The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy is committed to giving the precious gift of literacy to the millions of Americans who cannot read. The NFRW, working in concert with the Barbara Bush Foundation, asks local clubs to share their literacy projects each September during NFRW Literacy Month. This annual program was established by the NFRW Literacy Committee in 2002. (nfrw.org)

SUNACRW has participated every year since our formation.  Our projects have ranged from creating a reading corner for children whose parents are seeking social services to donations to special literacy projects.  In recent years, SUNACRW has donated the same title to one library in each of our service counties.

We are aware of the damage at several of our local school district libraries and encourage everyone to donate new books to restock those devastated by the rainy summer weather and mold.

Human trafficking is here, it’s local, and much of it is in plain sight, not hidden behind fences and barbed wire.  It is modern slavery trapping men and women everywhere into forced labor and sexual exploitation.  Human trafficking is the #2 criminal enterprise, behind the drug trade.  But it is growing, with $32 billion in profits in 2016.

While trafficking conjures up a mental picture of sweltering shipping containers overloaded with human cargo, the reality is much of it doesn’t move the victim from place to place.  Those who are trafficked are used in their own locales and by people who have gained their trust.  Forced labor and sexual exploitation know no geographical boundaries and often, intersect with local drug trade.  It preys on the vulnerable, particularly those without economic or social stability.

Pennsylvania’s Act 105, anti-trafficking legislation enacted in 2014, includes criminal and civil recourse for victims of human trafficking.  Yet most victims do not willingly come forward due to fear of their trafficker, language or cultural barriers, or fear of law enforcement.  Even in highly public settings, most trafficked individuals will not ask for help.

NFRW has prioritized the fight against human trafficking and asked each state and council to act accordingly.

PFRW’s legislative director, Margaret Recupido has led the effort statewide by educating board members and regional directors on ways to equip their Republican Women.

SUNACRW works with several organizations to provide both financial support and supplies to those who first connect with victims of trafficking.    For security purposes we do not name our partners, but our projects have included providing flashlights with alarms to young women in a residential program, for previously trafficked youth and supporting direct care programs.

What can you do?

• Educate yourself on issues related to trafficking in labor, sex, etc.
• Befriend vulnerable individuals who may be at risk.  Strong families and appropriate friendships provide barriers to traffickers looking for victims.
• Get involved with programs that work to provide victims with new opportunities, education and counseling.
• Report suspected trafficking to the police.

Topic: Mental Health

Speaker: Carol Sides

Location: Union County (email us for exact location)

Time: 6:30-8:00 pm

The NFRW Americanism program seeks to promote respect for the American Flag and foster allegiance to the United States and its customs and institutions.

Republican women’s clubs help carry out this mission in their local communities through educational and inspirational programs and projects. Examples of SUNACRW projects include:

• Distributing copies of the US Constitution
• Donating patriotic books to libraries and schools
• Sponsoring patriotic essay contests

Think about your own actions and make the changes needed.  That was the message members of PFRW heard at the 93rd PFRW Convention on Saturday.  Special Agent Janene Holter challenged attendees to change their behavior to prevent addiction in their families, create safe homes and avoid personal opioid issues.

Some highlights:

• Take all your meds out of your medicine cabinet or any other place where family and friends access during visits.
• Lock up your drugs, opioids or not.  Pill or “pharming” parties are popular and users are taking anything they can find.
• Break the habit of sharing your medical concerns and medications information with others.  Addicts listen and identify possible sources to burglarize.
• 80,000 Pennsylvania grandparents are raising their grandchildren due to the opioid epidemic.
• Pennsylvania is #2 in the country in heroin overdose deaths.

Click the graphic above for more information.