How is your issue in your neighborhood in Chicago?
In my neighborhood there has been cases with rape and violence. Many people fear walking down the streets at night for the fear of something dangerous happening to them. As in the 1990’s there is a house on South Millard Avenue became a place of prostitution.
‘’Before the house on South Millard Avenue became a place where men in their work uniforms came to fulfill their "VIP fantasies," it was a simple family home on a block with relatively little crime. The small two-story residence — owned by the same family since 1991 — is next to an alley and across the street from Los Globos dance hall. Unsuspecting neighbors never realized woman ran sex trafficking ring, using threats and fear to control prostitutes.’’
As Gregory Pratt, Special to the Tribune went in investigation. He interviewed several women whom worked there as labor slave and sex slave. ‘’Rubicela Montero, a 38-year-old mother, moved into the home three years ago, renting the basement for $650 a month, she was an experienced madam who had set up several other brothels in the Little Village neighborhood, according to police.’’ As part of her trade, Montero adopted a false identity, calling herself Sandra. There was several neighbors who had noticed mysterious scenes it was a sympathetic statement — "Hey, you have a lot of visitors. You must have a lot of friends.’’ Montero took it as a message to find a new place and ended up at the residence on Millard. If a women or young girl would refuse to her command's their family was in danger. Also she would threatened to have illegal women deported and tell their family what kind of work victims were doing. After a while a Spanish-speaking officer working undercover was sent to the apartment, where he reportedly struck a deal for sex in exchange for $100. Police then attack the home and found Montero and three prostitutes working there, along with buckets filled with condoms and other items used in the sex trade. After interviewing the women, police learned that one of them was the original tipster.
How can students partner with local organizations to become activist-allies in addressing areas of concern?
Student's and parent’s have concerns with our neighborhood with crimes that have to do with rape or young girls and women going missing. I think the most important thing is our safety and most importantly our family safety. Organizations are really important because it teaches us many things that we might not see in our communities. Organizations are also very helpful because it gathers different types of cultures and different age’s which we can all learn from each other. Student’s could partner with organizations if they really cared about their community and its safety. Service is a big responsibility and really important to keep up because organizations is all about helping each other and keeping each other together through the struggles. Student’s and parents could partner with organizations on their spare time. Sex trafficking organizations are really not common in Little Village because sex trafficking is something really important that happens around the globe. Hotlines are used for sex trafficking help, or to communicate with anyone in their special needs.