The University of Saint Francis is kicking off a program to make the community more aware of human trafficking. “Josephine’s Hope” is a nine-day project coordinated by a group of USF faculty and staff with the goal to inform and involve the community in the fight against human trafficking.

The timing of the project coincides with this year’s Super Bowl, which takes place in Houston on February 5. The game is considered a magnet for human trafficking, and the project will encourage prayer and fasting for potential victims of trafficking this year. The group will be praying both for victims and for perpetrators (that the latter will reform and leave the human trafficking business).

Starting January 30, information tables will be placed around the USF campus, 2701 Spring Street, and information will be offered to the community from noon to 2 p.m. Community members will also be able to sign a pledge to make a personal commitment to be aware of the realities of human trafficking and to help end the trade.

Here’s where visitors can find information tables:

Monday, January 30 Trinity Hall (USF Campus)

Tuesday, January 31 Pope John Paul II Center (USF Campus)

Wednesday, February 1 Doermer Health Science Center (USF Campus)

Thursday, February 2 Rolland Art and Visual Communication Center (USF Campus)

Friday, February 3 Music Technology Center, 431 W. Berry Street

Monday, February 6 USF North Campus, 2702 Spring Street

Tuesday, February 7 USF Business Center, 826 Ewing Street

On February 8, the project will conclude at the 11:30 a.m. Mass in the USF St. Francis Chapel in Trinity Hall. The Mass will celebrate the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was herself sold as a slave at one time, along with the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking.