National Council of Jewish Women Inc San Francisco Section

Promoting Civic Engagement:Making our voices heard is a key to winning the fight for equality and justice. We rally our members, volunteers, and allies to promote NCJW-SF progressive agenda and hold our elected officials accountable. We implement this important program of NCJW-SF through legislative lobbying at the State and United States capitols and educational and advocacy actions promoting reproductive and voting rights, diversity and racial justice and fair federal bench appointments. To expand our programs reach and impact with partner with government agencies and community-based organizations with similar values and progressive agendas.Empowering Women, Children and Families:Improving the wellbeing of children, women and families enables communities to thrive. Through this program we engage members, volunteers, and partners in our sustained efforts to safeguard equal rights for all and improve opportunities and safety-nets for those in need of support. The program includes educational and advocacy projects aimed at advancing women equality and leadership, carrying for children and families, fighting gender-based violence and protecting immigrants.Advancing Social Justice in Israel:Supporting democracy and progress in Israel is our priority. To this end, we engage members, volunteers, and partners in actions on protecting equal rights in Israel and promoting advanced Israeli social justice models. Our program includes educational events and trips as well as advocacy projects aimed at strengthening civil society and expanding equality in Israel. We support the local and international efforts toward achieving a two-state solution and peace.Scholarships of NCJW-SF:The Scholarships Program provides support to women engaged in social justice projects, single parents in need, human trafficking survivors and youth at risk of violence and exploitation. The program energizes a next generation of activists to participate in our advocacy and leadership programs and support our work against violence, exploitation, and discrimination.

Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention and Direct Service to SurvivorsThrough this program NCJW San Francisco Section (NCJW-SF) has been instrumental in bringing the issue of human trafficking to the forefront of the Bay Area community's thoughts and actions. Through advocacy, education and collaboration building NCJW-SF members have been working to mobilize the local community for an organized response to human trafficking. Since 2006, NCJW-SF has initiated and assisted the founding of two major collaborations and is currently serving as their administrator and coordinating agency. In addition, NCJW-SF has been working extensively on strengthening the survivor assistance and access to resources and services through operating the 24/7 Bay Area Human Trafficking Hotline for Survivors and Community.1.The Jewish Coalition to End Human Trafficking (JCEHT,) chaired and staffed by NCJW-SF, is an educational, advocacy organization that works on broadening the understanding in the Jewish Community regarding the crime of human trafficking and supporting the local providers of service to trafficking survivors. JCEHT's objectives are two-fold: partner with other interfaith and human rights groups, non-profits, government officials and law enforcement agencies to raise awareness of and act against human trafficking; and advocate for consistent and comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation that provides for strict criminal penalties for traffickers as well as for protection and rehabilitation for trafficking survivors.2.The San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking (SFCAHT), co-chaired, coordinated and staffed by NCJW-SF is a coalition of over 70 agencies from the law enforcement, government, and non-profit sectors. A central objective of SFCAHT is to raise awareness about human trafficking and increase anti-trafficking community efforts by providing outreach and education both to those who are directly impacted by the crime and to the Bay Area professionals and community at large. A special emphasis is put on SFCAHT work with teenagers and generally with youth, through the teen activism and leadership program and the SFCAHT Student Alliance. In addition, SFCAHT addresses the challenges in fighting transnational human trafficking through collaboration with the consular offices based in San Francisco and international partners, such as the relevant UN and EU offices and commissions. In their key leadership roles on the Collaborative, NCJW-SFs passionate activists and highly qualified staff have been working tirelessly to help eradicate human trafficking in San Francisco and Bay Area through collaboration, education, outreach, and advocacy. NCJW-SFs leaders involved in the convening for the creation of the Collaborative have been awarded and especially recognized by the San Francisco Mayor's office for their initiative and extraordinary achievement.3.The 24/7 Bay Area Human Trafficking Hotline and Referral Mechanism for Survivors and Community confidentially and safely connect survivors of human trafficking and their support networks with resources and protections. The Hotline also serves affected/concerned citizens who report suspected human trafficking activities or want to learn more about recognizing the signs of the crime. Through its survivor informed services and collaboration with the local and national stakeholders, the hotline empowers survivors to regain control, navigate their options, and determine their next steps. It provides interpretation in over 240 languages to accommodate needs of immigrant survivors.