Program areas at Renee Jones Empowerment Center
Project Red Cord Outreach, Community Awareness, Public Education and Advocacy: RJEC expanded its outreach program to five neighborhoods, to reach marginalized and underserved populations in communities and locations known for high levels of prostitution, poverty, and drug use. These outreach events provide information about free services and resources, personal care items and hot meals. At a subsidized housing location in Akron, Ohio. RJEC implemented a comprehensive leadership training program, including human trafficking awareness, which will be a model for similar locations. Also, RJEC implemented an ongoing series of awareness-related podcasts, The Red Cord Chronicles, which has a wide and varied audience. RJEC now also collaborates internationally in a Global Initiative in the Fight against Human Trafficking, co-sponsoring international webinars and hosting international visitors to present the RJEC model for empowering and restoring the lives of human trafficking survivors. Through a photo exhibit and survivor-developed art show, RJEC showcased the trauma and emotional effects of human trafficking on survivors. RJEC continues to train the public on human trafficking as requested and to advocate for state and federal legislative reform aimed at assisting human trafficking survivors, penalizing traffickers, and reducing the demand for sexual exploitation.
Restorative Services and Support to Human Trafficking Survivors: RJEC staff and volunteers provide an extensive and varied list of programs and services to human trafficking survivors and those vulnerable for being trafficked. These programs include, but are not limited to, life skills, employment skills, support groups, mentoring and counseling, and numerous therapudic and rehabilitative opportunties such as art therapy, equine therapy, journaling and education on health and wellness. New in 2022 was the creation of a Plant Club to facilitate interaction with the healing elements of nature and to promote the beauty and joy of nurturing plant life. RJEC provides transportation support to enable clients to get to the Center.