CHARLOTTE — Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that occurs in every state, including North Carolina. And according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, Charlotte ranks first in the state for trafficking cases.
St. Gabriel parishioner Tammy Harris is doing something about the problem, establishing a non-profit organization – the Ursus Institute – that aims to help trafficking victims and collaborate with other like-minded organizations in the Charlotte area.
“Ursus is Latin for bear,” Harris explains. “Our logo is a strong bear set among the stars. The name came from the idea of “bearing” someone else’s burdens and leading them to safety. The stars represent the heavens and our reliance on God and the saints to lead victims of trafficking to safety.”
Harris’s desire to assist victims of human trafficking grew out of her commitment to pro-life work.
“A few years ago I was asked to take over the Respect Life ministry at St. Gabriel Parish. I have a heart for the unborn and I really wanted to do more to bring awareness to this issue,” she says. “Also, I thought it was so important to know about other topics that involve Respect Life, since it really is a ministry that focuses upon issues that surround life from conception to natural death.”
It was in this mission to learn more that Harris says she became aware of the human trafficking problem in Charlotte.
“As I learned more, I truly felt that God was calling me to get involved. There are a lot of misconceptions about this issue and it really is an evil that touches upon so many of the Respect Life areas,” she says.
As Harris started working with female victims of sex trafficking, for example, she was astounded by the connection between trafficking and forced abortions.
“I really feel that if we as a society did more to prevent trafficking, we would have a direct impact upon the amount of abortions that are done on an annual basis,” she notes.
Harris got involved with a local organization that helps adult victims of trafficking with housing and other needs, but “it quickly became apparent to me that so many of those who work in this arena operate independently and few share information,” she says.
“I wanted to start a non-profit that understands the importance of collaborating with others in this field. Since there is no single answer to solve human trafficking, we must work together as each organization focuses upon their core competencies.”
Harris also wants to increase awareness about human trafficking in the Charlotte area, particularly with actual data that can measure the extent of the problem.
“I had given input back in 2017 for House Bill 910, but the sponsor of the bill was having a difficult time finding co-sponsors since there was such little data about the realities of trafficking in our area,” she explains. “It will continue to be very difficult to pass bills and increase funding until we prove the prevalence of trafficking in North Carolina.”
Harris is working on a project along with UNC-Charlotte to accomplish just that – using data to paint a picture of the realities of trafficking in Charlotte.
The Ursus Institute recently absorbed another non-profit, The Voice of Hope International, which helped find care and housing for victims of trafficking within 48 hours of their rescue or escape. Those initial hours are critical, Harris points out, so she would like Ursus to continue offering that assistance.
“Also, we want to offer services not just for domestic victims, but for those who are international and were brought to the United States under false pretenses,” she says.
A donor has offered to purchase a home for the Ursus Institute to accommodate trafficking victims, she says.
“God has been very generous and so many things are falling into place. However, we are hoping to have more monthly and corporate donors so that there is an income that we can depend upon from month to month.
“It would be amazing if a church would ‘adopt’ the Ursus Institute,” Harris says. “This way, we can hire a program director to oversee the trauma-informed curriculum that needs to be in place before we accept victims of trafficking into our home.”
Harris has picked St. Joan of Arc as the patron saint for this work. “St. Joan of Arc is the patron of warriors and rape victims, so I believe that she is a perfect fit for this type of spiritual warfare,” she says.
“The issue of human trafficking is very dark and can be overwhelming,” she says. “However, if we look at this issue from the side of impacting the lives of the vulnerable and the marginalized, one can see the joy and fulfillment in this ministry. I am praying that my Catholic brothers and sisters join me in this fight.”
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
For more information
The Ursus Institute’s first fundraiser “Fall For A Better Tomorrow” will be held at 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at The Lighthouse in Charlotte. The event is a drop-in, open house (see events tab on www.ursusinstitute.net).
All are welcome to attend. The link to Chi Rho radio show interviews and more general information on the Ursus Institute can be found at www.ursusinstitute.net. Questions?
Contact Tammy Harris at 704-519-7901 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..