Bending the Arc

At the beginning of the 119th Congress, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 1144) was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan bill, led by Representatives Chris Smith and Kweisi Mfume, would accomplish several goals, including: 

• Reauthorize and strengthen existing anti-trafficking programs across numerous federal agencies;
• Establish a new Human Trafficking Survivors Employment and Education Program to help prevent the re-exploitation of trafficking survivors; and
• Require counter-trafficking strategies, activities, and efforts to be further incorporated into U.S. international assistance.

In April 2025, the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration joined with national partners in calling on the House to pass H.R. 1144. The bill now has the potential to reach the House floor in the coming weeks. 

Complete this action alert to join with the bishops in calling for the House to pass H.R. 1144.
 

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed two bipartisan bills into law April 2 that create a statewide battery recycling program. 2025 Wisconsin Act 170 and 2025 Wisconsin Act 171 will require producers of portable and medium-format batteries to join a battery stewardship organization and submit a plan for a statewide battery collection and recycling program to the DNR by Jan. 1, 2027. Once approved and fully implemented, the program will provide free collection of batteries for recycling at locations around the state. A ban on disposal of covered batteries will take effect Jan. 1, 2028.

Batteries covered by the new law include portable or medium-format batteries intended or designed to be easily removed from products using common household tools. These include both rechargeable batteries, such as lithium ion, nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride, used in consumer electronics, small appliances and power tools, and e-mobility devices like bikes and scooters. It also includes single-use batteries, such as alkaline AAA, AA, C and D batteries and button or coin cell batteries. Not included are lead-acid vehicle batteries, which have their own recycling program, or electronics eligible for recycling through the E-Cycle Wisconsin program. For more about battery types and current recycling options, visit the DNR’s battery recycling webpage.

Many batteries — especially powerful lithium-ion batteries in small electronics — can hold a considerable charge even when they no longer provide sufficient energy to power a device. When consumers put used batteries or electronics in trash or recycling bins, the heavy equipment involved with collecting, sorting and recycling or disposing of the waste can easily damage the batteries, leading quickly to serious fires that can put workers at risk and destroy equipment or entire facilities.

The DNR worked with many industry stakeholders on the development of this legislation to provide free and convenient battery recycling options and reduce the number of batteries in curbside garbage and recycling programs.

Over the next several months, the DNR will continue to share information with stakeholders and implement the new law. If you have questions, contact Sarah Murray at Sarah.Murray@wisconsin.gov.

With all of the distractions in the world, you may not be aware that there are SEVEN EXECUTIONS scheduled in the United States within four weeks, starting April 30. Four are happening on just two separate days - April 30 and May 14th. It is quite possible that one of those will be the 600th execution just in the State of Texas since 1982. Think about that. Over 36% of all US executions under current laws have taken place in just one state.

As of 2026, about 55 countries in the world retain the death penalty, with the highest numbers of executions carried out by China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Somalia, and the USA.

The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes continues to call for an end to the death penalty. The Catholic Church, under Pope Francis, officially deems the death penalty “inadmissible” as it attacks human dignity. In Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, he instructs his followers to “turn the other cheek” and advocates for radical forgiveness and nonviolence. 

There is a real urgency to demand nonviolent justice and reconciliation. You can take action today. Follow and support the work of Death Penalty Action. Sign their petitions. Call the Governors in the states where these atrocities against humanity are being committed. Definitely join them in prayer.

Learn more
 

The theme of this year’s Alliance to End Human Trafficking (AEHT) conference was United in Prevention: Current Trends and Prevention Strategies. The conference was held in Boston, MA, April 15-17, 2026.

Conference workshops and speakers gave insight to the many vulnerabilities for trafficking around the world, but what was most impactful were hearing from survivors. Their experiences bring a raw reality to the gravity of this issue. Human trafficking is the second most lucrative form of transnational crime in the world, only second to drug trafficking. Annual profits from human trafficking and forced labor are estimated at $236 billion globally. Think about this - the sale of a pound of drugs is one transaction, but a person can be sold multiple times. Human trafficking is becoming more hidden, organized, and transnational.

Here are the some global trends being reported:

• Criminal networks use advanced methods to avoid being detected
• Digital recruitment targets vulnerable young people through social media with false job promises.
• Forced labor is on the rise in supply chains around the world
  • Consumers often remain unaware of forced labor practices.
• Migration remains one of the strongest pathways to vulnerability.
• Women, children, migrants, and indigenous people are the most affected.

Human trafficking varies by region due to local conditions and global influences. Here in North America, migrant, agricultural workers and Indigenous communities face systemic risks rooted in historical inequities and policy gaps. Temporary visa programs can offer legal work, but they can also create power imbalances that traffickers take advantage of. Understanding these patterns is crucial for creating affection prevention strategies that address root causes and protect vulnerable populations.

Sister Jean Quinn, DW, Executive Director of UINANIMA International echoed many of these trends, realities, and experiences that the conference presenters shared when she asked to be the keynote speaker for the Talitha Kum presentation, Systemic Change in the Face of New Vulnerabilities to Human Trafficking on April 23, 2026. You are encouraged to watch the recording here.

Sister Jean reiterates that the voices of survivors are essential in creating just systems, designing policy and program development, avoiding criminalizing victims, and to create genuine community-specific approaches to the problems. Honoring lived experiences reveals where systems have failed.  

The AEHT Conference ended with a Call to Action that all anti-trafficking advocates are encouraged to commit to:

As we conclude, let us commit to concrete action. True prevention requires collaboration across borders, sectors, and communities.

We call upon all stakeholders to:

• Advocate for policy reform that protects the vulnerable
• Empower local communities through education, resources and sustainable opportunities
• Partner with survivors whose voice must guide our strategies
• Support faith-based networks working at the grassroots level

To be truly united in prevention means recognizing our shared responsibility. Because protecting human dignity anywhere requires responsibility everywhere. 


 

On April 23, 2026 the Interfaith Peace Working Group of Wisconsin held their first spring conference. This year's theme was Nonviolence in Action: An Interfaith Conversation on Building the Beloved Community.

One participant, Judy Miner of Wisconsin Network for Peace, recalls looking over the main hall filled with Quakers, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Evangelicals, Catholics, Lutherans, atheists and more. There were wonderful workshops on a variety of social justice issues to include: nonviolent climate action, protecting our democracy, gun violence prevention, immigration, alternatives to militarism, criminal justice reform, just peace between Palestinians and Israelis, economic justice, and more.

Perhaps most notably were the amazing keynote speakers, Shane Claiborne and Kathy Kelly. While both gave powerful presentations, statistics from Shane felt really important for me to share. Shane Claiborne started Red Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living “as if Jesus meant the things he said.” Shane’s faith has led him to jail while advocating for the homeless and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan to stand against war. He has worked to end the death penalty and stop gun violence. He co-authored the book, Beating Guns, which shows how we can all be part of the solution to one of the most significant moral issues of our time - our country’s addiction to guns. 

• More Americans have died from guns in the US in the last 50 years than in all the wars in American history. This includes deaths by homicide, suicide, and accidental gun deaths - about 105 per day.
• There are more guns than people in the US, even though two-thirds of people choose not to own a gun.
• About half of all gun owners possess four or more guns.
• There are 5 TIMES more gun dealers than McDonalds restaurants in the US.
• One gun is purchased every three seconds. That’s 9.5 million per year.
• The image above is a conceal and carry gun case!

The National Rifle Association (NRA) messaging continues to be on self defense, while those in favor of stricter gun laws argue more permissive gun laws are making people less safe. Independent studies tracking the shift in gun advertising show that the gun lobby has been establishing a narrative of constant risk, fear and distrust of neighbor, which has replaced the former gun culture focused on hunting and gaming. Read more here.

In his closing remarks last week, Shane said, “If you want to stop violence, figure out who is making money off of it… Some are making a killing off killing.”

Microplastics are in our food, our water, and our bodies — and the science on their health risks is getting harder to ignore. The good news: there are simple steps you can take right now to protect yourself and your community.

The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) just launched Microplastics Are Micromonsters — a science-based public health campaign bringing urgent attention to the growing body of scientific evidence that microplastics are accumulating in the human body and may be harming our health, and how people can reduce their everyday exposure.

This large-scale public education push aims to reach millions of Americans — starting with ads in New York City's Times Square, along with ads on TV, radio, digital, taxi tops, and billboards nationwide.

You can participate too! Sign up for NRDC's Microplastics are Micromonsters Challenge before midnight on Monday, May 4 and they'll send you one practical, science-backed challenge per week to reduce your exposure to microplastics — from what's in your kitchen to what's in your medicine cabinet.

Sign up for the challenge here.
 

High School students around the United States were given the chance to display their talent, earn cash prizes and educate other youth about human trafficking in this year’s Alliance to End Human Trafficking video contest, “What Would You Do?”. In short 2- to 3-minute videos, students were asked to demonstrate what human trafficking looks like in the eyes of those most vulnerable - our youth. Their videos were designed to educate and empower other students on how to identify and prevent human trafficking.

An online awards ceremony was held on April 1 where professional filmmakers also provided feedback of the contestant’s work. Cash prizes awarded were $1,000 for the first prize; the second prize: $750 and the third Prize: $500. CSA was a sponsor of this contest.

You can watch the recording of the Award Ceremony here on YouTube and be inspired. Though the top three were selected, all videos deserve recognition and all the students are winners!

The Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act passed the Senate in March 2026 and is headed to the House. The bill contains eight titles comprising 40 sections. Many were previously introduced as stand-alone bills. Here is an overview.

Sections on Disaster Recovery, Reducing Homelessness, Incentivizing Local Solutions to Homelessness, Helping Families Save, and Improving Self-Sufficiences of Families in HUD-Subsidized Housing will really affect the work of Winnebagoland Housing Coalition, including those of us in Fond du Lac County. Please contact your House Representatives and ask them to support the ROAD to Housing Act. Continue to follow this and other housing bills and advocacy work at Badger State Housing Alliance (note, their website is currently undergoing updates). You can also find them on Facebook. 

Housing News from Fond du Lac:

The Summer 2026 Point in Time (PIT) Date is set for July 22. This is a national effort for communities to document the number of individuals found homeless overnight on select days twice a year. It is a requirement for communities in order to continue receiving HUD funding. Volunteering for PIT is a service and experience that several CSA Sisters and Associates have had within the last few years. Have you been considering it? If so, here is your chance! The sign-up for the Winnebagoland (Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Winnebago counties) July PIT is now available.

To help get a better sense of the number of unhoused in the FDL community, refer to the St. Katharine Drexel Shelter’s 2025 Impact Report, which is now available online. The statistics are alarming. Read the summary or the full report.