This month, Sisters Rising Worldwide (SRW) stepped onto a powerful platform — WKTU Cares, one of New York City’s leading radio stations—bringing their mission to thousands of listeners. President Sister Irene O’Neill and COO Kelly Mallon Young joined the program to shed light on the global crises of poverty and human trafficking, sharing how SRW is connecting Sisters worldwide to combat injustice with real, sustainable solutions.
During the segment, Sister Irene and Kelly provided eye-opening insights into the root causes of poverty and human trafficking, emphasizing the importance of prevention, education and advocacy. They discussed how SRW connects Sisters worldwide serving communities in need, providing sustainable solutions to break cycles of exploitation and hardship.
“Sisters Rising Worldwide built a technology platform called the PeaceRoom, which uses innovative technology to connect 650,000 Sisters across 190 countries, breaking barriers of geography, language and separate congregations to tackle injustice at its roots. Our platform brings life-changing projects to light, directing support and resources where they’re needed most”, said Sister Irene.
SRW encouraged WKTU listeners to get involved by sharing SRW’s mission, following them on social media and consider being an ambassador for change. Kelly mentioned a current campaign for funds supporting a safe house for survivors of human trafficking in the Bronx. The facility provides residency, meals, counseling, job skills training, workshops, and other essential services to help individuals regain independence. It is temporarily closed until repairs can be funded and completed, and there is a waitlist building for residents.
Kelly has dedicated the last 7 years of her life volunteering full time for SRW. “The devotion to uplifting humanity is immeasurable. As the largest movement of women for good, Sisters are transforming the world’s trajectory and empowering others to create lasting change.”
“New York ranks #4 among the worst places for human trafficking due to its extensive waterways and international airports and its population,” Kelly shared. She encouraged listeners to visit SRW.org to learn more about the issue, and to recognize the signs and signals of trafficking.
When asked how the organization empowers Sisters to become catalysts for change in their communities, Kelly answers that the donors are the catalysts. “We need their help”, she exclaims. When sharing success stories, Sister Irene remarked, “the Sisters are both clever and practical.” In Senegal, they built a protective wall around an unsafe community outside a girls’ hostel where men loitered just outside. With funding from an SRW donor, this simple yet powerful solution created a safe environment, allowing students to focus on their education without the constant fear of assault.
Kelly and Sister Irene shared other powerful success stories, including those of Meena and Antoinette. Meena was trafficked for labor and living with a couple when, one day, the wife brutally beat her while the husband was away. Meena managed to escape and the Sisters found her, rescuing her from further harm. She was housed, fed, and educated in a school that SRW helped fund.
Antoinette, from Kenya, faced the exhausting task of walking miles to fetch water for her family every day, a responsibility that kept her from attending school. “With the help of generous donors,” Sister Irene explained, “the Sisters were able to build water catchments near her village, giving her time to attend school. She eventually earned a scholarship and went on to become a lawyer in Kenya.”
On SRW.org, Sister Irene mentioned listeners can support various ongoing initiatives, such as providing a vehicle to help with transportation for pregnant women to hospitals for safe deliveries, as well as transporting students to school to reduce the risk of human trafficking on their sometimes 12 mile walk. You can also learn about the mobile library that the nuns operate to protect children from abduction and the remarkable vertical garden the Sisters built, which supplies food for both consumption and sale in their community.
By amplifying voices like SRW’s, WKTU Cares is helping to shine a light on urgent social issues and empower communities to be part of the solution. Together, we can rise for justice, dignity, and hope.
Stay tuned to hear when the KTU Cares interview is aired and other exciting invites from various radio stations!
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