Mail - judybenedict@outlook - Jasmine Road

The Vine: Spreading the Story of Jasmine Road SPRING 2018

Spring 2018

Why Take Action?Sex trafficking continues to grow in

Greenville County, but Jasmine Roadcan help end the cycle. We are

committed to healing, empowering andemploying survivors.

Greenville County had the largestnumber of reported cases of humantrafficking in 2017.

[SC Human Trafficking Task Force, 2017 AnnualReport]

Faith-based and communityorganizations can help end trafficking.

Announcing New Jasmine Road

Executive Director, Beth Messick

Jasmine Road <[email protected]>

Fri 3/23/2018 8:11 AM

To:Judy Benedict <[email protected]>;

Mail - [email protected] https://outlook.live.com/owa/?path=/mail/search/rp

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Click here to read more!

[U. S. Department of Health & Human ServicesOffice on Trafficking in Persons]

In 2017 the SC Human TraffickingTask Force named Jasmine Roadamong the solutions to the lack ofresidential facilities for traffickingvictims in SC.

[SC Human Trafficking Task Force, 2017 AnnualReport]

Ways You Can Help

Special Requests:

We are looking for Journey Partners! Please pledge a monthly recurring gift tohelp sustain Jasmine Road. To make yourpledge, please click the "Donate" linkabove.

We are now asking for gift cards toWal-Mart, Publix, & Chik-Fil-A, to helpprovide food and other incidentals for theJasmine Road women.

These can dropped off at the TriuneMercy Center Main Office betweenMonday and Thursday at 222 RutherfordStreet, or mailed to Jasmine Road at:

P. O. Box 25452Greenville, SC 29616

Please help us stock the pantry for thewomen we are welcoming in May! Anynon-perishable food items areappreciated, such as: peanut butter,canned goods, pasta and sauce, coffee,tea, condiments, & spices.

We are also accepting paper products andcleaning supplies. This would be a greatproject for groups to do on an ongoing

Dear Friends of Jasmine Road,

I am very pleased to announce that the Board of Directors ofJasmine Road has selected Beth Messick to be the new ExecutiveDirector. Her official start date will be March 19, 2018. Beth waspart of the original leadership team that created the vision forJasmine Road. She was already working to provide casemanagement services and other resources to victims of sexualexploitation through an organization that she founded in 2015called Emerson's Rest. When she became employed by TriuneMercy Center as a Restoration Advocate she incorporated thisentity into the program at Triune where she works in localjails and with the criminal justice system to advocate for femalevictims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

A lifelong resident of Greenville, Beth has dedicated her career toher passion of bringing hope and healing to forgotten andunderserved populations. She received her B. A. in Psychologyfrom Furman University and is a Certified Clinical TraumaProfessional. She began her career 30 years ago working withpregnant teenagers for Piedmont Council for Prevention of ChildAbuse, an organization that partnered to found the current JulieValentine Center. She went on to found a Christian counselingministry that worked in partnership with local churches to offercounseling to sexually abused women, and later became theWellness Director of the Caine Halter YMCA.

In a recent conversation Beth conveyed that "it has beena lifelong dream to create a restoration home for womenand I want to do everything I can to make Jasmine Road asuccess".

We are so thrilled that Beth has accepted this role and lookforward to continuing this amazing journey with her leadership.

With Excitement,

Kathryn Norwood, Jasmine Road Board Chair

Listen to Beth's recent interview with 106.3 Word


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basis!

If you have items to donate, please [email protected] to coordinatedrop-off.

Want MoreInformation?

[email protected]

www.jasmineroad.org

Jasmine Road StaffBeth Messick, Executive Director

Leigh Barton, Program Assistant

Board of Directors

Kathryn Norwood, Board Chair

Leanne Jaskwhich, CPA, Treasurer

Landra Jennings, Secretary

Sonya Brooks, Director

Kate Cramer, Director

Jennifer Farish, Director

Grace Pouch, Director

Jane Price, LPC, Director

Ashley Reynolds, Director

Marsha Wallace, Director

Save the Date!Thursday, October 18th,2018

Please join us for the SecondAnnual Rooted In Love

Luncheon at The YountsConference Center atFurman University.

Sponsorships and Tickets willbe available soon.

"Jasmine Roadies"


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Amy Sutherland, JD, Director Volunteer Opportunities For more information, email [email protected]

Now through May 5 Pop-Up Shop Preparation: Assist us inorganizing and marketing the Pop-Up Shop

April 17 Volunteer Orientation: overview of Sexual Exploitationand Human Trafficking for interested potential volunteers, pleaseRSVP here!

May 5 Pop-Up Shop: Upscale resale shop featuring accessories& home accents, benefiting Jasmine Road

A Very Dedicated Volunteer:

Landra Jennings

Although Landra Jennings walks through Jasmine Road's safehouse with a pride of ownership, she is quick to give credit toothers who helped. "It was a community effort," she insists asshe rattles off a list of names of individuals who offered pro bonoservices or volunteered in various ways. Katherine Russell Selvywas especially instrumental as she provided many hours ofinterior design services. Perhaps it was her MBA fromNorthwestern University or the years she worked as amanagement consultant that prepared Landra for this unique roleas the project manager of Jasmine Road's safe house. She isobviously the right volunteer for this job but the asset that shinesbrightest is not on her resume. It is her passion for JasmineRoad's mission.

Landra's journey began when she visited Thistle Farms inTennessee, a nonprofit with a similar mission. She was deeplytouched after hearing one woman's story about her road torestoration. Driving back from Nashville Landra says that sheknew Jasmine Road's safe house "was the right place" to investher time and energy.

As details come together, Landra awaits the house's openingsoon. She has been a shepherdess, watching and helping asfunding was secured, permits obtained, bids reviewed andmaterials were purchased. She lovingly herded volunteers as theycarefully crafted much of this house of healing and hope. Startingwith a benchmarking process her committee established importantguidelines for things such as a minimum square footage persleeping area, safety and parking requirements, therapeutic


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colors, and other important details.

Landra says, "The volunteers have lavished lovethroughout the house."

The beautiful and serene atmosphere is designed to encouragehealing for women whose lives have been bought and sold oftenat the price of their health, self-esteem and dignity. Thecommittee even avoided the use of items, such as motel toiletries,that might be trigger points for traumatic memories.

This safe house speaks volumes about Landra and her respect forthe women that will live there. It is more than a shelter, morethan a house. It will be their home. She wants them to feel safe,peaceful, and valued. Soon this house will become a homebecause this volunteer took the time to get involved.

by Jo Maypole

Our Contact InformationJasmine RoadP.O. Box 25452


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Greenville, SC 29616864-325-5945

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Mail - judybenedict@outlook - Jasmine Road