The Agape House Blog-News

 

Blog by Rev. Kiti Ward

October  2018

SEATTLE WALK FOR FREEDOM 

Unbeknownst to many, Seattle is a hot spot for human trafficking. Please COME MARCH WITH US (8 blocks) on Oct 20th to show Seattle that we care about those young women and men who are being trafficked in Seattle and across the world.

YOUR participation matters. YOU being there will make a difference in the lives of our youth and in the climate of our community.

I am so very proud of Saraangelena Ward who happens to be my daughter but moreover is a powerhouse advocate and leader who is working tirelessly and being most effective in bringing together tons of people from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds to make this event, on behalf of the unseen and often forgotten, a great success. She and her team are determined to kick butt and be a part of eradicating human trafficking directly in this area and indirectly in the world.

We are so pleased at The Agape House Inc to be a featured local non-profit at this Walk for Freedom event. You can learn of more opportunities to partner with us there as well.

Oct 20th 2018 at 10 am.

2700 1st Ave Seattle

Wear black

Register (free): a21.org/seattle

More info: a21.org/walk

Donate: https://www.a21.org/fundraising/…/seattle-walk-for-freedom-…

 

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Blog by Rev. Kiti Ward

November  2018

Good Morning Dear Friends,

We want to sincerely thank you all for being on the frontlines with The Agape House. You have stayed, believed, prayed and given of your time and resources!
The Lord has used you to help us provide a landmark fourteen (14) months of safe housing and educational opportunities to four young at-risk women of color. 
 
Rev. Kiti Ward
To Save a Life, To Save a World
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Sara Angelena's GivingTuesday Fundraiser for The Agape House Inc

Want to make a difference?

This GIVINGTUESDAY FACEBOOK AND PAYPAL will MATCH DONATIONS to nonprofits TODAY, November 27th, until their $7 million match max is met! Whatever you invest today, automatically doubles! Donations will be excitedly welcomed until Nov 30th—all tax deductible. 

The Agape House Inc was founded by an extraordinary visionary, deeply compassionate human and outstanding leader Kiti Ward (also my mom : )). The org is dynamically and effectively preventing girls who have aged out of foster care (18) and high risk for being trafficked or who are escaping human trafficking from being enslaved by providing them with the safe housing, mentor support, educational grants, and job training they need to prevent them from being especially susceptible targets. 

This Giving Tuesday, I'm honored to raise money for The Agape House Inc and I want to invite anyone who is interested in supporting their work to be able to too. It's a decision you will not regret. I can say with 100% confidence, your contribution will make an impact.

EVERY donation, regardless of size, matters because every little bit goes towards the incredible work Agape House is doing for a girl who matters and is looking for a way to survive. Thank you!

With love,

Sara Angelina Ward

 

https://theagapehouseinc.org/

How much would you like to donate?
$20    $50    $100    $250    Other

Donate

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A Blog by Rev. Kiti Ward

December   2018

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Blessings, goodwill, and peace to all.

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A Blog by Rev. Kiti Ward

January 2019

For Lily*, her life was taken away from her.

For millions of people, the experience of home is threatened or destroyed by modern-day slavery. And this must change.

Lily grew up in a rural village in the Mekong region. Together with her siblings, Lily was trafficked from her home country to Thailand by her aunt at the age of 7. She had never been to school and was extremely malnourished and abused at the time of trafficking.

Upon arrival in Thailand, her brothers were sold to a fishing boat and before long, she was used for sex by fishermen who were passing through.

Her life was not her own. She was forced to service men for 2 years before being identified as a victim of human trafficking.




Shortly after being found, Lily was connected with A21 and brought into our Child Advocacy Center in Pattaya. Her physical and mental trauma was extensive, and our team worked to provide critical care to Lily.

Lily had always wanted to attend school and the A21 team helped her to get enrolled. Today, she is learning Thai and taking dance lessons.

There’s hope for Lily’s future. But there are still many more children who need to be assisted to safety. 

For Freedom,
The A21 Team 

or

Donate to Agape House

 

Kiti Ward
Executive Director & CEO
The Agape House
206-579-6648
To Save a Life, To Save a World

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A Blog by Rev. Kiti Ward

September  2019

Good Morning Friends and Supporters of The Agape House.

 
it is with great anticipation and joy that we welcome you to the October 1st Agape House Meeting at the 2100 Building from 6-8 P.M.
 
Because of an great outpouring of interest we are asking that you consider where you believe you would be best utilized, the place where you feel your skills will be best developed. We appreciate you giving to the House; we want to give back to you through your efforts to help our youth.
 
The Agape House Board, chaired by Ron Ward and The Agape House Advisory Committee chaired by Royal Alley Barnes are two very powerful and needful decision making bodies chaired by two of the most effective and esteemed community leaders in King County.
 
Your efforts will, regardless of which you choose, positively and proactively impact the lives of women of color (especially black women) between the ages of 17-25 who are homeless and/or aging-out of foster care; those who are fodder/victims for being sexually trafficked, (The FBI has called the foster care system the pipeline for sexual trafficking.) the overrepresented, the underserved.
 
The job descriptions for both will be in your inbox before the meeting of the 1st so that you are able to make a thoughtful decision. The agenda for the meeting is simply the 1) recognition of the incredible people in the room as well as 2) making the selection of either the Board or the Advisory Committee and 3) the identification of roles and responsibilities within each group.
 
Please RSVP, to me privately, by September 29th (Sunday).
 
Let us know if you require Conference Call capability.
 
Please feel free to call me if you have questions (206-579-6648)
 
Thank You.
Kiti 
Rev. Kiti Ward
Executive Director
Agape House
206-579-6648
To Save a Life, To Save a World

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A Blog by Rev. Kiti Ward

October  2019

Apply to the GiveBIG Nonprofit Advisory Council by October 10!

The GiveBIG Nonprofit Advisory Council (GiveBIG Council) provides a strong voice for nonprofits in the planning and success of the GiveBIG Washington campaign. Council members are nonprofit leaders and professionals who advise on sponsorship, media engagement, promotional strategies, fundraising training, and the conduct of the GiveBIG campaign. 

Why join the GiveBIG Council?

  • Members and their nonprofits will be featured on the GiveBIG Washington and 501 Commons websites and newsletter publications
  • Members' nonprofit will be given priority when selecting images and stories for the GiveBIG landing page, social media, and media partners
  • Members gain valuable experience in advising on a multi-million dollar campaign and will be endorsed on LinkedIn upon the successful completion of their term
  • Council Members will be invited to the GiveBIG Sounders FC Match and the post-event GiveBIG Washington Sponsor's Breakfast Briefing.

What do GiveBIG Council members do?

  • Work to expand nonprofit participation in GiveBIG Washington
  • Advise on media strategy and identify media connections
  • Identify, cultivate, and help solicit prospective corporate, foundation, and individual GiveBIG Washington sponsors
  • Review and advise on strategies for increasing public participation in the campaign, including media promotions, social media, publicity, and celebrity engagement
  • Provide input on fundraising training services for participating organizations
  • Assist in campaign evaluation and recommending improvements to the conduct of the campaign
  • Represent the interests of their sub-sector and nonprofit size
Learn more and apply by 10/9!

GiveBIG Washington Key Dates

October 10, 2019: Applications for the GiveBIG Council close.
October 29, 2019: Preparing for GiveBIG Washington 2020 Webinar
January 2020: Registration Opens
May 6, 2020: GiveBIG Washington

Need Help?

The GiveBIG Support Team is standing by to assist. Please note that more information about how GiveBIG Washington 2020 will be conducted is forthcoming. 

You can reach us at 206-682-6704 or givebig@501commons.org.

Dear Friends and Supporters of The Agape House,

Thank you for your commitment to the Agape House at this critical time of undertaking the next plateau.

 
Unfortunately:
THE OCTOBER 1ST (TUESDAY) MEETING BE RESCHEDULED. THERE WILL BE NO HOUSE MEETING THIS TUESDAY.
 
Please note the location of our Agape House meetings are established:
2100 BUILDING (2100 24TH AVE S. SEATTLE)
 
You are a part of a diverse and interesting group of people who we are blessed to know are engaged to help to change the trajectory of the lives of 18-24 year old marginalized women of color who are at-risk.
 
Shortly, you will receive a Doodle document which will inquire about whether Wednesday the 16th, Thursday the 17th, Wednesday the 23rd, or Thursday the 24th (all meetings scheduled for 6:00 to 8:00 PM) would be best for you.
 
If you know now what works, you can simply contact me with the information, by October 10th, and I will register it for you. We are working towards fulfilling a quorum.
Thank you again. You can be sure that your care for our youth today will translate into hope for them today, success for them and their children tomorrow.
 
Blessings,
 
Kiti,
 
Rev Kiti Ward
Executive Director
Agape House
To Save a Life, To Save a World
206-579-6648

www.theagapehouseinc.org

Please mark your calendar for: Wednesday,

October 30th

                                                  6-8 PM
                                                  2100 24th Ave. S. Seattle
                                                  RSVP 10/15/19
                                                  Bring Drinks/We Will Order Pizza
                                                  Phone Conferencing Available
                                                  Good Parking 
                                                  Follow the Signs 
Did You Know?  *The FBI calls the foster care system the pipeline to sexual trafficking. 
                           *In a 2 year review off suspected human trafficking incidents across the 
                           country, 94% of sex trafficking victims were female, 40% were Black and 
                           24% were Latin.
Thanks all.
Kiti

Rev Kiti Ward

Executive Director
Agape House
To Save a Life, To Save a World
206-579-6648
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Blog by Rev. Kiti Ward

November  2019

 

 

As with most issues surrounding prostitution and trafficking, nuance is necessary when discussing services and policing. In order to truly end the demand for commercial sex from children and other vulnerable populations, there must be a multi-disciplinary approach. We truly cannot arrest our way out of the problem. We must have quality comprehensive services and true economic alternatives available for sex workers. Additionally we must work to change our culture that accepts the commodification of the bodies of our children and other vulnerable populations.

**** Sex worker can be an appropriate term for a seller of sex 18 years of age and older. Please remember that there is no such thing as an “underage sex worker”. Anyone under the age of 18 engaged in sex work is by federal definition a victim of human trafficking. Thank you. ****

Kelly Mangiaracina, JD

King County CSEC Task Force Coordinator

(pronouns: she, her, hers)

206.205.9534 / 206.477.7281 Office

206.601.5563 Cell

Kelly.Mangiaracina@KingCounty.Gov

King County: www.KingCountyCSEC.org

Statewide Resources: www.watraffickinghelp.org

https://crosscut.com/2019/10/alternatives-stretched-and-neighbors-angry-seattle-police-return-arresting-sex-workers

______________________

 

I'd like to personally thank the following people for their interest and help for the Agape House:

Anita C-W. / David of Farmboats  /  Traci B.  /  Judith H.  /  Lewis F.  /  Ron W.  /  Moni L.  /  Monique E.  /  Narima A.  /  Evie T.  /  Francis C.  /  Barbara J.  /  Judy de  /  Andrea C  /  Rory D.  /  Shaun H.  /  Shantail M.  /  Ashley M.B  /  Afia U.  /  Eric H.  /  Mary VC  /  Mary S.  /  Elaine  /  Betty J.  /  Deja W.  /  Dede G.  /  Larry G.  /  Rhonda G.  /  Angela M.  /  Anita. C.  /  Anita W.  /  Angela M.  Sue C.  /  M. Michelle  /  Jadina T.  /  Angie L  /  Carolyn Q  /  Mandy H.  /  Sam C.  /  Ruth S.

These are just a few of our supporters. Please email us if you have a "heart" for our youth. We need you on one of these committees. Thank you .

Rev. Kiti 206-579-5568.

Please also note that we are looking for those who are interested in serving as Board, At-Large or Advisory Members.

 

Kiti Ward ... Executive Director

Agape House
206-579-6648

 

crosscut.com/2019/10/alternatives-stretched-and-neighbors-angry-seattle-police-return-arresting-sex-workers

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Blog by Rev. Kiti Ward

December  2019

Thank you all for the ways in which you have helped The Agape House.
You can, for example buy gift certificates for the Agape House or attach your holiday buy on Amazon Smiles; iidentify The Agape House as the recipient of your purchasing (Please check Amazon’s literature.)
You may also send checks to The Agape House at PO Box 21623, Seattle Wa 98111.
Thank you again as we move forward for our youth.
Holiday Blessings to You and Yours,
Rev. Kiti
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Blog by Rev. Kiti Ward

January  2020

 

Dear Friends of  Agape House,

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving.

 

As you are aware we are now moving into our Third Phase of Agape House.

Phase 1 included, but was not limited to, formulation of policy, purpose, mission, establishment of goals and objectives, the acquisition of our 501c3, recruitment and development of board and volunteers, partnerships with other agencies, fund raising. 

Phase 2 included, but was not limited to, identification and rental of the 1st Agape House in Seattle, vetting of the program, recruitment of at-risk women, recruitment and training of volunteers, establishment of the house with women in residence with volunteers overseeing the efforts, fund raising efforts, public education and awareness.

Phase 3  is the stage we are presently in. This is, a result of the formerly good work completed by many of you. It is where we take off. It simply is doing what Steve Jobs of Apple said we do, “Build the airplane while we fly it”. We, at Agape House, have found this is not for the faint of heart.

 

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January 30th Event Screening of Shattered Dreams

 Sex trafficking is a significant problem in Pierce County and the average age of entry is 12 years old. It is critical for our community to become educated about the issue and to learn what your County is doing to respond to these crimes. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. In its recognition, the Sexual Assault Center for Pierce County invites you to attend a public screening of the Emmy-award winning documentary Shattered Dreams. Following the film, we will offer a panel of local professionals to respond to questions from the audience.

Come learn how you can help stop this cycle of violence and exploitation! Thursday, January 30th 2020 Doors open at 5:30pm Event time 6pm-8pm

Disclaimer: Content of this film is graphic and may be triggering to audience members. Be advised this film may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 12. Confidential advocates will be made available and directed to you if you need to speak with one during the event.

WHAT:                  Screening of Shattered Dreams

WHEN:                  Thursday, January 30, 2020

5:30 PM  8:00 PM

WHERE:                Stadium High School - Performing Arts Center

111 N E Street 

Tacoma, WA 98403 (map)

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Dear Board and Friends of

The Agape House,

What a fabulous year we have ahead of us!
The following are choices for the first meeting. Please show your preference by texting me, as soon as possible, at 206-579-6648.
This should take us no longer than two hours (agenda to follow):
Wednesday, January, 29th at 7:00 PM or 
Saturday, February 1st at 9:00 AM.
Looking forward to launching Phase Three of our program!
You all are blessings from God; your talents and time are incredible treasures that change lives of our young women.
_________________________

Blog by Rev. Kiti Ward

February & March  2020

 

 HOLISTIC HEALTH & WELL-BEING WALK-A-THON 2020

Sat, Mar 21,  7 – 9 AM

The Outlet Collection | Seattle
1101 Outlet Collection Way, Auburn, WA
From All events.in: Who's that lady? presents... The Holistic Health and Well-Being Walk-A-Thon! Promoting health and wellness, social engagement, and community support to live life well!
253 854-3630
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Blog by Rev. Kiti Ward

April & May  2020

 

Dear Friends and Family of Agape House,

Thank you for your support of The Agape House. Because of you, we have been able to offer housing and connections to training, education and employment for the 18-25 year-old Black and Brown woman through an early intervention program for the woman aging-out of foster care or is homeless or about to become homeless. 
This year we enthusiastically enter Phase 3 of our program for at-risk, marginalized, underserved women of color. We plan to provide health care services and hands-on job training. Our goal is to reach the community and youth in ways that make sense for them, are practical given these especially tough times of Covid-19 and beyond.
If you have not yet made a contribution through "Give Big" you may do so through today, May 5th and tomorrow, May 6th. The directions are go to:
          *.  www.givebigwa.org
          *   donate
          *   search bar for Find Organization..then
          *.  put in The Agape House Inc
          *   touch donate at bottom of the Agape House box
          *.  follow instructions
Thank you so much for making a difference in the trajectory of individual young women's lives. Thank you for helping us to get to her "before the streets do".
Additional information available upon request.
Thank you again from all of us.  
May God bless you and yours as you have blessed Agape House.
Kiti
Kiti Ward
Executive Director
The Agape House
To Save a Life, To Save a World
206-579-6648
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Blog by Rev. Kiti Ward

June & July  2020