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Alexander Nazario CEO - IRON SHARPENS IRON In the United States, a vast majority of people that we encounter have no idea that modern-day slavery is happening in our own backyard. It was during a gathering of like-minded individuals that changed my life forever when our conversation steered towards things we could do to help the local community. All our wheels started turning and we immediately began to research what we believed was the largest problem that our community and state were facing. As our focus landed between recovery or human trafficking intervention, we realized that human trafficking was an area in which the state of Mississippi has limited resources. We encountered numerous safe houses and programs for recovery, but there were limited programs for survivors of human trafficking and human trafficking awareness. At that time, Mississippi rated #2 in the U.S. with the most cases of human trafficking – as of now, we rate #1. Shortly after this conversation, I went to Mexico. It was there in Mexico that I was able to become very hands-on and interact with many human trafficking survivors. We even connected with a team in Texas that works with survivors of human trafficking. After returning to the United States, I had a burning desire to help more survivors of human trafficking. I was not able to sleep at night thinking about those survivors and the terrible circumstances they have been through. I was waking up in a warm bed every day while someone out there was being abused, and that put a burden on my heart. I immediately knew I had to do something, and that is how Iron Sharpens Iron came to be. Iron Sharpens Iron partnered up with Senda De Vida in Mexico. This partnership has allowed us to provide so much help and guidance to many survivors of human trafficking. Iron Sharpens Iron has been able to accommodate many survivors’ needs by providing a safe place for participants and sustaining their basic needs. We also assist in relocation efforts, with local and out-of-state agencies that can accommodate survivors. Since our partnership with Senda De Vida in Mexico, we have been in direct contact with approximately 7,900 survivors from several countries. The main purpose of Iron Sharpens Iron is to train, restore, and assist in the healing process of survivors of human trafficking. We would not be able to make this possible without utilizing sources and programs within our community and partnering together with other organizations that also have common views in the fight against modern-day slavery. Celebrate Recovery, Beautiful Deliverance, Senda de Vida, Impact Youth Program, The Pointe Church, The MS District Pentecostal Church of God, and Elevate Church are some great resources and organizations that fight to end human trafficking and help spread awareness every day in this state. 74 • FEBRUARY 2023
It is important for us to keep raising awareness every day of human trafficking in the state of Mississippi. Teams in Louisiana, Texas, and Florida that we partner with and work with have a higher awareness rate than in our own state, and that is something worth fighting for to make a change and an impact. Iron Sharpens Iron also focuses internationally, and we focus on 13 countries which include Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Belarus, and Russia. We also focus on the Mexico border, with a presence in Texas. We have volunteers that help us raise awareness about Iron Sharpens Iron and the fight against human trafficking in Texas, Louisiana, and in Florida. Our programs include “Impact Summer Camp,” where the participants can spend a week outside their environment to heal from their trauma and have the chance to enjoy what it is like to be a kid again. We provide meals, games, and worship. After the week is over, we give them an opportunity to stay connected throughout the year with monthly meetings and activities until they meet again the following summer. The camp forms long-lasting friends and a support group. We want to ensure the participants of the summer camp that they are not alone. The fight to stop human trafficking is a hard fight, but solely a fight that is from the Lord, given the fact that Beautiful Deliverance, Celebrate Recovery, and SWAG ministries are 100% volunteer based. Approximately two-thirds of our program’s participants have experienced some form of human trafficking, which just shows how real modern-day slavery is in today’s world. Participants experience healing from any hurt, habit, and hang up, aiming to fulfill neuroplasticity healing. We offer services to over 350 individuals a month, with a meal at each meeting, and worship. Following worship, Iron Sharpens Iron participants break out into classes. Our intent for the following years is to bring the fight to our backyard and make sure the human trafficking ranking in Mississippi drops below #1 in the United States. By raising awareness and training to the local community, NGO, local schools, and businesses, with the intent to prevent and identify potential new victims, we can help fight to stop end human trafficking. All of the efforts of Iron Sharpens Iron have been funded by CEO, Alexander Nazario’s retirement check, and our team is formed of volunteers that have a burning desire to help others and they love to see the restoration of others. www.isiron.org Hometown RANKIN • 75
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