9p). As for assist on the governmental stage, Schuman identifies Sweden’s legislation first, as a result of she stated it was the primary to decriminalize the particular person being trafficked or victimized.
“The Intercourse Buy Act in Sweden of 1999 has additionally been carried out by different international locations and has stored the deal with those that are trafficking others and buying intercourse,” she stated. “It is extremely complete, together with offering restitution to those that have been prostituted.”
She stated the Trafficking Victims Safety Act in 2000 was the U.S. authorities’s first effort to handle this problem.
“Totally different states, cities, counties and companies have carried out particular insurance policies to fight this drawback,” she stated. “Federal human trafficking legal guidelines are simply discovered on-line, in addition to these for the world the place you reside.”
Schuman added that “It isn’t nearly creating insurance policies. It’s essential to have profitable implementation of those insurance policies, which incorporates electing and appointing leaders in our cities and states who will struggle for justice and see that the legislation is enforced.”
She stated she and her staff are grateful for these in the neighborhood who help ARM of Care and different businesses concerned in intercourse trafficking victims’ restoration.
“It takes many people to revive lives to the methods they had been meant to be,” she stated. “Persons are not property.”
For extra particulars or to contact ARM of Care, go to their web site (armofcare.org), Fb web page (fb.com/armofcare) or name them at 925-940-4006.
Charleen Earley is a contract author and journalism professor at Foothill and Diablo Valley faculties. Attain her at [email protected] or 925-383-3072.
