Ohio House Approves Human Trafficking Legislation

Columbus (AP) - Ohio lawmakers have approved a measure that increases penalties for human trafficking offenders and adds protections for victims.

The Ohio House unanimously endorsed the legislation Wednesday. 

The bill says minors or developmentally disabled people should be considered victims of human trafficking if they're recruited or held captive to engage in sexual activities.

House Speaker William Batchelder says that legislation gives authorities the tools they need to crack down on traffickers.

Among several other provisions, it requires offenders convicted of solicitation to register as sex offenders if the people they tried to lure are under 18 years old.

The crime of soliciting a minor who is younger than 18 or is developmentally disabled would increase from a misdemeanor to a felony offense.

The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.

6/27/13; THE COURIER, Findlay, Ohio

GOLFING FOR A CAUSE

NWO Health Partners and Hitchings Insurance Agency present the 4th Annual Charity Golf Outing.  The event will be held on Friday, July 19, 2013 at Sycamore Springs golf course, 11492 T.R. 25, Arlington.  Proceeds from the event will benefit Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services.

Registration begins at 7:00 a.m., with a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m.  The event includes 18 holes with cart, a scramble format, beverages, snacks and contests.  An awards ceremony and lunch will take place following golf. 

For information on forming a team or sponsoring the event, contact Andy Noel at 419-427-3105 or anoel@nwoortho.com.

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT AT UNIVERSITY OF FINDLAY

On March 21^st and 22^nd, the Phi Alpha Honor Society and Social Work Club of the University of Findlay will be hosting a “Take Back the Night Event” on campus. “Take Back the Night” began in 1976 as a rally to bring attention to sexual/domestic violence against women and has expanded across the U. S. and internationally.  The event will be a first for the UF campus to host.

TBTN at University of Findlay will encompass two days beginning with Thursday the 21^st. There will be the Survivor Silhouettes from BGSU on display in the AMU, along with the Clothesline Project from Open Arms Domestic Violence Shelter. There will be informational tables set up in the AMU for both days from Open Arms, Cosiano Health Center, and others. Phi Alpha and Social Work Club will also provide t-shirts for survivors of rape/domestic violence to make their own Clothesline Project for display.

On Thursday night, at 7pm, there will be an event in the Virginia Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion, with a speaker, testimonials, and a march around campus. This event is one of the highlights of Take Back the Night events across the country.

The events are open to students, faculty, and the public. This event is important to bring attention to the ongoing and increasing problem of violence against women. Take Back the Night rallies provide a supportive environment for survivors, their families, and education to the public.

Open Arms Receives Donation from Monsanto Fund

Robert and Debra Christy of Alvada have been selected as winners in America's Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Grow Communities gives farmers the opportunity to win a $2,500 donation to their favorite local charity. The Christy's selected Open Arms to receive a $2,500 donation. Pictured are a Monsanto Fund Representative, Robert and Debra Christy, and Ashley Ritz-Executive Director of Open Arms.

V-DAY: A Global Movement to End Violence Against Women

ONE BILLION RISING in the Media TONIGHT: - Wednesday, 13 Feb: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno – Anne Hathaway - Wednesday, 13 Feb: Piers Morgan Tonight – Jane Fonda - Wednesday, 13 Feb: The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell – Rosario Dawson TOMORROW: - Thursday, 14 Feb: Democracy Now – Eve Ensler Calling In Live From Congo - Thursday, 14 Feb: CNN International – Thandie Newton Live from London WATCH: - Katie Couric Rises Up for “One Billion Rising” on Katie! > - V-Board Member Thandie Newton with Jon Snow on Channel 4 > - V-Board Member Kerry Washington on Katie! > Your One Billion Rising Event Check-List RISERS are you ready? We know there are a lot of details to remember so we wanted to send you a quick One Billion Rising Check-List to help you make sure you have your bases covered! ONE BILLION RISING Check List: LOCATION: Make sure your Rising is on the Map so people can find it and attend VOLUNTEERS: Do you have a great group of volunteers to help you? PERMITS: Do you have permits from venue and police, if needed? AUDIO/VISUAL: Do you have a sound system? Device to play “Break The Chain”? Equipment to project video? Download the videos & music PROMOTION: Do you have banners and flyers and picket posters? PERFORMANCE: Have you asked someone to read Eve Ensler's newest Monologue "Rising"? Download PLEDGE: Have you taken the One Billion Rising Pledge & found a way to make sure everyone at your event does too? SHOW THE WORLD: We want you to document this historic day! Ensure you have people in the crowd videoing, photographing, recording your event.  Then post on facebook, twitter, youtube, instagram and Google+ so that the world can see what you are doing to end violence against women! LIVE STREAM: We’ve got a simple "How to"  that will give you all the details to get your event is seen round the world! #1BillionRising: Get #1BillionRising Trending! Join our #1BillionRising online flash mob on Thunderclap! And please ask your friends and followers to join us too MEDIA: Have you reached out to engage the Media? Follow these easy Media Tips ATTIRE: Have you told your crowds to wear Red & Black? Dress in One Billion Rising colors to let people know you are part of a movement!!  STRIKE: Moment of Solidarity! Choose a time during the day to take a moment, join together with your colleagues, fellow students, family members, and friends, and leave your workplaces, schools, and homes and be together as one V-MEN: Have you made every effort to get men involved! Invite them to the event, to dance and stand in solidarity.  Spread the word with the The Man Prayer, Jarvis Green Interview, and multiple ‘I Am Rising’ videos from men across the planet   unsubscribe

Teen Dating Violence Prevention & Awareness Month

February is Teen Dating Violence Prevention & Awareness Month.  This national effort raises awareness about abuse in teen and 20-something relationships and promotes programs that prevent dating violence during the month of February.
Read more about Teen DV Month.   

To show your support of this effort, wear Orange on February 11 for TDVPA Month.  For more information, check out these online resources:
  

http://www.loveisrespect.org

http://vetoviolence.cdc.gov/datingmatters/

http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teen_dating_violence.html

 

FLAG CITY CORVETTE CLUB

On January 12, the Flag City Corvette Club presented a $14,000 check to Open Arms at their annual awards banquet.  The funds were raised at last summer's Car Tunes on Main event, as well as several fundraisers held throughout the year.

The Flag City Corvette Club, a long time supporter and friend to Open Arms, participates in a number of activities such as 50/50 raffles, drag racing, and Car Tunes on Main.

Flag City Corvette members also provide products from the Open Arms wish list all throughout the year.

The Flag City Corvette Club has a long history, and there has always been some type of corvette club around the Findlay area. During the 1970's and into the late 1990's,  Tri-County Vette Club from Fostoria and Flag City Corvettes, sponsored by Harrington Chevrolet, participated in many activities in the surrounding area.

On October 11, 1998, the new Flag City Corvette Club was re-formed. The club, sponsored by LaRiche Chevrolet-Cadillac, held its first meeting on this date with 31 members present. Today, Flag City Corvettes has over 100 members and over 70 beautiful Corvettes represented. People from Findlay and surrounding areas continue to join the club so it will remain active and vibrant for future Corvette lovers.

Please check out their website and see all the activities and fun they offer. This club is a great place to build new and lasting friendships, help those in our community and enjoy the beauty of a Corvette.

(*Pictured: Kenny Young: FCC; Ashley Ritz and Jodi DeVore: Open Arms; Tom Cooper: FCC President)