Two Methodists, a Hindu, a Catholic, and an Episcopalian walk into a bar ... In Ridgewood, New Jersey, that's not the beginning of a bad joke. Instead, it's the beginning of a local movement to end human trafficking and a number of related global problems. And it's what happens when five women have the audacity to plan an epic event to engage their community in fighting human trafficking.
The event was the brainchild of Susanne Ziskis and four other women who make up Evening Dialogue, an inter-faith spiritual growth and discipline group. While the diverse group usually focuses on sharing their faith traditions and embracing common values like gratitude and forgiveness, they took a brief departure from their normal agenda at Ziskis's suggestion by reading Nicholas Kristof's human trafficking book Half the Sky. After delving into and discussing the stories in the book, the group felt simultaneously overwhelmed by tragedy and determined to respond.
So they began to plan the event that eventually blossomed into Ridgewood Cares: A Festival of Opportunities. They networked around their community, calling both local and international organizations, and even printing ads for the event on paper place mats at the town's most popular restaurant. They picked a day in November to host what would be a trade show for nonprofits, complete with a film festival, interactive dance performances, and a Fair Trade cafe.
According to Ziskis, the women knew that Ridgewood Cares was a success before the event was even held. And it's true the enthusiasm for fighting human trafficking in the town was infectious leading up to the big day. For example, a photographer from the local paper covering the event planning process learned Polaris Project's greatest need was clean underwear for women rescued from sex trafficking. She showed up at the festival with two giant Rubbermaid tubs of underwear she'd collected for the organization. The preparation also re-invigorated another local anti-trafficking group that had gone dormant in the previous year.
But that didn't give the ladies of Evening Dialogue an excuse to slack off. Ridgewood Cares ultimately inspired 63 organizations, 150 participants, and around 400 attendees spend a beautiful fall day fighting human trafficking and related issues. The mantra of the day was to celebrate efforts to fight trafficking and connect people and organizations in a dynamic, meaningful way. Attendees had the opportunity to meet representatives from organizations and hear speakers, donate to projects and programs, volunteer with local organizations, and share their passion with like-minded people. As one participant said early in the morning, "This day hasn't even begun and it's already a success. Just to be here, to see all these people, and to be able to interact with them ... is incredible."
Evening Dialogue started with a small idea — to do something concrete to address the human trafficking they read about — and it grew to be pretty big. Now, two other counties in New Jersey have approached Zizkis and asked how they can duplicate Ridgewood Cares in their area. And they've received a number of requests to make the Ridgewood event an annual one. If you're interested in learning more about Ridgewood Cares or planning a similar event in your area, check out their Facebook page.
Ridgewood Cares was successful on a number of levels, but it's greatest accomplishment might be the simple fact that one day in November, five women of different faiths made a mutual commitment to changing the world that reverberated through their community. As an added bonus, two other women — a Buddhist and a Unitarian — became interested in Evening Dialogue and are now considering joining. The women are looking forward to the group's growth and continued diversity. But first, they're refocusing on their next spiritual discipline ... Sabbath rest.
GOT A TIP FOR US? Is there a story or campaign in your area that we'd want to know about? E-mail us at humantraffickingtips@change.org
Photo credit: Ridgewood Cares (with permission)
Amanda Kloer is a Change.org Editor and has been a full-time abolitionist in several capacities for seven years. Follow her on Twitter @endhumantraffic
Interfaith Group Tackles Trafficking in New Jersey | End Human Trafficking | Change.org
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