Cross Catholic Outreach

Delivering food, shelter, and hope to the poorest of the poor

Delivering food, shelter and hope to the poorest of the poor.
Catholic sisters stand outside near a statue of the Blessed Mother.
Cross Catholic Outreach is partnering with the Salesian Sisters of Saint John Bosco to protect and care for human trafficking survivors in the Philippines.

The Catholic Church Helps Survivors of Human Trafficking — And You Can Too

While serving the poor in developing countries, the Catholic Church often encounters problems so horrific they are hard to discuss. Human trafficking is one of those issues.

Sadly, human trafficking continues to thrive in the poorest parts of the world. That’s because in impoverished communities, young people who are hungry, isolated and fearful about their future become easy prey for criminals who deceptively promise them a path to a better life.

Once a child is drawn into these lies, the trap is sprung and all pretenses are dropped. At that point, the child becomes little more than a captive commodity to be sold on the streets for the pleasure of sexual predators. Sometimes, they are even sent thousands of miles away, making it almost impossible for them to reunite with their families.

“It’s a heartbreaking situation and one we in the Catholic Church need to address. Fortunately, there are missions we can support that have taken on that mission of mercy. One of the ministries involved in that work is in the Philippines,” said Jim Cavnar, CEO of Cross Catholic Outreach, one of the leading Catholic charities working to end poverty in the developing world. “The wonderful sister who leads their mission has developed an incredible outreach to protect and nurture young people who might be susceptible to the human traffickers’ lies.”

Visiting Sister Eloisa from Tacloban (far left) is shown the Child Protection Clinic by Sister Marivic, the managing director at the Laura Vicuña Foundation.
Two Catholic sisters stand at the back of a van emblazoned with the slogan, “Child protection clinic on wheels. Building a culture of protection for children.”
Visiting Sister Eloisa from Tacloban (far left) is shown the Child Protection Clinic by Sister Marivic, the managing director at the Laura Vicuña Foundation.

A Safe Home for Girls in the Philippines

Cavnar is referring to the Laura Vicuña Foundation, which offers a safe home, educational opportunities and counseling services to girls in need. Sister Marivic, the foundation’s director, also sends out a mobile Child Protection Clinic to reach young people in the community with a program that offers them love, support and hope.

Cavnar continued, “The mobile clinic and Sr. Marivic’s team of roving support staff take a very proactive approach. They aren’t waiting for young people to come to them. They’re bringing a light into the darkness and helping children who may not otherwise have heard the gospel of hope understand their potential in the eyes of God. Their slogan for the program is ‘Building a culture of protection for children,’ and they are doing an incredible job.”

Catholic sisters stand near a wall with the words: “Being with the young people today — a home that evangelizes.”
Sister Marivic needs the support of U.S. Catholics to continue the Laura Vicuña Foundation’s life-changing work.
Sister Marivic needs the support of U.S. Catholics to continue the Laura Vicuña Foundation’s life-changing work.

U.S. Catholics Take a Stand Against Human Trafficking

Because the Laura Vicuña Foundation operates on a meager budget, Cross Catholic Outreach is doing what it can to empower its critical work, and Cavnar says many U.S. Catholics have stepped forward to support the work as well.

“I have been very encouraged to see so many U.S. Catholics involved in this work of mercy — this effort to end the influence human traffickers have on vulnerable children,” he said. “They understand the terrible threat these sexual predators represent, and they want to do everything they can to protect the boys and girls at risk.”

For the dedicated religious sisters running the Foundation, this help couldn’t be coming at a better time, according to Cavnar. Economic downturns increase the suffering of the poor and can push desperate parents and children to consider extreme measures.

“The Church must act now. We need to rise up and show these struggling families and children that there is hope — that there is a better way,” Cavnar said. “If we don’t, more innocent boys and girls will become the prey of these insidious human traffickers, and some will be lost forever to that depraved world of sin.”

Since the release of the 2023 film “Sound of Freedom,” many people are especially eager to know how they can help vulnerable children and survivors of human trafficking. One way for Catholics to make a difference is by supporting Anti-Trafficking in our Christmas Catalog this year. Your generosity will empower ministries including the Laura Vicuña Foundation, protecting at-risk children and providing for their needs in Jesus’ name.

Bless Lives This Christmas

$0.00$50.00
$0.00$100.00
$0.00$250.00
or
$0.00

Recent posts

Michele Sagarino

Michele Sagarino

Michele Sagarino, president of Cross Catholic Outreach, has nearly three decades of experience in nonprofit leadership. After graduating from the University of Maryland, Michele answered the call on her life to begin service for various charitable organizations, including Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Gateway Community Outreach and Food For The Poor. She joined Cross Catholic Outreach in 2004 and served as vice president for development for 15 years. Through the years, Michele has been an important leader in the organization. Her expertise and heart for service will continue to lead us forward with wisdom and integrity, allowing us and our donors to impact even more lives.

Proceeds from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures incurred through June 30, 2024, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.