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City of Imperial proclaims January 2025 National Human Trafficking Prevention Month; survivor-advocate outlines housing plan
Summary
Mayor James Tucker read a proclamation declaring January 2025 as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Survivor-advocate Jazz Ledbetter described local advocacy work and plans for trauma-informed tiny home housing under the organization Harlet Heart.
Mayor James Tucker read a proclamation declaring January 2025 as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the City of Imperial and presented it during the council meeting on Jan. 15.
Jazz Ledbetter, identified herself as an author, artist and an advocate and told the council she founded Harlet Heart after relocating to the Imperial Valley and receiving support from Woman Haven. Ledbetter said she had been recognized as this past year's Mariposa survivor for advocacy work and that her organization is developing a trauma-informed tiny-home housing and homeownership program for survivors.
"My advocacy started once I was able to get free and write my book about my life and tell my story through human trafficking and how I was able to get out with the help of Imperial Valley with Woman Haven," Ledbetter said. She described local collaboration and said the work aims to "change the world" by strengthening prevention and community protection factors.
Ledbetter thanked the council for the recognition, described plans to grow Harlet Heart's local work and offered contact information to staff. The mayor presented the proclamation to Ledbetter and asked staff to receive her contact materials for follow-up.
The proclamation text read into the record noted the global and statewide prevalence of human trafficking and emphasized a holistic community response. Staff indicated they would distribute Ledbetter's contact information to relevant offices.
