Selecting the title of this posting will take you directly to the hotline for Human Trafficking.  Don't be afraid to use it.

Wednesday evening's presentation by DRPS and VSDR was very well attended, attracting individuals who work in some form of support role for marginalized people.
DC Murray, Nancy and Victim Services Durham  Region Executive Director Jade, who work together in the field identifying and extricating girls at risk provided the audience an insight into who are victims, how they are recruited and maintained as "property" of a pimp. 

Many of the young women work out of hotels, motels, even cars, earning big money for their pimp but see none of it themselves. They are not in the lifestyle by choice.  Because they are vulnerable to begin with they are easy targets.

When asked what we could do to assist the police we were asked to be vigilant and observant.  Observant when we are in hotels, motels and see suspicious and heavy traffic to a particular room.  Also to be vigilant in interacting with the young women and men in our lives who might be at risk.

A simple phone call to police in that situation is all it takes to make a difference.

Kudos to the individuals who work tirelessly in this field.  Help them achieve more successes in whatever little way you can.

Yet another snowfall, this one so bad that no one wanted to go out in it.  Our general meeting was cancelled as a result and we missed out on a great guest speaker, Ted Barris.  He will be rescheduled.

We have Resolutions to vote on which we would have done at this meeting.  Stay tuned on how we will meet our March 31st submission deadline.  We may have voting on-line

    Thursday evening, March 6th saw a gathering of women and men at UOIT downtown Oshawa Charles Street campus for a viewing of the NFB production of Status Quo? The Unfinished Business of Feminism in Canada. 

   The film was presented in partnership with UOIT School of Social Science to celebrate International Women's Day 2014. 

   The audience consisted of UOIT staff, students, CFUW members and members of the general public.  The message was thought provoking and our discussion led by three panelists was lively.

   The expression "women's work is never done" applies especially well to women's issues as funding for the most marginalized members of our gender is cut, and daily we read of atrocities in countries around the world.

   Thanks to those who attended.

   Our speaker couldn't make it this month and we only learned of it late in the afternoon so couldn't find a replacement.  Not to worry...Lorraine V. who has heard Sgt. Keating a couple of times shared some of what she remembers of his stories.  She then facilitated a discussion with the attendees which led to more interesting stories and warnings. 
   What I took away from the discussion in particular was the importance of who you name as your Power of Attorney and consider more than one to handle various areas (financial, health, etc.).
   Resolutions will be discussed at the February and March meetings and four people volunteered to take the lead on discussion.  To gather an understanding of the resolutions prior to the meeting, a quick visit to the CFUW web site will allow you to peruse them.

   November's general meeting included a presentation by member Karen on the organization near and dear to her heart - Sleeping Children Around the World.  Founded by Murray and Margaret Dryden in 1970, to date $23 million has been raised to provide bed kits for more than 1 million children.

   Apart from the benefits to the child, the attractiveness of this program is that all money donated goes directly to funding the kits, and it only take $35.00 to help one child, and by default that child's family.

   If you have some particularly difficult people to buy for on your Christmas list, here's a great last minute idea.  Just visit the link to learn more.

   Thanks to Karen for bringing this worthy cause to the attention of our membership.