The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia under the direction of Jamie Manirakiza has played an integral role in the fight against sex trafficking and in the effort to help victim survivors in Philadelphia, the fifth most populous city in the US. Jamie’s belief in the power of partnerships in effectively combatting this crime and issue is reflected in her work as co-chair of the Social Services Sub-Committee for the Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition, as an adjunct professor in the Social Work Department at Eastern University where she teaches an introductory Women’s Studies course with a sex trafficking concentration, and on the Board of Advisors for the Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation. Jamie earned her Master’s Degree in social work from the University of Pennsylvania and eventually became the Director of Anti Trafficking and Social Services, The Salvation Army New Day to Stop Trafficking Program. Through her work for the Salvation Army, Jamie has developed programs to educate and engage the community in the Philadelphia area around this issue and to provide services for victims of labor and sex trafficking.
Jamie shared with us during her interview how the Salvation Army’s work has evolved over time and the history of how the idea for the Drop-In Center (http://pa.salvationarmy.org/greater-philadelphia/NewDay) came about. She explained to us that when the “Kensington Strangler” was loose, and the community (especially prostituted women) were in great fear for their safety, the Drop-In Center was opened as a safe place where the women could come late at night. The original plan was that this would be a temporary Center, but it became apparent that the need for the services provided was great, so the Center eventually moved to its permanent location on Kensington Avenue. In an effort to expand their services even more, Jamie and the Salvation Army partnered with Dr. Ellyn Jo Waller, Carol Metzker and others to open up long-tern aftercare home in Montgomery County.
It was fascinating to learn more about the work that the Salvation Army has been doing in Philadelphia in the last several years and an honor to interview Jamie. It was also an honor to film with Arielle Curr, Salvation Army Anti-Trafficking Program Coordinator, on the streets of Kensington after we captured footage of volunteers working with women on beautiful paintings at the Drop-In Center.
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