Tharros Place holds events for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

In 2023, nearly 500 minors in Georgia were identified as victims of human trafficking

Updated: Jan 4, 2024, 3:44 PM

Published: Jan 3, 2024, 4:17 PM

Special to the Herald

SAVANNAH - Tharros Place, a nonprofit that provides residential services for survivors of human trafficking, announces a number of events upcoming in January for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a presidentially designated observance designed to educate the public about human trafficking and the role they can play in preventing and responding to human trafficking. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ theme for Human Trafficking Prevention Month 2024 is Activate Connections to Prevent Human Trafficking.

“This is an opportunity to highlight the importance of collaborating across multiple sectors to build human trafficking prevention initiatives that work. Human trafficking cannot be prevented by any one individual, community, organization, or government,” says Julie Wade, Executive Director of Tharros Place. “To improve the lives of those we serve, we must activate connections throughout the systems that impact individual, family, community, and societal health and well-being. When we partner to prevent, we can enhance our efforts to keep everyone safe from human trafficking.”

Events include:

Friday, Jan. 5: Chatham County Commission Proclamation, 9:30 a.m., 124 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401
Tuesday, Jan. 16: Pooler City Hall Proclamation, 4 p.m., 100 US-80, Pooler, GA 31322
Wednesday, Jan. 17: Cheers for Charity Fundraiser at Sobremesa, 2312 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401 (10% of sales go to Tharros Place)
Friday, Jan. 26: Cocktails for Courage, 5:30 p.m. at Cohen’s Retreat, 5715 Skidaway Rd., Savannah, GA 31406
Saturday, Jan. 27: Ninth Annual Traffick Jam, a conference bringing together experts in their respective fields to inform and educate professionals in law enforcement, mental health, social work, and education – as well as the general public – about the scourge of human trafficking. 9 a.m. at Savannah State University, 3219 College Street, Savannah, GA 31404
Wednesday, Jan. 31: Fundraiser at Chipotle on Victory from 4 - 8 p.m., 1801 E. Victory Drive, Savannah, GA 31404 (make sure to mention you are with Tharros Place)
The entire month of January: Savannah Bike Tours will donate a portion of proceeds to Tharros Place

Human trafficking includes both forced labor and sex trafficking and impacts more than 24.9 million people — adults and children — worldwide, including in the United States.
In 2022, 494 Georgia minors with an average age of 14 were identified as victims of human trafficking and Chatham County ranked fourth in the state for the number of sex trafficking cases of minors. The issue is of particular concern for Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp, who created the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion, and Education (GRACE) Commission to eliminate human trafficking as a threat to people in every corner of Georgia.

Tharros Place, a Savannah nonprofit named after the Greek word for courage, opened its doors November 2023, and provides services for survivors of human trafficking. The residential facility is open 24/7 and staffed by trained and licensed professionals providing trauma-informed, client-centered care to girls ages 12 to 17. For more information about these events, please visit tharrosplace.com or call Kate Templeton at (912) 665-0236.

Latest

Effingham Schools Approve Property Tax Rate Increase

Comparison of the property tax impact for Effingham County homeowners under the approved millage rate increase, showing the difference from fiscal year 2025 to 2026.

School Property Tax Rate Increase — Comparison of the property tax impact for Effingham County homeowners under the approved millage rate increase, showing the difference from fiscal year 2025 to 2026.

Updated: Sep 19, 2025, 12:52 AM

Published: Sep 19, 2025, 12:53 AM

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — The Effingham County Board of Education unanimously approved raising the property tax rate from 16.5 to 18.45 mills. For a homeowner with a $350,000 property, that’s about $22 more per month. The vote was 5-0.

Why the Increase is Needed

District officials said the adjustment is necessary to cover rising costs and remain competitive in attracting and retaining teachers and staff. More than 87% of the district’s budget goes to salaries and benefits for employees ranging from classroom teachers to bus drivers, nurses, counselors, paraprofessionals, and administrators.

Most of the increase is tied to an $8 million spike in required contributions to state benefit plans.

The state’s health and retirement benefits for certified employees — teachers — are going up 7% in 2026, finance director Lauren Cain, said. Benefits for non-certified employees — staff — are rising 36%. That’s a total of $8 million more in health and retirement benefits the district will have to cover.

Although the state is increasing funding to Effingham schools by $4 million, it will cover only about half the benefits hike, she said.

As of July 1, premiums for the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) have nearly doubled since FY2023, jumping from $945 to $1,885 per month per employee. In addition, the district’s contribution rate to the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) has increased from 20.78% to 21.91%.

To help offset those rising costs, the district voted to raise the millage rate.

Balancing Costs & Education

Superintendent Yancy Ford previously called the increase “an investment in every child’s future.” He said, “Smaller class sizes, highly qualified teachers, and strong support staff are all proven to raise student achievement. This millage rate increase allows us to continue building on our successes and to make sure every child in Effingham County has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”

Ford also acknowledged the strain on taxpayers. “We don’t want to put the taxpayers in this position next year,” he said. He promised to “dissect the budget” and search for ways to “lower costs” while still doing what’s best for students. “We know people are feeling it,” he added.

Fiscal Accountability & Academic Record

While the millage rate itself rises about 11.5%, higher property values mean overall revenue collections will increase nearly 26%. School leaders say the additional funds will help preserve Effingham’s strong academic record, which includes a 90.7% graduation rate, above-average reading scores in elementary grades, and SAT results that top both state and national averages.

Ford emphasized accountability in managing taxpayer funds. Every dollar from this millage rate increase is an investment directly tied to student learning, he said.

Effingham Schools recently earned a 4.5 Financial Efficiency Star Rating from the Georgia Department of Education, ranking fourth out of 180 school systems statewide.

Public Concerns

About 20 residents attended the final public hearing before the vote. Several property owners, retirees on fixed incomes, and business owners voiced frustration over rising appraisals, cost of living increases, and tax abatements for industry.

Looking Ahead: ESPLOST Vote

Looking ahead, the district is preparing to ask voters in November to approve another ESPLOST (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). If passed, funds would go toward capital projects such as facility upgrades and technology improvements.

Latest