We’re buzzing with gratitude and momentum this February! The 31:8 Project team has been on the road across North Dakota, visiting classrooms and presenting to students of many grade levels about online safety, human trafficking, and the other complicated challenges young people face in an ever-changing digital world. Seeing students engage, ask thoughtful questions, and take control over their own safety has been energizing. It reminds us why this work matters every day.

A huge thank you to everyone who opened their hearts on Giving Hearts Day. Because of your generosity, we not only reached our goal - we exceeded it. Your gifts power prevention education, survivor support, and community outreach across our state. We are deeply grateful to each donor who made that possible.

We’re also excited to announce another impactful keynote speaker for this year’s Human Trafficking Summit. Stay tuned, because we have more speaker news coming soon. Tickets and community tables are moving quickly, so if you plan to join us in May, now is the time to lock in your spot. This event is one of the best ways to deepen your understanding, connect with regional experts, and help build a safer future for vulnerable people in our communities.

We hope this issue informs and inspires you. Thank you for standing with us, for the work, the compassion, and the community. Enjoy the read, and as always thank you for being part of 31:8 Project's journey.

31:8 Project is honored to announce John-Michael Lander as one of the keynote speakers at our 6th Annual Human Trafficking Summit, taking place May 19-20, 2026, in Bismarck. Lander is a former Olympic-bound diver whose own trafficking experience began at age 14, when the adults entrusted with his training betrayed him. He will share this remarkable personal story - of a “hometown hero” who was groomed and silenced by those he trusted - to help our community understand how trafficking can happen to anyone.

In his journey from athlete to advocate, John-Michael has built an inspiring career dedicated to education and healing. Key highlights of his work include:

• Founder & Survivor Advocate: He is the founder of An Athlete’s Silence, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness of sports-related sexual abuse. Using his own experience, Lander teaches others to recognize and disrupt abuse.

• Elite Athlete & Strategist: As a 14-year-old elite springboard diver, Lander competed internationally before being abused. He developed the concept of the Predatory Grooming Trifecta© and Predatory Internet Grooming© (PIG) to explain how predators first groom organizations and parents before exploiting the child. These frameworks are now used globally to train coaches, schools, and youth programs to spot warning signs.

• Author & Educator: Lander has authored two novels (Surface Tension, Cracked Surface) and several eBooks on grooming and prevention. His writing and speaking engagements - from classrooms to professional conferences - break the myths around abuse and show pathways to recovery.

• Certified Self-Talk Coach: Trained by the Self-Talk Institute, he works one-on-one with survivors to reprogram negative self-beliefs and reclaim their lives. Lander teaches that small daily changes in self-talk can lead to powerful transformations after trauma.

In his summit workshop, John-Michael will offer a gripping, personal account of his own exploitation and healing. He will describe how, despite being a white male from a stable community, he became a trafficking victim - an “opportunity” sold to him under the promise of Olympic success. His story challenges the stereotype of who can be exploited. Audiences will hear how respected professionals abused their power, and how Lander ultimately broke free to inspire and educate others. This session promises to be eye-opening and empowering, leaving attendees with new insight and practical prevention tools.

Summit Details & Registration

• Dates: May 19-20, 2026

• Location: St. Mary’s Central High School, Bismarck, ND

• Register Now!

• Community Tables: Organizations are encouraged to participate. Limited exhibitor tables are available for outreach and resource-sharing, but they are selling out fast. Contact us soon if your group would like to reserve a table.

We encourage everyone - professionals, parents, advocates, and community members - to register today. The 31:8 Project Human Trafficking Summit is an opportunity to learn from survivors like John-Michael Lander, gain actionable strategies, and strengthen our community against exploitation. Join us in Bismarck on May 19–20 and be part of this vital conversation.

As we gear up for 31:8 Project’s Human Trafficking Summit, we’re pleased to host a special community book discussion of Surface Tension by John-Michael Lander. This powerful, first-hand account adds meaningful context to John-Michael’s upcoming keynote and offers a quiet space to reflect, learn, and ask questions before the Summit in May.

What to expect
Together we’ll explore the themes of power, grooming, resilience, and recovery that run through the book. The discussion will balance careful attention to difficult material with hopeful conversation about prevention, advocacy, and how communities can support survivors. Come ready to share insights, ask questions, or simply listen and learn.

Event details
Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Morton Mandan Public Library

Please note: Given the nature of the content, this event is recommended for adults 18 and over.

Logistics & reading note
Copies of Surface Tension are available for purchase on Amazon. Reading the book beforehand is not required to attend, but it will enrich the conversation - and we highly encourage it if you can.

Why attend
This book discussion is a meaningful lead-in to the 6th Annual Human Trafficking Summit and a chance to connect with fellow community members who care about prevention, survivor-centered support, and systemic change. Bring a friend (or two) and join us for an evening of thoughtful dialogue and community learning.

This month, 31:8 Project's Survivor Mentorship Program has been bursting with wins. We welcomed a wave of new members who’ve already begun building strong, supportive connections, and the group is buzzing with excitement about an upcoming retreat designed for rest, renewal, and deeper community. Our recent laundry soap drive was a tremendous success and has provided essential supplies to many survivors, meeting tangible needs while reminding participants they are supported and valued. We’re also thrilled to share that several program members have been working diligently toward their goals, with a couple recently securing meaningful employment - a milestone worth celebrating! Weekly gatherings continue to foster trust, accountability, and encouragement as survivors walk alongside one another in strength and resilience. It’s inspiring to witness confidence growing, goals being set, and hope taking root in practical ways. If you’d like more information about the Survivor Mentorship Program, please visit 318project.org/mentorship. We always welcome donors and community partners who want to join us in supporting survivors on their journey forward.