Fwd: The fight for human dignity happening in our own backyard

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: PA Family Institute <mail@pafamily.org>
Date: Fri, Aug 7, 2020 at 2:43 PM
Subject: The fight for human dignity happening in our own backyard
To: <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

Giving Parents the Info They Need for the Upcoming School Year

For those of you who were not able to join our webinar on educational options for parents, you can watch a recording here. We were joined by State Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga), sponsor of Back on Track ESA legislation, Colleen Hroncich, Senior Policy Analyst at the Commonwealth Foundation, Phil Puleo, Superintendent at Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg, Tom Shaheen, Vice President for Policy at Pennsylvania Family Institute, and Michael Geer, President at Pennsylvania Family Institute to talk about what routes parents take for their children in these uncertain times.

While many are facing difficult decisions, we hope that these times allow for more resources and empowerment for parents to make the best educational decisions for their kids and their families. After all, education is not one-size-fits-all. ESA offers a key solution in this area.

Back on Track ESAs Legislation - Take Action!

Rep. Owlett discussed his "Back on Track" Education Scholarship Accounts legislation to help empower parents in meeting the specific needs of their children this school year. The federal CARES Act designated funding to Pennsylvania for education and these Back on Track ESAs would use this funding to directly help students and parents with education-related needs such as online classes, counseling, tutoring or services for students with special needs. The intent of the legislation is to help low-income families regardless of what school the children attend, whether public, private, charter, cyber or home school. Click here to learn more about this legislation.

Take Action: Please contact your State Senator and State Representative (use this action alert to do both!) and let's empower parents to help students get back on track with their education.

Visit pafamily.org/backontrack and then invite five friends to do the same!

You can also access all of these resources on our website here.

Raising Awareness for Human Trafficking

Recently awareness has become widespread about the problem of sex trafficking, especially child sex trafficking. The hashtag and movement #SaveTheChildren has been popping up all over social media in recent weeks, especially in light of the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, connected with Jeffery Epstein and what looks like a sweeping child sex traffikcing ring among the elite and wealthy. However, the problem is much deeper and more widespread than one criminal case or one exposed ring.

Sex trafficking, of both children and adults, men and women, is happening every single day, all across the world and in our own state. We are glad to see the awareness that is being brought to this incredibly difficult issue. Sex trafficking is horrific, violent, and an utter disregard for another's human dignity. To learn more, including how you can help stop it, see the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.

The Problem with P*rn

We can't cover sex trafficking without also covering the topic of p*rn, which drives demand for sex trafficking, and child sexual abuse. This week BreakPoint shared a fantastic video responding to those who claim that p*rn can improve relationships. Watch the video here. In a past video, they address whether or not p*rn is harmless. You can also watch that video here.

P*rn affects all of us in society and in families--even those who don't watch it. It's led to a breakdown of marriages, sexualizes violence, and encourages harmful acts. There is hope for healing and recovery for those who struggle with it. We can make a difference by openingly talking about p*rn and working together to stop the demand. Read more studies on the issue here.

(Note: We spell p*rn with an asterisk as the word normally spelled may be blocked by some filters.)