UPDATES & NEWS on Fight Against Human Trafficking Information
MEDIA RELEASE: Secretary Pate presents awards to community members on behalf of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking
DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate presented awards on behalf of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking to outstanding community members combating human trafficking across the state on Thursday at the Iowa Capitol Building.
Governor Reynolds signed a proclamation in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month which was also presented at the event.
“It was a pleasure to recognize these individuals and businesses for their support combating human trafficking across the state,” Secretary Pate said. “I appreciate the work they’ve done so far and thank them for their service working to put an end to this horrible crime.”
Six awards were handed out at the event to individuals and businesses leading the fight to end human trafficking across the state.
“We are honored to have six awardees today that each distinguished themselves in the fight against human trafficking,” said Dr. George Belitsos, Board Chair of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking. “These are unsung heroes – people we are putting in the spotlight to show the fight against this horrible crime.”
Awards were presented to the following individuals and businesses (Photos are available for your use by clicking on the name/company below):
Leland Schipper of Des Moines, IA
Tish Young of Cedar Rapids, IA
Melody Stone of Mason City, IA
Sister Shirley Fineran of Sioux City, Iowa
For more information on the background of the recipients, please visit IowaNAHT.org.
A soundbite of Secretary Pate’s quote is available for your use at this link.
A soundbite of Dr. George’s quote is available for your use at this link.
A headshot of Secretary Pate is available for your use at this link.
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FROM TOM BARR –
On January 12th, our Governor Proclaimed January as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Awareness Month; you know Alka was our District Governor 2021/22. She was one of five who received special recognition from our Secretary of State.
Alka had a passion for fighting HT before becoming our DG. After becoming District #6000 DG, Thanks to Alka:
-Iowa has a RAGAS Action Team which fights HT across the state
-Seven of those clubs received a grant of $500 to implement programs to help educate and fight human trafficking.
-District 6000 developed a Resolution for Rotary International to take a more effective role in fighting HT worldwide.
-Rotary International adopted Dist#6000’s Resolution in April of 2022.
-Alka and her husband Kiran personally flipped burgers in RonDeVoo Park to help us raise funds for INAHT during World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Here’s what Bill Tubbs wrote in the District Magazine:
District Governor 2021-22 Alka Khanolkar of Keokuk received an Outstanding Anti-Trafficking Service
Award from Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery
(NAHT) Jan. 12, at 11:00 a.m. in the Rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol Building.
She was nominated by Ames Rotarian Dr. George Belitos and West Liberty Rotarian Tom Barr for her
leadership in creating awareness of human trafficking during her year as district governor.
Congratulations, Alka, and thank you for your leadership!
Here’s what Dr. Belitsos wrote:
Congratulations! You have been selected to receive an Outstanding Anti-Trafficking Service Award from Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery (NAHT). Your award will be presented by the Governor on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 11:00 AM in the Rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol Building.
———- Forwarded message ———
From: George Belitsos <gbelitsos55@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jan 13, 2023 at 9:07 AM
Subject: Successful Proclamation Signing & Anti-Trafficking Service Awards Photos #1
To:
Greetings to the Network Board of Directors and our State Agency Partners. We had a very successful Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month event yesterday, January 12th at the State Capitol building rotunda.
A special thanks to the Secretary of State, Paul Pate, for standing in for the Governor. He spoke very well about Iowa’s state government’s commitment to fighting trafficking. I’m so glad we were able to recognize one of the Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking (IBAT) businesses. Secretary Pate launched the IBAT program one year ago at this very same proclamation signing event. Over 600 businesses are now IBAT members.
I’m going to send 2 emails with two different collages of photos. This is photo collage #1.
January 17 – Human Trafficking Awareness Webinar
Paul Paet Office in Iowa is partnering with Chains Interrupted to host a webinar discussing how to recognize the signs of human trafficking and how Iowans can help combat this horrible crime. The event is free, but RSVP is required. For more information, click here.
More details ……
This is from Chains Interrupted and our Secretary of State. Chains Interrupted is the Cedar Rapids organization who ‘stepped up’ for the Ukraine refugee who mistook Traffickers as her Sponsors when she crossed our Southern Borders this past July. If you will recall, she was able to get away and walk back to the Cedar Rapids Airport in the night to seek help.
This program is not about her, but is to help everyone learn the signs of Human Trafficking and what to do.
For those who wish to attend this event, here is another link to the program if the first link is not working for you:
