Speak Freely Workshop

On September 26th, Because Justice Matters partnered with Miraloma Church to host a Domestic Violence Workshop for Church Pastors and Leaders. This workshop facilitated awareness and response to the realities of domestic violence within the faith community. Topics of discussion included "What is domestic violence?" presented by Renee Tremmel from La Casa De Las Madres, a domestic violence shelter here in San Francisco; "A Biblical Reflection on the Status of Women" by Scott McClelland, pastor of Miraloma Church, and "How Faith and Religion is used to perpetuate abuse" by Ruthie Kim. The workshop included breakout sessions to think practically about the issues discussed, and resources to help further educate Pastors and faith leaders in order for their community to be a refuge for victims of domestic violence.

In the new year bjm will be hosting evening seminars to address various specifics regarding violence against women. If you or your faith community would be interesting in attending or hosting a seminar please contact rachael@becausejusticematters.org.

Faith Based Domestic Violence Support Group

This summer Because Justice Matters partnered with Ministers of Light in facilitating a Christian domestic violence support group. Five women committed every week to attend the group all summer long, for the purpose of seeking Christ centered healing and wholeness. Every week we covered topics related domestic violence, but also encorporated prayer, reflection and personal sharing.

We'd like to express a huge thanks to the following for their kind donations:the cosmetic department at Saks Fifth Avenue, 'The Journey' Church for providing Bibles, and personal donors that made our final goodbye gifts so fabulous! Each lady finished up the 10 weeks with a purse full of gifts and resources.

If you or someone you know would be interested in a future support group, please contact us for details about groups starting in 2010.

International BJM Outreach

Sex trafficking fueling India's HIV/AIDS epidemic

Seventy percent of women in India between the age of 15- 49 have reported to be victims of rape, coerced into sex or physically beaten. On the 2nd of November, Because Justice Matters Staff member, Rachael will be heading off to India for two weeks. During her time there, she will spend 4 days in Mumbai, India volunteering with a small organization called GRACE MUMBAI, which reaches out to women in the brothels of India, and learning about prostitution rescue. A study on the prevalence of HIV in India found that almost 40 percent of Nepalese women who were rescued after being forced into prostitution in India are HIV positive. Rachael will spend the remainder of her time in Chennai, India volunteering with PACT AIDS Hospice for women.

Look for Rachael's stories from her time in India in our next newsletter and see how you can be involved in helping to end sexual exploitation of women and girls in India!

Women's Nail Painting Outreach

On August 1st, Because Justice Matters hosted a Women's Outreach in the Tenderloin, reaching out to women on the streets, who are subject to sexual exploitation and violence. We had various different stations including a station for free resources for housing and recovery assistance, jewelry-making, free ice-cream, shoulder massage, and manicures. As a result of serving over 100 women that day and observing a need for more women-specific outreach in the Tenderloin, we are now using nail painting on the streets to connect with women. Rachael, one of our staff at Because Justice Matters, has made it her priority to reach out to these women.

Click here to read the story of a woman named Chantel, who Rachael met while offering nail-painting on the streets.

Christmas Outreach

On Saturday, December 5th, Because Justice Matters will be hosting a Christmas Outreach for women of the Tenderloin.  If you or your faith community would like to make donations or be involved in this outreach, contact Rachael at rachael@becausejusticematters.org.

Financial contributions

To support the continuing work of BJM, click here.