Thank You For Your Support

Dear Editor,

We would like to thank all of those who attended our recent educational program, “Hidden in Plain Sight”. On March 9th, Needham PATH (People Against Human Trafficking) and the Needham Human Rights Committee presented to an audience at Powers Hall. The goal of the program was to raise community awareness about the prevalence of Human Trafficking, an illegal multi-billion dollar business which does not discriminate in its selection of victims. The speakers shared their experiences in working against human trafficking both globally and locally, including in Boston and its suburbs.

We would like to thank our very knowledgeable speakers: Deb O’Hara Ruskowski, RN, and delegate to the United Nations; Steven Procopio, LICSW, Trainer, Consultant and Clinician for males who have been trafficked; Peter Di Marzio, MA, Victim Assistance Specialist, Homeland Security Investigations, chair of Needham PATH; John Schlittler, MS, Chief of Needham Police Department; and George Goneconto, moderator and PATH member.

Thanks also to Gay Ellen Dennett, Needham Public Library reference librarian, for creating a display of books related to the subject of Human Trafficking.

We appreciate the publicity provided by the Needham Times, Needham Patch, and Needham Hometown Weekly.

We hope that all who attended the program found the speakers to be informative on this provocative and important subject. We anticipate that community members will benefit by attending future programs that support public awareness about the prevention of Human Trafficking, which has become a pandemic in its violation of human rights, often “Hidden in Plain Sight”.

With Appreciation,

Pat DeNoble for Needham PATH

Marlene Schultz for Needham Human Rights Committee