Bringing hope to the enslaved

CORAL GABLES � In today�s society, it is difficult to fathom that human trafficking and enslavement are not only alive and well but flourishing. The Glory House of Miami is an effort by a group of Miamians who are concerned not only about the fast-growing industry of human trafficking here, but also about the victims� restoration back to a joyful and fruitful life.  

�An organization called Free the Slaves has estimated that there are about 27 million people under modern-day slavery, at any given moment today,� said Dr. Roza Pati, associate professor of Law and executive director of the Graduate Program in Intercultural Human Rights at St. Thomas University School of Law.

�About 800,000 victims are trafficked across state borders internationally each year,� added Pati, who is also the director of the Human Trafficking Academy for the university.

�We want to help the victims by providing a home and safe environment where they can be healed and restored through a Christian approach,� said Betty Pelleya, president of the board of The Glory House. �Many of us are learning how to be mentors now so that as we secure the funding and the house, we can then be prepared to help these young women whose dignity needs to be restored, physically and spiritually.�

Recently created, this non-profit is beginning to gain momentum by conducting fundraisers in private homes to build awareness and educate people about this very sensitive yet critical subject.  

�We don�t want to acknowledge that this is happening in our world, our society and in even in our own neighborhoods,� said Valli Leone, lay minister and parishioner at St. Justin Martyr Church in Key Largo. �Just think � when the Super Bowl is held annually, these girls are flown into the event, against their will. Remember, these young women are someone�s daughters. We have to put an end to this human indignity.�

The Glory House will be the only faith-based home in Miami that will work to restore to freedom and health, in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, those rescued from sexual slavery. To that end, organizers are working to raise $500,000 to purchase the home, maintain it and hire the staff to work with the young women.  

�We want to work with these young women for 12 to 18 months in a safe and caring environment,� said Maria Vadia, parishioner at St. Louis Church in Pinecrest.  �These young women need our help. They need shelter, not juvenile detention centers.�

Florida is the third state in the nation, led by only Texas and California, that unknowingly hosts this ungodly trade.  

�I was one of those young girls that was exploited starting when I was 13 years old,� said Katariina Rosenblatt, who spoke during a fundraiser at the Coral Gables home of Antonio and Conchi Argiz.  �I became involved with a false friend, was drugged and exploited through organized crime. I was misled by the supposed glamour, and then I was threatened and drugs were planted in my purse if I tried to get away.�

�Twenty years ago, there was no such thing as awareness of human trafficking,� said Rosenblatt, who is now a mentor and life coach for those who are just beginning to transition back to a more normal life.  

�In 1992, Michelle Gillen came to meet with me to ask for St. Thomas University�s participation in this issue,� said Msgr. Franklyn Casale, president of the university.  �Our involvement has helped raise the profile of this issue, and now, going beyond awareness to help these victims out of servitude and into new lives.�

�We want to provide a loving and nurturing environment for these girls so they can begin to trust again,� said Pelleya. �We will have a house mother to run the day-to-day activities as well as to provide peer support. We are also developing a strong mentoring network so that each woman will have at least three mentors to be there for her as the first ring of protection. With Jesus Christ as our guide, we will help them build lasting and productive relationships. And we need the community of faithful people to work with us in this endeavor,� said Pelleya.

For more information, visit www.thegloryhouseofmiami.org.