The money donated to the Republican Party of Minnesota by Anton Lazzaro, $47,000, has been dispersed to two in-state organizations that do important work on behalf of victims of juvenile and adult trafficking: A.C.T United (https://www.actunited.org), and Terebinth Refuge (https://terebinthrefuge.org).

The MN GOP Executive Committee, meeting on September 16, identified the two charities. After more fully vetting them, the Executive Committee voted to authorize sending $23,500 to each. Checks were sent out on September 30.

A.C.T United (https://www.actunited.org) is an anti-child-trafficking organization based out of Carver County. They approach youth sexual exploitation and trafficking from a public health perspective. Led by founder and executive director Jessica Bartholomew, a retired police officer, A.C.T United has built training and prevention strategies using the latest research, a direct service experience, and survivor expertise. They engage and equip the whole community and empowers youth with the education, skills, and resources needed for real prevention, resilience, and leadership development.

Terebinth Refuge (https://terebinthrefuge.org) is a Waite Park-based non-profit that operates a Christ-centered shelter and safe home that brings hope, healing services, and freedom to sexually exploited and trafficked women. It provides safe housing, longer-term transitional housing, and a variety of on-site services to help women attain their individual goals toward recover and independence. Participation in faith-based programs is not required as a condition of shelter or service. Terebinth Refuge values the uniqueness of each woman in her cultural, ethnic, and religious identity, and provides each woman with individual opportunities for self-advocacy and personal growth.