Human trafficking is a growing problem in southwestern Ontario, including the Golden Horseshoe. Easy highway access makes it easy for teens to be groomed and then traded for sex, often leaving girls with nothing.
That’s where the Junior League of Hamilton-Burlington (JLHB) comes in. Chantal Lachance joined Annette Hamm on Morning Live to discuss what the organization is doing to support survivors.
The JLHB is leading a backpack drive to support survivors of human trafficking. The initiative runs until Nov. 25.
“When a survivor exits their exploitative environment, they don’t have any personal belongings,” said Lachance, who is the community impact committee co-chair for the JLHB. “Even the clothes on their back could be owned by their trafficker or these items may be triggering to the survivor. With these backpacks, we’re providing a sense of dignity and pride of ownership with these items.”
The items most in need include: pajamas; jogging pants; shirts; undergarments; socks; toothbrushes and toothpaste; dental floss; shampoo and conditioner; hairbrushes and combs; bodywash; and deodorant.
These items will be placed in backpacks, and then distributed by the Hamilton Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition.
To donate products, contact Wendy Powell at wdpowell1955@gmail.com.
To have a donation box at your business, contact Chantal Lachance at communityimpact@juniorleague.ca.
To support this initiative financially, donate here.
Donation boxes are located throughout Hamilton and Burlington. Check their website often as locations may be added.
- The Nest – 171 Locke St. in Hamilton
- Scolys Hometown Market – 178 Nebo Rd. in Hamilton
- St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church – 70 James St. South in Hamilton
- Melrose United Church – 86 Homewood Ave. in Hamilton
- Stoney Creek United Church – 1 King St. West in Stoney Creek
- Harper’s Garden Centre – 1039 Wilson St. East in Dundas
- St. John’s Anglican Church – 272 Wilson St. East in Ancaster
- Magnolia House Spa in Waterdown – 20 Main St. in Waterdown
- Eden Tile – 4060 Fairview St. in Burlington
- St. Matthew-on-the-Plains Anglican Church – 126 Plains Rd. East in Burlington
