| Posted by Roger Jorgensen |
CHRISTINE ERICKSON: SEX TRAFFICKING IN OUR BACK YARDS
 Christine is the Director of Children-at-Risk Ministries at Grace Church. She is an Eden Prairie native. Christine graduated from Eden Prairie High School and the Carlson School of Business. Upon graduation, she went to Bosnia to work with refugees and met her husband Jim. They moved to Chanhassen in 1999. They have four children. In 2009, Christine became aware of human trafficking in working with Breaking Free. Modern day slavery: there are more slaves today then ever before. Human trafficking is a world wide problem. Child trafficking is children under the age of 18. We are blessed to have great laws in Minnesota that treat this problem seriously. We have been supported by Senator Klobuchar and Congressman Paulsen on these issues. 20.9 million to 35 million are victims of labor and sex trafficking. About 55% are women. Two million are children.
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Over 300,000 American children are at risk of being exploited. Ages for exploited American children start between twelve and fourteen years old. Christine cited several examples of children that have been lured or forced into prostitution. Our police department is very active in pursuing violators especially men who are soliciting minors. She talked about the process that predators use to coerce young girls into this lifestyle. The internet is now the way transactions are done. Even hotels in Eden Prairie are being used. On June 10th , the third annual 5k Run for Human Trafficking will occur at Purgatory Creek in Eden Prairie. Last year there were over 1,000 runners. Thirty businesses and churches helped sponsor this run. The City of Eden Prairie, Grace Church, Pax Christi, St. Andrews, Westwood, Wooddale and other churches are supporting this run.
Announcements
- Feb. 8 Swallowship at Axel’s in Chanhassen
- Feb. 10 Strive Meeting
- Feb. 10 New Member Orientation- from 12-1 at Star Bank
- Family Fun at North Lotus Lake Park Sliding Hill Chanhassen- Feb. 19 2-3:30pm
- EP Reads - tickets for author visit Mar. 6 - book to loan
- EPAM Rotary Foundation pledges – update, match?
- Above and Beyond Nomination Forms
- Feb. 16 Beyond the Yellow Ribbon 3:30 pm
- Feb. 20 Meals on Wheels Week
- Feb 21 PROP Empty Bowls Fundraiser: 11-1:30 p.m. & 4-7 p.m. at St. Andrews
- Feb. 24 Strive Meeting
- Feb. 28 Board Meeting
Spotlight on Mike Lewis
 Mike hails from Florida and Connecticut before coming to Eden Prairie where he has learned about the Polar Vortex and ice scrapers. He has been a college basketball coach and fund raiser for the University of South Florida and then became a High School basketball coach in Connecticut. His most important job has been Mr. Mom at times. Mike’s wife Lisa is President and CEO of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. One daughter Kelsey, a senior at the University of South Florida, has been accepted into the Peace Corp and will be in Ethiopia in June. Mike’s youngest daughter is a freshman at Eden Prairie High School. Mike works part-time at Prairie Lawn and Garden. Mike has been in all 50 states, he enjoys golf, prepares all the meals at home and is excited to be part of Rotary.
Happy Fines
- Irene Kelly’s youngest son and family have moved in with her while their home is being renovated.
- Jay Simpson – Happy that Pei Ling has “fixed him up” with new bifocals
- Dan O’Brien – Happy that Mike Kraines is the newest Paul Harris Fellow. Dan also mentioned it is his wife’s last day working and now that she is retired she will know how little he gets done in a day :)
Visitors
Bill Gaddis - Prospective Member
John Georgen - Prospective Member
Ale Pena Gonzalez - Exchange Student
Stella Lindbergh and Carter Mason - Student Interns
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