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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.
46 • FEBRUARY 2023