At Jesus of Nazareth Ministries, we take the privacy of our visitors very seriously. We respect your privacy and do not rent, sell, lease or exchange our mailing lists. This policy does not apply to companies that Jesus of Nazareth Ministries does not own or control, or to individuals that are not under Jesus of Nazareth Ministries supervisory control. This privacy policy and terms of use explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information when you use our website.

When you visit our website, we may collect certain types of information about you. This may include:

Personal Information: We may collect personal information such as your name, postal address, phone number, credit or debit card information, phone number and email address when you sign up for our newsletter, fill out a contact form or donate. We will never sell or exchange your information, nor will we give your information away to any third parties. All information is kept confidential and is stored purely for internal usage by Jesus of Nazareth Ministries.

Log Data: Like many websites, we automatically collect log data when you visit Jesus of Nazareth Ministries site. This may include your IP address, browser type, operating system, and other technical information about your device.

Cookies: We may use cookies to improve your experience on our site, such as keeping you logged in, which saves time, or remembering your preferences.  Cookies are electronic identifiers that are transferred automatically to your computer through your browser that allow our computers to save certain information you provide us and store information about you so we can recognize you when you visit our website in the future. You may, at any time, disable or refuse to accept cookies by changing the preferences or settings on your web browser. If you choose to disable cookies, you will still be able to use our website. However, you will not be able to fully take advantage of certain automations and other functionality features available.

How We Use Your Information: We use the information we collect from you to:

Provide and improve our services to you.

Communicate with you, such as sending you our newsletter or responding to your inquiries.

Analyze how our website is used and to customize our content and advertising you see on social media platforms.

We will only use your personal information for the purpose it was intended for, and we will not share, rent, lease, exchange or sell your personal information with third parties unless required by law or to fulfill a service you have requested. We collect only the information that you voluntarily provide on our forms. If you give by credit card or complete a contact information form, you may be added to our general distribution mailing list, if requested, and may be sent periodic updates about the work of Jesus of Nazareth Ministries. Jesus of Nazareth Ministries will not send you an email that you have not agreed to receive. This information is not made available to third parties. Visitors can browse through the Jesus of Nazareth Ministries site without providing any personal information.

 

Financial donations made through the online giving form on the Jesus of Nazareth Ministries site are kept secure and confidential on our web server and are not publicly accessible. At times, in-kind/non-cash material contributions in the United States are processed through online fundraising platform Qgiv, you may contact them via 1-888-855-9595.

How We Protect Your Information: We take appropriate security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. We use industry standard security technologies and procedures to protect your personal information. All of our websites run under full-time encryption via Secure Socket Layer (“SSL”), Internet Encryption Software to protect your credit card information during your online transaction. Once we receive your credit card information, it is accessible only to a small number of trusted Jesus of Nazareth Ministries employees who have been specially trained in processing this information. All user accounts must be accessed with information that the user alone has access-to. 

Children’s Privacy: Our website is not intended for children under the age of 13. We are concerned about the privacy of young children. We do not knowingly collect or store personal information from children under the age of 13. If you are under the age of 13, please do not use our website or provide us with any personal information. We encourage you to become involved with your child’s access to the Internet and to our site in order to ensure that his or her privacy is well protected. To learn more about online safety and how to become more involved with your child’s online experience, visit the Federal Trade Commission Website. You may also benefit from the information and resources available on ProtectKids.com.

Links to other Websites: Our website may contain links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these other websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these websites.

Account Policy: Jesus of Nazareth Ministries reserves the right to deactivate or remove any user accounts provided at www.jesusofnazarethministries.com without a notice if the user has provided wrong information, has violated common internet policies or if the account has been inactive for more than 60 days.

Changes to our Privacy and Terms of Use: We reserve the right to make changes to our privacy and terms of use at any time. Any changes we make to our privacy and terms of use will be posted on this page.

EU users GDPR: Unless EU users explicitly ask Jesus of Nazareth Ministries to keep their data, we will actively remove all EU user data that is not required to maintain for donation-reporting or tax-reporting requirements.

Contact us if you have any questions about our privacy and term of use policy or the personal information we have collected about you, please contact us through our contact page or email us at jesusofnazarethmin@gmail.com. 

Jesus of Nazareth Ministries is determined and committed to the safety and protection of children, vulnerable communities, and anyone serving in our ministry.  Jesus of Nazareth Ministries has zero tolerance for incidents of abuse against children and other people in the communities we serve, either committed by our staff or others connected with our work.

We have no use for any misuse of power, status, or trusted position for any sexual or other exploitive purposes. We endeavor to expose and root out opportunities for abuse in our prevention and training efforts. Continuous improvement of safeguarding efforts, which emphasizes prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse is an ongoing effort in order to achieve the highest standards of protection. 

 

JESUS OF NAZARETH MINISTRIES CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

INTRODUCTION & SUMMARY

The purpose of this Child Protection Policy is to provide a framework for staff, volunteers, and visitors that aims to protect children and reduce the risk of child abuse or exploitation by:

1. Establishing strong preventative measures that discourage any potential abuser from participating in our organization
2. Protecting against child abuse and exploitation of any kind
3. Providing immediate orientation and on-going training to all staff, volunteers, and
   visitors
4. Following a strict reporting procedure in accordance with US standards and laws of each associated ministry’s jurisdiction.

Jesus of Nazareth Ministries is committed to creating and maintaining a caring and protective environment which promotes the Iris core values and prevents and addresses child abuse and exploitation. We take a zero-tolerance stance and strongly condemn all forms of child abuse and exploitation. This policy aims to ensure mechanisms are in place to aid prevention, protect children, encourage reporting, and facilitate a swift response.

Jesus of Nazareth Ministries works in accordance with the UNCRC standard: The best interest of the child is our primary consideration. Every child has the right to develop to his or her full potential, to quality education, participation and non-discrimination. Everybody has the responsibility to protect children from all forms of abuse, abandonment, exploitation, violence and discrimination.

In order to prevent and respond to child abuse, it is crucial that we as an organization reach a common understanding as to what child abuse is and in which circumstances our policies and procedures apply. According to the UNCRC, a child is “every human being below the age of 18 years unless national law recognizes the age of majority earlier.” Jesus of Nazareth Ministries applies a broader definition for this child protection policy to include young adults who participate in any of our programs. Additionally, we recognize that child abuse takes place in all countries and societies around the world. Jesus of Nazareth Ministries respects all cultures and religions and seeks to use a broad intercultural and interdisciplinary approach to create a definition that recognizes the vast cultural, religious, social, political, legal and economic differences that children experience.

This policy document is binding for Jesus of Nazareth Ministries and all member associations. Each member association shall define clear reporting and responding structures in accordance with local child protection regulations. This policy is subject to consistent review and improvement; any modifications will be disseminated and implemented in a timely manner.

 

GOALS OF THE CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

 This policy aims at:

• preventing cases of child abuse;
• reducing the number of child-to-child incidents in facilities and programs in each
  member association;
• informing children, personnel, board members, family and community members,
  visitors, volunteers, and partners (sponsors, donors, journalists, governmental authorities, etc.) about the child protection policy and related procedures (awareness, prevention, reporting, responding);
• encouraging personnel directly involved with children to apply the skills needed to contribute to each child’s development and protection;
• ensuring that all personnel have the working conditions needed to contribute to each child’s development and protection;
• fostering open and honest discussions on child abuse at Family Gatherings and workshops in all programs and facilities amongst all stakeholders (children, young adults and their families, child and youth care personnel, management staff, board members, teachers, maintenance and security staff, etc.);
• putting in place fair, secure, and transparent reporting channels in all types of programs that guarantee the right of stakeholders to be heard;
• forming an active network of protection so all children and adults in our organization are safe and protected.

DEFINITIONS AND TERMINOLOGY

1. Physical abuse is the actual or potential physical harm caused by an action or lack of action, which is reasonably within the control of the parent or person in a position of responsibility, power, or trust.
2. Sexual abuse is evidenced by an activity between a child and an adult; the activity being intended to gratify or satisfy the needs of the other person in predatory and reenacting behavior. Child sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. This may also include involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways including kissing, touching, or pushing boundaries in any manner.

3. Neglect and negligent treatment is the inattention or omission on the part of the caregiver to provide for the development of the child in all aspects of the child’s safety, health, and development. This includes the failure to properly supervise and protect children from harm as much as is feasible.
4. Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child that adversely affects his or her self-perception and development. Acts include restricting movement, threatening, scaring, discriminating, scapegoating, corrupting, ridiculing, degrading, bullying, humiliating (e.g. asking potentially embarrassing questions, demanding potentially embarrassing action), or other non-physical forms of hostile or rejecting treatment.

PREVENTION

To prevent child abuse and exploitation, we need to create and maintain an environment which from the outset is not attractive to any potential abuser.

1. “Zero Tolerance” standard is stated explicitly on the website.
2. The highest standards of selection, recruitment, and verification procedures are
   applied to all potential staff, volunteers, and visitors.
3. Applicants for any position, whether staff or volunteer, will disclose any previous
   criminal record. This is accomplished through providing a police check (i.e. fingerprints and background checks) and any other appropriate check, and cross-checking of references. All information gathered during the application process will be preserved in a secure personnel file.
4. Staff, volunteers, and visitors are encouraged to regularly share experiences within and between associated ministries and programs regarding how they approach child protection.

PROTECTION

1. In all cases of suspected or proven child abuse or exploitation, the focus is placed on safeguarding and protecting the child. At the same time, healing measures are provided and the protection of all persons involved is critically important. The affected persons receive the necessary counseling and support.
2. All staff, volunteers, and visitors will conduct themselves in a way that safeguards children from all forms of abuse and exploitation;
3. Jesus of Nazareth Ministries is responsible for the review of the child protection policy and related procedures. All updates and changes will be distributed immediately to all associated ministry centers for their immediate implementation.

TRAINING

1. All personnel will receive an orientation and on-going training to affirm their
   understanding of, and commitment to, our child protection policy.
2. Mandatory on-going training will be provided at regular intervals during service tenure.
3. Child protection policy and procedure are addressed at each visitor orientation.

REPORTING

1. We take all allegations seriously and take appropriate action in accordance with New York State child protection laws, those in the jurisdiction of the associated ministry, and in the jurisdiction of residence for the alleged abuser.
2. Each associated ministry must thoroughly know and apply the child protection laws in their locale.
3. All personnel are obliged to immediately provide any information he or she has regarding a possible case of child abuse or exploitation to a member of the associated ministry leadership team. Any adult who withholds information or covers up any kind of abuse or exploitation is considered an accomplice.
4. Upon awareness of an allegation of child abuse or exploitation, associated ministry has 36 hours to report to local agency.
5. Adherence to a Whistle Blower Policy is critical to maintaining a safe environment to voice concerns of abuse or exploitation.
6. For all abuse or exploitation allegations, an internal investigation is carried out.
7. If abuse or exploitation is confirmed whether through internal investigation or by local child welfare authorities, legal steps will be taken in accordance with the national reporting for the local jurisdiction and in the jurisdiction of the resident for the perpetrator. Jesus of Nazareth Ministries must be notified if allegations are confirmed.
8. The response to child-to-child abuse focuses on what is best for all children involved and in coordination with local child welfare authorities.

Failure to comply with this policy may result in loss of ability to receive funds through Jesus of Nazareth Ministries, revocation of license agreement, and dissociation in promotional materials.