Friday, September 25, 2015

CCSO Human Trafficking Unit Honored By DLC

Detective Andy Henchesmoore and Victim Advocate Marisol Schloendorn were honored by the David Lawrence Center for their efforts to help victims of human trafficking during the annual Recovery Month awards ceremony Thursday. Photo by Sgt. Wade Williams/CCSO



The David Lawrence Center honored the Collier County Sheriff’s Office’s Human Trafficking Unit during the annual Recovery Month awards ceremony Thursday.

The DLC recognized Detective Andy Henchesmoore and Victim Advocate Marisol Schloendorn, who make up the human trafficking unit, for their involvement in community outreach and referral.

In 2005, CCSO started the first federally funded human trafficking task force in Florida. Detective Henchesmoore and VA Schloendorn
are helping victims of human trafficking access trauma services,  mental health care and substance abuse treatment as well as putting their captors behind bars.

The DLC is a nonprofit mental health and substance abuse treatment facility serving children, adults and families in Collier County. DLC joins other voices of recovery from across the nation in observing the 26th annual national Recovery Month. The event is held in September to help increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance abuse disorder. It also helps to promote the message that behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment is effective and people recover.

Thursday’s ceremony at the New Hope Community Center, 7676  Davis Blvd., East Naples, recognized individuals and organizations in Collier County for their outstanding contributions to support those in recovery.


Collier County Public Schools, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, The Rev. Tommy Sloan of St. Matthew’s House, and George Callahan were also honored at the ceremony,