Thursday,  August 29, 2019

Human Trafficking: Human Tragedy, Human Hope

As part of the Renee Jones Empowerment Center, Sister has ministered for the past eight years with women and girls who have been trafficked for the commercial sex trade. As a personal support advocate who attends the special docket human trafficking court for adult women and the Safe Harbor Court for minors, Sister visits women who are incarcerated and maintains connections with them when they are in drug treatment facilities. Sister also cooperates with the Regional Human Trafficking Task Force by developing a continuing relationship with rescued victims as they move through the process of healing and recovery from trauma to a greater fullness of life and empowerment. Sister engages with women in a variety of therapeutic activities including support groups, art therapy, writing, and therapeutic movement and dance. She is part of street outreach in areas where women have an opportunity to make an initial contact and benefit from a variety of immediate services.    

Sr. Cecilia holds degrees from Notre Dame College, Kent State University and the University of Dayton and was a secondary school teacher and administrator, religious formation director and then Provincial Superior of the Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio.