The Manasseh Project began shortly after our community watched helplessly as a child we knew and cared for was trafficked in our city. Despite all of our efforts to find her and offer aid, we were unable and ill-equipped to address her needs and trauma. My wife, Marcy, and I began to diligently research Human Trafficking both globally and locally.

Last September, we presented Wedgwood Christian Services, my employer, with a plan to aid those caught in Human Trafficking and educate our community as to how it is indeed happening in West Michigan. After months of progress, we are slowly moving forward with a public awareness campaign. However, The Manasseh Project is not only an awareness organization. Our mission is played out on four fronts.

1- We intend to educate members of the judicial system (courts, probation officers, police officers, etc), social workers, and educators. We see these public servants as first responders.

2- We empower our youth to recognize and report traffickers and victims. We do so by both educating K-12 students, but also focusing on populations particularly at risk through special groups.

3- We invite churches, local social groups, and the business communities to raise awareness and funding for anti-Human Trafficking programming.

4- Open youth drop-in centers, victim shelters, and out-patient treatment for victims of sexual exploitation.

Essentially, by educating and challenging both adults and children, we will address both the supply (children) and demand (adults) of the Human Trafficking supply chain in West Michigan

Your gift will help us move this project off paper and into the community. We believe that through diligent community education, compassionate care for victims, and the communities commitment to living slave-free lives, we can stomp out slavery in West Michigan.