Mid City Times

The 5 Stones Foundation is set to host the "Mapping a Way Forward: 5 Stones Summit" on March 6 at Doxology Bible Church in Fort Worth. This event aims to highlight resources for human trafficking survivors and direct service providers in Tarrant County. Notable speakers include City of Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem Gyna Bivens, Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes, and Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn.

The summit will also feature panel discussions addressing critical topics such as advocacy, prevention, survivor aftercare, combating trafficking demand, and residential support. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with these topics during the lunch hour when information tables will be available.

According to the 5 Stones Foundation, established in 2020, their mission is to fund local organizations that provide essential services to trafficking survivors. They view this summit as a vital opportunity for community members to learn about ongoing efforts and become involved in combating human trafficking.

Experts from more than a dozen local, national, and global organizations will participate in the summit's panels. Recent statistics from the National Human Trafficking Hotline reveal over 900 reported cases of human trafficking in Texas in 2023, involving more than 1,700 victims. These figures underscore the necessity for robust community action and awareness.

Since its inception in 2014 by the Fort Worth Police Department, a task force dedicated to ending human trafficking has been active locally. The 5 Stones Taskforce now boasts regular monthly meetings attended by approximately 70-90 participants either in person or online. The foundation has provided over $220,000 in grants to local organizations since its creation in 2020. Both entities collaborate with the TCHTT to address trafficking issues within Tarrant County.

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