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.

CAHT Volunteer Questionnaire

President Annie Garrison handed out a one-page questionnaire at the New Member Orientation Meeting (Feb. 21) that will help her and the board focus on growing CAHT and fine-tuning some of our energies in a more productive way. So jump on the link and take a few minutes to let us know about…

Membership Renewal and Application 2018

It’s Time to renew your CAHT Membership!! Start 2018 with an invaluable gift to human trafficking survivors -help them find their voice and lost freedom!!! Annual Membership is only $20. Visit the MEMBERSHIP page for full details, more information, and the application. The application and renewal is also HERE –…

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…

President’s Notes-March 2018

President’s Notes – March 2018 Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. J. M. Barrie March was a sunshine month of hope and renewal for CAHT! We received donations from United Methodist Church as one of their Mission of the Month recipients, St. John…

CAHT Membership Renewal Reminder

Your membership is an annual contribution to all the great funding we offer to area safe and rehab homes for human trafficking victims as well as the education/prevention programs we provide in our schools and our vulnerable community members. Your $20 is part of our success equation. Please submit your…

UMC Check Presentation

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PRESENTS MISSION OF THE MONTH CHECK TO CAHT Each year the United Methodist Church in Sun City Center selects twelve missions to support. Each selected mission becomes a “Mission of the Month” and members of the congregation have the opportunity to monetarily support that mission. The Campaign…

Human Trafficking Bill Heads to Trump

IMPORTANT: Sex Trafficking Bill Heads to Trump, Over Silicon Valley Concerns – The New York Times article…. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/21/business/sex-trafficking-bill-senate.html

FunFest Day at SCC Community Association

Photo of FunFest Day at SCC community association, Saturday, March 17th. Organizers Jim and Sandy McDermott, Bonnie and Bob Doll, and John Mitchell. Sandy donated a beautiful watercolor, called The Marsh. We raised over $400 and made wonderful new friends for our campaign against human trafficking.

Wine Tasting Gig! Mark Your Calendar

It’s in the Works! Wine sampling from PRP International Wines, paired with appetizers that complement the wines. This is our special time to say a heartfelt thanks to all our donors and members who support the increased need for funding and other tangible services for the human trafficking organizations that…

UMC Pastor Charlie $3800 Check Presentation

UMC Pastor Charlie with some of the CAHT board members after presenting a check for $3800 at our 19th general meeting. Board members present are: Annie Garrison, Joan Kramer, John Mitchell, Bonnie Doll, Debbie Petrocelli and Melanie Grazoamp. Although board member, Jim McDermott, was there, he did not make it…

Stephanie Costolo, Pasco County Trafficking Free Zone Program

Stephanie Costolo, U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking’s program manager of the Pasco County Trafficking Free Zone Program, presenting a new way for communities to partner together in decreasing the demand for sex human trafficking at March 19th meeting.

Gail Littlefield and Joan Diehl Member Check-in

Gail Littefield and Joan Diehl at member check-in table, March 19th meeting.

Monique Payne Selah Freedom

Monique Payne sharing her experiences as a residential coach at one of Selah Freedom’s safe homes at the March 19th meeting.

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