Campaign Against Human Trafficking-Southshore – Fostering community and faith-integrated actions to end Human Trafficking in Hillsborough County, FL

About CAHT-SouthShore

Yes, it is here. In Tampa, in Wimauma, Ruskin, Brandon, Sarasota and beyond. It's where human trafficking is going on. It is in the form of enforced labor, domestic slavery, sex-trafficking. It is a horrific crime against humanity, second only to drug trafficking as a national crime. As an organization, the Campaign Against Human Trafficking-SouthShore is focused on the sex trafficking of minor children, mostly girls, some as young as 12 or 13 years of age. They may have been picked up in malls, off the streets, or from the Internet. They may believe they are headed for a fun afternoon, a cute date, or maybe they ran away and are found by a pimp (usually within 48 hours of being on the street). Some have been labeled as “throw-away” children, those whose parents have kicked them out or sold them off. Whatever the case, these are OUR children, OUR grandchildren. They are used by others in an inhumane way, forced to perform sex acts multiple times daily, often beaten, medically neglected, missing out on school and normal friendships and real love. Once taken into the sex trade, they have a life expectancy of only 7 years. CAHT-SouthShore formed several years ago to help bring awareness to this crime. In 2014 we were granted Internal Revenue status as a charitable organization, a 501(c)(3), so we could raise funds to expand our goals of helping the children. As you go through this website, you will see the many things we do and hopefully see ways you, too, could help.

Our Focused Approach -- Awareness, Education, Victims Services & Fundraising

Awareness Team

Awareness is one of the most important keys to beating Human Trafficking. Our Awareness Team is dedicated to bringing to the community the horrible statistics of this criminal activity at the local, state, national, and international levels. Residents need to know the indignity of modern day human slavery, whether it be forced prostitution, domestic service, labor, or other sexual activities. Teams are available to provide local clubs and organizations with programs on this subject.

Education Team

Our education team is working to establish a relationship with area schools so that we might present prevention programs. We are volunteering to mentor and tutor students in local schools and are working with the schools on their goals to upgrade the student materials and environment in which they learn. Many of our members are in the schools on a weekly basis to work in classrooms and with individual at-risk children.

Fundraising Team

Our fundraising team raises money to support our vision and our mission by planning spring and fall events. The “Quacktacular” is our spring event and our fall event varies yearly. The money raised at our fall event this year will go to a safe home for victims. Planning and ticket selling are two big jobs of this team.

Victim Services Team

The Victim Services Team (VST) works to assemble Rescue Packs containing clothing and daily necessities for child and teenage victims of sex trafficking. The Rescue Packs are given to the FBI and law enforcement task forces that are directly involved with victim rescues. We also supply household furnishings and equipment to area agencies that provide shelter for these victims. The VST also helps provide, when possible, access to professional services (medical, dental, legal) as well as recreational opportunities such as picnics, bowling, swimming, etc. We rely on donations and fundraising to achieve these goals.

Our Mission

To support the fight against Human Trafficking by providing awareness and prevention activities along with funding needed tangibles for at-risk youth and safe homes and rehabilitation centers for rescued survivors. The Blue Heart is a United Nations symbol representing the sadness of those who are trafficked while reminding us of the cold heartedness of those who buy and sell fellow human beings.

May 2018 President’s Letter

“I CAN STILL MATTER” As time passes on I turn the next page To discover a new me while I continue to age. I may no longer be Who I was long ago But I still can matter — That much I know. With a new set of tools I have…

Amazon Smile

YOU CAN NOW HAVE YOUR AMAZON PURCHASES HELP OUR CAUSE “Amazon is tripling the donation amount to 1.5% when customers make their first eligible smile.amazon.com purchase from March 12 – 31″. Read about the promotion – – > AmazonSmile 1.5% Promo . Please consider making your Amazon purchases…

Sunday Funday – Hamburger Mary’s Bingo

Well, it’s that time again! Time for a bit of Sunday Funday, that is, as we gather to raise funds to continue our efforts in the fight against Human Trafficking! When: August 12th, games start at 6p.m Where: Hamburger Mary’s, Brandon What: Bingo with prizes, raffles, and drawings! Reservations are recommended, especially if you…

WSCQ-96.3 FM Interview with Annie Garrison

President Annie Garrison was interviewed by Lynne Conlan, Executive Director, Sun City Center Chamber of Commerce recently. Interview was aired on Thursday, June 14th on Talk about the Town. Want to listen? Check it out: wscqfm.com/radio.html Click on About the Town in the blue banner. Then select Annie Garrison.

Wimauma Opportunity Center – Grand Opening

Dance for Hope

Please join us Saturday, July 14th, from 7 to 9 pm for an evening of fun — listening and dancing to Viki Ryan, who provides live music from “Sinatra to Streisand, to Motown to Uptown Funk.” In addition to all the fun, you’ll be helping a good cause –…

Donations Help Support Local Non-Profit Organizations

From 2016 to 2018 CAHT-SouthShore was able to help many Tri-County community nonprofit organizations. Your Donations make this possible. Here is a list of the many organizations supported with funding, supplies and volunteers: Advocates Against Human Trafficking AMI Kids Bridging Freedom Children’s Home Enterprising Latinas Gannon College Human Trafficking…

Nine Apps Parents Should Know About

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office warns about Nine apps that could leave your children vulnerable to predators! Visit the WFLA Channel 8 website for more information: WFLA Channel 8 – NINE APPS

Donation-SCC Shell Crafters

CAHT-SOUTHSHORE ACCEPTS DONATION FROM SCC SHELL CRAFTERS CLUB The Campaign Against Human Trafficking – SouthShore was recently chosen by the Sun City Center Shell Crafters Club as the recipient of a $500 contribution. CAHT Treasurer, John Mitchell, accepted the donation from Shell Crafters President, Laura Akins, and Vice President,…

Tiptoe Through the Two Lips Bingo

We are winners again! We are the charity recipients again from YE Royal Krewe of Charlotte De Berry Organization. Event is called “Tiptoe through the Two Lips Bingo”. Bingo Night for Charity at Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor City. The event is May 16th. Reservations recommended! Click Hamburger Mary’s for more info! Good laughs,…

Mending Broken Hearts – Update

Our first social and fundraiser, Mending Broken Hearts, was held April 29th at SCC Chamber of Commerce, and was attended by over 100 guests. Everyone sampled international wines from PRP while nibbling on paired appetizers catered by Enterprising Latinas. Dayve Stewart, saxophone musician, provided great jazz. 35 silent auction items were bid…

Get Help. Report a Tip. Request Services.

1 (888) 373-7888 National Human Trafficking Resource Center SMS: 233733 (Text "HELP" or "INFO") Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week Languages: English, Spanish and 200 more languages Website: traffickingresourcecenter.org