281 – Why Change Your Name, with Jeremy Vallerand

This episode is brought to you by Vanguard University and the Global Center for Women and Justice, who offer an incredible anti-human trafficking certificate. Whether you're a frontline responder, a social worker, in the ministry, a healthcare provider, or simply a community member who wants to help, this program is built for you. Head over to gcwj.org/ahtc to take the next step and apply today. ---Sandie is joined by Jeremy Vallerand, CEO and President of Atlas Free. Formerly Rescue Freedom International, Atlas Free is leading the charge to discover, connect, and grow the global network of anti-human trafficking organizations. Jeremy Vallerand Jeremy Vallerand is the CEO & President of Atlas Free, a global non-profit organization working in over 20 countries to prevent, combat, and end sex trafficking and exploitation. His Tedx Talk – “Using Your Passions to Fight Injustice” – encourages people to leverage their own skills and passions to improve the world around them. He has an undergraduate degree in Business from Trinity Western University in British Columbia, Canada and a graduate degree in Diplomacy from Oxford University in the UK. Jeremy lives in Seattle, WA with his wife, Maren, and their three children. Key Points Atlas Free started with the idea to vet and connect international organizations combatting human trafficking with U.S. communities and supporters, and vice versa. “Rescue” does not capture the work and role that survivors play in their own recovery from human trafficking. Atlas Free looks as being “heroic” as sacrificing your time and resources to give agency back to those being served. Atlas Free’s (formerly Rescue Freedom International) vision is to rebrand their organization to recognize the need for a global atlas, a global network, to address human trafficking. Resources Atlas Free Using your passions to fight injustice | Jeremy Vallerand | TEDxKirkland Love the show? Consider supporting us on Patreon! Become a Patron Transcript Dave [00:00:00] You’re listening to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. This is episode number 281, Why Change Your Name, with Jeremy Vallerand. Production Credits [00:00:08] Produced by Innovate Learning, maximizing human potential. Dave [00:00:28] Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. My name is Dave Stachowiak. Sandie [00:00:33] And my name is Sandie Morgan. Dave [00:00:36] And this is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending human trafficking. Sandie, I’m so glad for us to welcome today another guest expert who’s going to help us to really expand our horizons and to challenge us in some new ways as well. Jeremy Vallerand is the CEO and president of Atlas Free, a global nonprofit organization working in over 20 countries to prevent combat and sex trafficking and exploitation. His TEDx Talk, “Using Your Passions to Fight Injustice,” encourages people to leverage their own skills and passions to improve the world around them. He has an undergraduate degree in business from Trinity Western University in British Columbia and a graduate degree in diplomacy from Oxford University. Jeremy lives in Seattle with his wife Marin and their three children. Jeremy, welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. Jeremy [00:01:32] Thanks so much for having me. I’m excited to be here. Sandie [00:01:34] And Jeremy, you and I have known each other for so many years. I think the first friend that we had in common was Dick Foth, who as a child, I grew up in the shadow of his leadership and have always admired him as a mentor. Jeremy [00:01:52] Yeah, yeah. He’s one of my favorite human beings. And he was also the founding board chair of Atlas Free, so. Sandie [00:01:58] Oh, well, that’s exciting. Well, let’s jump into this. So first of all, just a little bit about your background. How did you get involved in the whole anti-human trafficking movement? It doesn’t sound like that is something that would have come about in your normal everyday business agenda. Jeremy [00:02:23] Yeah. So, as you kind of hinted at I was on kind of the business trajectory, I sort of assumed that that was where I was going to go with my life. And always had thought and was kind of grew up in a home with a family that taught whatever you do, that kind of the core of who are called to be as followers of Jesus is to use whatever resources and influence we have to advocate for the marginalized, the vulnerable and the oppressed. And so that was kind of woven into my DNA as a kid growing up in our family. My whole life, we had different people living with us, people who were in need; refugees. It just seemed like our house was kind of this revolving door of ways that my parents were trying to support people who needed help in a time of need. And so I kind of thought, oh, I’ll go on the business track, and if I’m successful, then I can use those resources for a cause that I care about. And I wasn’t sure what that cause was going to be. But you mentioned Dick Foth. Dick Foth was a mentor of mine as well. And about 15 years ago he was going on a trip to India. He had spent part of his chil...