Antioch based Flowing Motion, owned by Roy Sorvari and family operated, a fully integrated martial arts school and health and wellness center committed to improving the quality of life, announced recently, that they have partnered with Feet First Foundation, a non-profit, whose objective is to provide trauma recovery for youth in crisis and reduce the incidence of human trafficking and child exploitation. 

•  According to Feet First Foundation statistics human trafficking is currently tied with illegal firearms for the second largest criminal industry in the world behind drugs. 

• California, New York, Texas, and Oklahoma have the largest concentration of human trafficking survivors in the US. 

• According to the US Attorneys General’s office, from 2010 -2014, California identified 1,277 victims and arrested 1,798 individuals.  

• In addition, the FBI identified San Francisco as one of the worst areas in the country for commercial sex exploitation of children. In 2015 alone, there were 499 human trafficking cases identified.

According to the FBI website, 84 minors were recovered and 120 traffickers were arrested as part of Operation Cross Country XI, a nationwide effort focusing on underage human trafficking that ran from October 12-15, 2017. The youngest victim recovered during the operation was 3 months old, and the average age of victims recovered during the operation was 15 years old.

Contra Costa County has experienced a steady increase in human trafficking over the last 10 years. In 2015 Contra Costa County identified 108 human trafficking victims. It is important to note that, according to county agencies, the true number is most likely significantly higher because of un-reporting due to the highly secretive nature of the crime.

Since 2017 Feet First Foundation has had phenomenal success helping participants overcome trauma, depression, anger, and anxiety. Statistically, the program has seen 75% reduction in depression, anger, and anxiety and 100% reduction in suicidal thoughts among participants.

With the great success of the Feet First Foundation program in the Martinez area, it’s only natural to want to bring these results to others.  The Feet First Foundation is opening another location in Antioch through Flowing Motion, located at 3158 Contra Loma Blvd.  

This program is endorsed by Kinder’s BBQ, In-N-Out Burger, the City of Martinez, the Mount Diablo School District, Love Never Fails, Pillars of Hope, the Contra Costa County District Attorney, local law enforcement, the National Human Trafficking Hotline, the US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots, Fightcore Gym, Shield Corps Security, A Step Forward, Red Sand Project, the Contra Costa 211 Hotline, and Slave2Nothing Foundation. 

The new Antioch Comfort Inn opened to the public on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Photos by Allen Payton

The most upscale hotel in Antioch and East County

The temporary Comfort Inn sign. The permanent one will be made of carbon fiber.

Ankit Panchal, General Manager, and owner Anil Patel announced today that Antioch Comfort Inn opened on Monday, October 1, 2018, at 2436 Mahogany Way, Antioch, CA. The opening of the Antioch Comfort Inn has been a collective effort by one of San Francisco’s entrepreneurial hotel successes, Choice Hotels and the City of Antioch under the leadership of Mayor Sean Wright.

Of all of the locations available, the decision to open in Antioch was truly a story of revival.

“We had to close on this quickly. But it was an easy decision. A great location near the highway and easily accessible, but what really made this attractive is the fact that the city is in the process of a rebranding effort and revitalization, and we wanted to be a part of that great transformation,” said Panchal. “We are experiencing and are a testament to the City’s new theme of Opportunity lives here.”

In attendance at the privately held Grand Opening were Mayor Wright and Council members Monica Wilson, Tony Tiscareno and Lori Ogorchock, City Manager Ron Bernal, and Chief of Police Tammany Brooks. Others in attendance and contributing to the ceremony were Patel, his son Shawn and their family, Panchal, a Choice Hotels representative and members of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.

Owner Anil Patel, with scissors, is joined by his family, Mayor Sean Wright and council members, General Manager Ankit Panchal, and city staff for the ribbon cutting to officially open the hotel on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018.

“On behalf of the City of Antioch…thank you for an amazing job you’ve done on the property,” Bernal said. “We appreciate the investment in Antioch. This is just another part of the quality of investment coming into our city. This is a great day for Antioch.”

Mayor Wright added his thoughts during the ribbon cutting.

“We have all watched you work for the last year in anticipation. Thank you for your investment in Antioch,” he reiterated.

The hotel’s all-suite rooms will each have tablets for ordering food and room service. All the well-appointed rooms feature modern and sophisticated decor, giving an air of elegance that provides a “rich” feel. Guests will be able to enjoy luxury and amenities usually only afforded patrons who visit the upscale, four-star hotels in San Francisco. The property has an outdoor pool, meeting space and a business center. Located just off the California Delta Highway 4, makes the hotel a convenient and accessible place for business travelers, construction workers, wedding parties, as well as conventioneers of large local and national events.

The one time challenged and embattled location, formerly the Ramada Inn, has been transformed. The new ownership, having trained their new management and staff in CPR and human trafficking, stresses safety and security as being the first and most important step in providing a comfortable and a relaxing stay.

Invited guests enjoyed the Grand Opening party at the new Antioch Comfort Inn.

As part of the transformation the hotel is the first in America to use the new Comfort brand logo, and it is totally green friendly, using only energy saving appliances, and LED lighting. Even their lighted sign is made of carbon fiber. The new owners and management team believe in giving back and have partnered with Clean The World program which recycles the extra soap and shampoo from rooms, and ships it to South Africa and other under privileged countries.

For guests only, a prepared daily appetizing and varied full buffet continental breakfast Bar; a Cocktail Reception Monday through Friday from 5-7 pm; and Thursdays will feature BBQ with entertainment. In the hotel’s lounge during football season will be presented a Sunday Night Football Party.

This not so modest hotel is a seven-minute walking distance from the Somersville Towne Center mall, as well as nearby retailers, 1.6 miles from the Contra Costa Event Park home of the county fair, and located between the recently opened Antioch and Pittsburg Center BART Stations.

The team at Antioch Comfort Inn are friendly people who take extra care of each guest to make sure that the level of services matches the luxury of the inn itself.

The hotel opens to the public, today October 2, 2018, at 2436 Mahogany Way, Antioch, CA and is taking bookings for holidays and parties immediately – although online booking will be available October 10th, 2018. For reservations call (925) 775-4239.