https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/crime/human-trafficking-arrest-rowan-county-north-carolina-teen-rescued/275-95160397-8bb2-488d-876a-7a61d0a7ab77?fbclid=IwAR1sJXbEKvnDuIUj-LM0ndTaHMiMbLjkbcvn-XmUi3-uJWbaPr-iEGEG1dw

https://www.salisburypost.com/2024/03/06/ohio-man-charged-with-statutory-sex-offense-allegedly-met-15-year-old-on-social-media-before-driving-to-nc/

Hi Folks. Let me say first that your prayers, support and belief in our effort to stop human trafficking before it starts and help the victims and survivors keeps us motivated to press on. The month of February has been another busy time for Project Light. Your support allowed us to offer four of our outstanding law enforcement officers three days of human trafficking training in Raleigh. I was able to also attend the training and it was a valuable learning experience. We visited and participated with the Youth4Abolition human trafficking club at South Rowan HS. What a great group of students. We are pleased that Project Light can assist in supporting this club. The big news is our Human Trafficking Rally Cry at Livingstone College on Saturday April 27th from 10-12. The  free event will be in the auditorium.  We want to fill all 1,100 seats.. Thank you to Dr. Anthony Davis, the 13th President of Livingstone College, for this partnership. Please consider being a partner with Project Light. Just go on our new beautiful website and follow the instructions on the donate button. We will do the work. We need your help! Thank you Pastor Charles Snow for your valuable assistance in completely redesigning our social media. See you soon, Jim

https://www.salisburypost.com/2024/02/11/operation-winter-guardian-nets-cleveland-man-on-child-sex-crimes/

Project Light is proud to announce that our founder, Dr. Jim Duncan has been asked to join the North Carolina Demand Reduction Task Force Leadership Team. ​ Dr. Duncan joins an illustrious group of people that include Pam Strickland, founder of NC Stop Human Trafficking; Niki Miller, Operations Specialist for Shield NC; Bren Journey, CEO of Legacy of Hope International; Scott Sally, Undersheriff (retired) from the Collier County, Sheriff's Office, FL.; and Rickie Houston, Chief Program Officer at A Call to Men.

Livingstone College had a great kids gathering today at their Radio Station, FM 107.1. The children ranged in age from 4-15. It was well planned, and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. ​ Project Light Rowan was invited to speak to the older children about Human Trafficking. We asked the kids if they knew the Help Me hand sign. Many knew and displayed the sign. Very encouraging. We also discussed the Do’s and Don’ts to protect ourselves from the trafficking perpetrators. ​ Finally, we discussed the dangers of the internet and how and why to be careful. Project Light Rowan gave the children a gift package which included a toothbrush. We suggested that when they brush their teeth, they think about brushing off all the websites suspected of being harmful. ​ We were honored to be a part of this great day. Thank you, Mz Good Newz and Livingstone College.

On May 31, Project Light presented the essentials of human trafficking to the program staff of Disability Rights and Resources in Charlotte. Three staff attended in person, while two attended via Zoom Video Communications. DR&R is the Center for Independent Living that advocates the rights and the independence of people with disabilities of any nature serving Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, and Union counties. Their mantra is: FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE… ADVANCING INDEPENDENCE. Although “the basics” were covered, the presentation stressed that as an advocate for people with disabilities, DR&R serves as a critical “protective factor” for a population at high risk for trafficking. The “red flag” signs of trafficking were presented, as were various actions to be taken if staff encountered the existence of possible trafficking. Project Light will follow up with the Program Director with additional information regarding trafficking resources in their area and ascertain if additional training might be desired for staff and/or DR&R clients. Jim

Project Light Rowan set up a booth at the Nazareth Fun Fest on June 3rd. We were able to make contact with several folks and educate them on human trafficking. A special game was set up with a spinning wheel, and youngsters mainly played the game. They had to read the do’s or don’ts regarding how to protect themselves from human trafficking predators. It was a great success! Special thanks to Filltech and Nazareth staff for their support. See something, Say something. Jim

Clayton Homes in Rockwell employs around 300 employees. The employees voted on what nonprofit they would like to support this year, and two were chosen. Duncan Baker is a supporter of Project Light Rowan and is battling against labor and sex and human trafficking. He circulated information to his fellow employees, and PLR was selected as one of the recipients. We were invited to their company meeting this morning and presented a check FOR $11,000.00. Wow, what a blessing and answered prayer. Please thank any employee you meet from Clayton. Jim

The Mission of Project Light Rowan: Awareness, Precautions, Reporting Human Trafficking. We are very active in getting the Awareness of Human Trafficking out to our community and beyond. A big thank you to all who support our efforts. PLR was recently on iHeart radio for a 30-minute interview, supported Rowan Helping Ministries in providing needed items to folks, and comforted them with words of encouragement. ​ We also presented to the children at Nazareth Children’s Home. PLR will have a booth at the Fun Fest at Nazareth on June 3rd. Our Celebration Fundraiser will be on August 18th and will include great food, entertainment, testimonials from survivors, and a live auction. Tickets are available now.  See Jim or Linda before they are all sold. ​ More great news in the newsletter next month. ​ Please pray for the victims. Survivors and for Project Light Rowan as we fight against this terrible human trafficking. ​ Jim

PROJECT LIGHT ROWAN PARTNERS WITH THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS: Polaris The Blue Campaign North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission Stop Human Trafficking NC Demand Reduction Task Force Present Age Ministries Family Crisis Counsel Terri Hess Child Advocacy Center One Love Nazareth Child and Family Connection Department of Social Security United Way of Rowan County Capstone Recovery Safe Houses Law Enforcement Local Churches The Lantern

Project Light Rowan has been busy this year. We have settled into our new 101 W Main Street office in Rockwell. Come see us. We have been invited to make presentations to several agencies. For example, the Woodleaf Civitan Club, Rowan Rotary, two presentations to our local DSS, Nazareth Children’s Center, Milford Hills Methodist Church, and a few podcasts. Project Light Rowan is also a State Demand Reduction Task Force board member. We will fully sponsor three of our fine law enforcement officers to a three-day seminar on Human Trafficking in Raleigh this August. This is huge, and we couldn’t do it without your financial support and prayers. We are working with Safe Houses and most of our local agencies regarding Human trafficking. Special thanks to Livingstone and Catawba College for their outstanding support. We couldn’t do without them. Project Light Rowan is preparing for a fundraising gala on August 13th at the beautiful Garrison Place off of Providence Church Road. It will include a great meal, entertainment, and a live auction. More on that later. We have 11 teams pertaining to anti-Human trafficking, and we need your help to be on a team. We also need volunteers to work in the office to keep regular hours. Project Light Rowan is a volunteer organization with no paid staff at this time. WE NEED YOU! Jim   704-223-6143 704-202-8143