The Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition started out as a grassroots organization of concerned citizens that would attend meetings to discuss ideas to bring awareness of human trafficking to the state of Idaho.
Jennifer and Kevin Zielinski attended this group and quickly saw a need for leadership. In order to bring this cause to fruition, Jennifer approached the private founder behind this group, and was assigned the Executive Director role to launch this into an organization. Jennifer single-handedly spearheaded this effort by creating IATC as a certified 501(C)3 over the course of a year, during which she had approximately 500 meetings with community leaders and legislators. IATC was awarded the Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) grant from the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance in July of 2018, and that's when Kevin Zielinski and a few others were hired to expand on Jennifer's efforts.
IATC, is the first organization that has received funding solely for human trafficking from the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance.
Since then, it has grown substantially and has taken on the goal of making a systemic change throughout all of Idaho. IATC has brought to the forefront a population who have never been identified as potential or current victims of human trafficking and now are collecting the data and ensuring direct services and supports are provide for their care.
The Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition provides education, awareness and training on human trafficking to local individuals and organizations. They advocate for victim rights and new laws that protect, instead of prosecuting victims, and have instilled key partnerships to provide direct services, emergency housing and support.
To learn the full story of the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition and what we are doing, watch the interview below with director Jennifer Zielinski.
In this interview, Jennifer Zielinski, Executive Director of the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition, gives an overview of the work of the Coalition, and is awarded Outstanding Nonprofit in SW Idaho by The Idaho Nonprofit Center during the Idaho Philanthropy Day Awards Ceremony.
Idaho Parents Unlimited's Art Education program, in partnership with the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition, expanded to Juvenile Detention Centers in Idaho.
"Recognizing such a vulnerable population and such individuals that have just not been appropriately served in Idaho, recognizing that on a national level and to potentially receive funding funneling into the state would be so helpful," said Executive Director of Idaho's Anti-Trafficking Coalition, Jennifer Zielinski.
Over 1000 reply to attend a Human Trafficking 101 Training hosted by Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition at the Vineyard Boise Church.
Use the hashtag #idahoFightsHT
Community awareness of sex trafficking in Idaho coming.to The Village in Meridian on Black Friday.2018.
In the past two years, the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition has expedited its efforts to fulfill its mission. This year these efforts will include evaluating what is working and what isn't, strengthening statewide partnerships, expanding awareness and education, and ensuring that individuals have the right to housing, services, and supports, removing the process of criminalizing victims.
Idaho is about 20 years behind the times when it comes to combating Human Trafficking. Law Enforcement and Judicial Systems are still criminalizing victims and we as a community have not fully recognized the severity of human trafficking in our own backyard.
Without community involvement, partnerships, and full transparency the Coalition wouldn't be able to successfully do this work, while honoring individuals who have the most important voice in this critical effort!
For information on the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition contact:
Jennifer Zielinski
Executive Director,
Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition
208-630-6601.
Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition
Office Phone: (208) 630-6601 Address: 868 E. Riverside Dr., Ste 170, Eagle, ID 83616
National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888
The Idaho ATC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible
Copyright 2019 Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition