Commemorating National Human Trafficking Awareness

In commemoration of National Human Trafficking Awareness, and in support of the Sisters of Mercy, the Mobile Mercy Associates invited the executive director of the Little Tree project to present at its January 27th meeting held at the Convent.

Our presenter Allana Chris is the Founder and Executive Director of Little Tree Project, an anti-human trafficking organization headquartered in South Alabama. Its mission is combating human trafficking through prevention, rehabilitation, and restoration. She has over 6 years’ experience in the counter trafficking field conducting domestic and international rescue and aftercare services. Her experiences and conversations with survivors of modern slavery led her to start Little Tree Project. The model is survivor-driven and solution-focused, filling in the gaps expressed by survivors themselves. Little Tree is currently offering community awareness and prevention services, referrals to survivors, and more while they fundraise for their anticipated residential facility and outreach programming. 

Sister Marilyn Graf said it best in response to Allana’s presentation – “I couldn’t help but think of Catherine McAuley. Allana and her two colleagues are helping to eradicate human trafficking through the prevention, rehabilitation, and restoration of the many victims and survivors of this global atrocity starting in our Mobile and Baldwin County communities. Their determination to make sure women get a better life knowing that with God’s Providence all things are possible. It is amazing that the evil present in Catherine’s Day is still prevalent today. How remarkable that hundreds of years later we’re witnessing this young, passionate woman educating, protecting, healing and raising up these women with a strong faith and compassionate love much like Catherine’s.”

PHOTO –Mercy Associate [MA]: Wearing blue in commemoration of National Human Trafficking Awareness month pictured from left in Top Inset: Marie Griffin, – MA joined by zoom, Allana Chris, executive director of the Little Tree Project, Molly Hoke, MA joined by zoom; Standing Back Row: Sr. Chabanel Finnegan, Sr. Joan Serda, Sr. Julianne Carey, Sr. Deborah Kennedy, Sr. Teresa Cusack, Sr. Regina Anne Hatton, Sr. Mary Riordan, Sr. Mary Zoe Keller, Sr. Marilyn Graf, John Doll – MA, Zippy Doll – MA, and Mary Ann Tuohy – MA; Sitting: Katherine Harrison, Cyber Mercy visitor, Sr. Padraic Hallaron, Theresa McGonagle – MA, Lillian Martin – MA, and Sr. Jackie Tarrant; Sitting on Floor: Tracy Gilespie, Nancy McKenna – MA, Jamie Landry- MA, Cecilia Mace – MA and Mary Kay Polys – MA.