rot She is a frequent speaker, televi-
sion guest and author of two books
about her story, The Slave Across the
Street and The Sacred Bath.
She is also the founder of SOAP
(Save Our Adolescents from
Prostitution), a nonprofit organization
that places wrapped bars of soap with
the number of a human trafficking
hotline in hotel room bathrooms in
locations where the crime is likely to
occur, such as large sporting events,
conventions and trade shows.
"The idea is to get the 800 number
to the girls when they're in their worst
moments:' Flores said.

Risk Factors
Flores told audience members there
are signs indicating that someone may
be involved in a human trafficking sit-
uation. These include false IDs, bruis-
es, a sudden influx of cash or jewelry,
recurring STDs, increased drinking or
drug use, depression or anxiety, dating
an older man and dropping grades or
frequent school absences.
States such as Michigan are at
higher risk for human trafficking due
to several factors, such as proximity to

LET ME
HELP YOU
LIVE THE
GOOD LIFE.

international borders, a large number
of colleges and universities, a sizeable
immigrant population, an extensive
highway system with numerous truck
stops, and an abundance of strip clubs
and other exploitative establishments.
Traffickers frequently find their vic-
tims at nail salons, ethnic restaurants,
malls, college campuses, highway rest
stops and through misleading ads
placed on sites such as Craigslist or
Backpage.com. Vulnerable women
with low self-esteem are more com-
monly targeted.
Kathy Cantor, NCJW state policy
advocate, said NCJW has been pro-
tecting women from this crime for
decades, when representatives from
the organization stood duty at Ellis
Island to prevent human traffickers
from preying on the new immigrants.
Carol Israel of West Bloomfield,
decided to attend the program after
reading Flores' book. "I don't know
how she could talk about it as calmly
as she did:' she said.

It starts by getting to know you.
Because the more I know about you the better I can help protect
what's important in your world. And be there for you when you
have a question or a concern. That's how I help people live the
good life right here in Michigan.

Shayna Levin
248-716-1001

46670 W. Pontiac Trail, Suite 6
Commerce Township
shaynalevin@allstate.com

Shayna and the staff at Lakes Area Insurance
wish you and your family a Happy New Year!

If you or anyone you suspect is a victim of
human trafficking, call (888) 373-7888 for
help from the national hotline.

Allstate.

GOOD HANDS for the GOOD LIFE

cs,

2

Subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co„ Allstate Insurance Co. © 2013 Allstate Insurance Co.

1947840

JFS Reaching Out To Shoah Survivors

OUR WELL MANNERED DOGS

TRAINING PROGRAMS ♦ PRIVATE BOARDING ♦ BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

A

national initiative to
strengthen services for
Holocaust survivors is play-
ing out locally through Jewish Family
Service. JFS has deployed a full-time
Americorps volunteer to conduct
research and connect with survivors in
Metro Detroit over the next year.
Michael Eisinger
will work with the
agency and the com-
munity to identify
unmet needs and
strengthen existing
programs for survi-
vors.
Approximately 25
Michael Eisinger
percent of survivors
currently live in poverty, compared
with the 9 percent poverty rate among
all citizens older than 65. The new ini-
tiative aims to help survivors in need
live and age with the dignity and com-
fort they deserve.
The JFS project is the local exten-
sion of a broader effort initiated by
the White House in January with
the appointment of Aviva Sufian as
the first U.S. Envoy for Holocaust
Survivor Services. In the months since,
AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers have
been mobilized by the Association of
Jewish Family & Children's Agencies,
which partnered with JFS to bring
Eisinger to Detroit.

Eisinger completed his master's
degree in Holocaust and genocide
studies from West Chester (Pa.)
University in 2014. Over the years,
he has examined genocide and its
effects on societies through programs
in Rwanda, Germany, the Czech
Republic and Poland.
Eisinger's first objective is to locate
and contact survivors not receiving
the services and assistance available
to them through Jewish commu-
nity institutions and the Conference
on Jewish Material Claims Against
Germany. Additionally, he will meet
with survivors to evaluate services
they are currently receiving and dis-
cuss services they would like to see
offered.
In order to reach out to the commu-
nity, assess needs and provide a venue
for survivors to voice their views,
Eisinger will host town hall meetings
around the region throughout October.
Survivors and other interested com-
munity members are invited to contact
him at JFS to learn about upcoming
town hall meetings and other opportu-
nities to share input.
Eisinger will be providing regular
updates about his work on his blog:
soontherewillbenomore.blogspot.com .
To reach Eisinger, call (248) 592-
2670 or email meisinger@jfsdetroit.
org.

4

.

v. N.‘,..."•

Birmingham

♦

Detroit ♦ Grosse Pointes

♦

Royal Oak

♦

Rochester

James F. Lessenberry, Behaviorist

28 Years Serving the Great Lakes Region

Animal Learning Systems

animallearningsystems.com
313.882.6180
248.236.9974

❑

JN

October 2 • 2014

17

