Human trafficking  is the biggest sector of trafficking across the world. While we may be familiar with the most common form called sex trafficking, there are two other forms that have played a huge role in the U.S. according to the U.S. Department of State. Debt bondage is another form of human trafficking in which an individual is forced to work in order to pay a debt.

Sex trafficking disproportionately affects women and children and involves forced participation in commercial sex acts. In the United States, any child under the age of 18 who has been involved in a commercial sex act is considered a trafficking victim. Women and girls make up 80% of the people trafficked transnationally. Yearly, traffickers exploit 1 million children in the commercial sex trade.

The common perception of sex trafficking is women being forced into prostitution. While this perception is accurate it is important to recognize the various aspects that human trafficking can have. Victims of trafficking can also be men and children. These survivors will exploited in so many ways , all nationalities and ethnicities are vulnerable to human trafficking. It is our job to help protect our communities when we can. If you see something, say something.

What is Self-care?

The World Health Organization defined self-care as:

‘Self-Care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health, and to prevent and deal with illness. It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene, nutrition, lifestyle, environmental factors, socio-economic factors and self-medication.’

However, for each one of us self-care may hold a different perception or meaning, but it nevertheless shares the same basic philosophy for all of us: looking after your own self.

It’s easy to neglect taking care of ourselves because when we’re busy and overwhelmed, even a small reprieve feels like a luxury. So actually taking time to eat lunch, exercise, and hang out with friends? That just feels like slacking. That mindset backfires, though. Self care actually helps you make progress faster for a few reasons:

• Self care prevents “overload burnout” : We’ve all been there: you push yourself to the point that you can’t take anymore so you just give up.
• Self care reduces the negative effects of stress:

A small amount of stress can serve a purpose, but after a while, it just breaks down your mind and body. Taking care of yourself means keeping your stress from taking over so you can function at full capacity.

In other words, self care is not a reward. It’s part of the process. Sometimes we get so used to “rewarding ourselves” with lunch or a even a trip to the bathroom, that we forget exactly what it means to take care of ourselves.

September 15 through October 15 is Latinx/Hispanic Heritage month and it’s a time to celebrate the contributions, achievements, history and culture of Hispanic and Latinx citizens.

Women’s Health Magazine has identified their list of the 22 Best Movies Celebrating Latinx and Hispanic Culture to Watch in 2021. The list includes fiction, documentary, biographical, and animated films.

If you would prefer to sit with a good book, there are many wonderful books written by Latinx authors that you should consider reading. NBC News developed their 12 Best Latino books of 2020: Books to Read by Hispanic Authors recommendations. The list includes non-fiction, fiction, and poetry.

Some like to experience different cultures through food so do a quick Google search for “Hispanic cuisine in Springfield, MO” and you will find many, many choices for local authentic Hispanic food. Or, you’ve seen that taco truck parked in the same location every day, so make today the day you stop and try it!