Project Light Rowan

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 💜

Domestic violence and human trafficking can overlap in ways people may not always recognize.

Both can involve patterns of power, control, isolation, threats, financial abuse, and coercion. For someone experiencing abuse, that vulnerability can also increase the risk of exploitation.

At Project LIGHT, part of interrupting the cycle is helping our community recognize the warning signs and understand that exploitation does not always look the way we expect it to.

This month, we stand with survivors and with the organizations working every day to provide safety, support, and hope.

Awareness matters. Knowing the signs matters. Speaking up matters.

We have so much to share! 💙

The past few weeks have been full at Project LIGHT—from Fiesta Night and community presentations to some exciting news about members of our Board.

We’re grateful for every opportunity to REACH, RESPOND, and RESTORE—and especially grateful for the people who make this work possible.

Take a look at our latest Project LIGHT update 👇

What a night for the ONE! 💚 Email from Project LIGHT Rowan Inc. Fiesta Night photos, September highlights, our new website, and more. What a night for the ONE! Fiesta Night was a full house! We heard keynote speaker Alicia Kozak

Our new website is live! 💙

We wanted to create a place that clearly shares who we are, why this work matters, and how you can be part of it.

Whether you want to learn more about human trafficking and exploitation, request a training, find support, or get involved with Project LIGHT, we hope you’ll take a look around.

A special thank you to .cc for helping us bring this vision to life!

Visit www.projectlightrowan.org and let us know what you think.

Our Project LIGHT family has so much to celebrate! 💙

We are thrilled to welcome Maria Lowder to our Board of Directors. As Head of Schools at North Hills Christian School, Maria has a deep heart for the next generation. For more than 10 years, she has helped lead North Hills in its mission to “equip the hearts and minds of students to impact the world for Christ.”

Her love for young people and her desire to see them grow, thrive, and walk confidently in who God created them to be make her a wonderful addition to Project LIGHT. We are so grateful for her yes!

We are also proud to congratulate board member Dr. F. Wayne Laney on receiving an Excellence in Teaching Award from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Dr. Laney brings both his experience as an educator and his former law enforcement experience to our board, and we are thankful for the wisdom and heart he brings to this work.

Please join us in welcoming Maria and celebrating Dr. Laney!

Read more about Dr. Laney’s recognition in the Salisbury Post:
https://www.salisburypost.com/2026/09/16/rowan-cabarrus-announces-excellence-in-teaching-award-recipients/

This morning, Project LIGHT had the opportunity to speak with juniors and seniors at Jesse C. Carson High School about human trafficking, online grooming, sextortion, and how to report concerns.

One of the most important messages we shared was this: exploitation does not always look the way we expect. It can begin with attention, an online conversation, or someone who recognizes a vulnerability and knows how to use it.

If someone threatens you with an image, paying rarely makes it stop. Save the evidence. Block the account. Report it. Tell a trusted adult.

Thank you to Carson High School for making space for this important conversation—and to the students for listening so attentively.

Awareness gives young people the tools to protect themselves, recognize when a friend may need help, and speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

Together, we can interrupt the cycle. 💙

We are so grateful to the Salisbury Post for capturing the heart of Fiesta Night and helping share why this work matters.

Alicia Kozak and Tonya courageously reminded us that behind every statistic is a real person—a life worthy of being seen, protected, and restored.

We cannot change what happened in their stories, but together, we can help change the story of the next ONE. 💙

Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported this evening, and continues to stand with Project LIGHT. One life matters.

Read the Salisbury Post article below.

https://www.salisburypost.com/2026/09/21/one-life-matters-survivors-share-stories-during-project-light-fundraiser/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUf-m9wZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR70pukBmqwgnbR2flkSbYMJcyZL-oUiDYxyiZVpAyY_KClzWzWqDDHbqL7-wA_aem_oOF9HMdWLR1LESsISLcLcw

'One life matters': Survivors share stories during Project LIGHT fundraiser - Salisbury Post SALISBURY — “That’s why we do what we do. We do it for the one.” Those were the words of Shari Evans, executive director of Project LIGHT, as she thanked […]

We had a great time training truck driving students at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute!

Truck drivers are on the road every day and can be in a unique position to recognize when something just isn’t right. We’re thankful for our partnership with TAT Nonprofit and the tools they provide to help equip drivers to recognize and respond to human trafficking.

And yes…everyone got a TAT tumbler too! 😄

This year, we’ve trained 70 truck driving students at Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute, Mitchell Community College, Wilkes Community College, and Surry Community College.

So thankful for every opportunity to get this information into the hands of people who may one day be in the right place at the right time. 💙

What a night! 💙

Fiesta Night: For the ONE brought a packed house together around one shared belief: every life matters, and each of us can make a difference for the ONE.

Alicia Kozak’s powerful story reminded us why this work is so urgent. Tonya’s story filled the room with hope—showing what can happen when someone is seen, valued, loved, and connected to help.

We were also honored to celebrate Project LIGHT’s founders, Drs. Jim and Linda Duncan, with the presentation of a Congressional Record honoring Dr. Duncan’s lifetime of service and recognizing the enduring legacy of the Duncan family through Project LIGHT.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, leaned into these stories, and stood with us for the ONE.

We cannot change the stories already written—but together, we can help change what happens next.

Read the Congressional Record:https://www.congress.gov/119/crec/2026/09/10/172/143/CREC-2026-09-10.pdf

No time for a SIESTA… it’s time to FIESTA! 🎉

Fiesta Night: For the ONE is TOMORROW!

We’ve planned. We’ve prepared. We’ve prayed. And now we’re ready to welcome you for one incredible night centered on ONE mission and the ONE whose story is still being written.

Come hungry. Come hear the stories. Come see the impact. Come stand with us For the ONE.

Rowan Community Event Center
1965 Jake Alexander Blvd W, Salisbury
Doors open at 5:30 PM
Program begins at 6:00 PM

One night. One mission. For the ONE. 💙