"Bearing the Burden: Mothers Trapped in Sex Trafficking" sheds light on how traffickers target single mothers, exploiting their vulnerabilities with promises of love and protection. Statistics reveal that a significant percentage of sex trafficking victims are mothers, facing extra challenges due to their caregiving responsibilities. The post shares Imani's story, a single mother trapped in exploitation despite her efforts to provide for her children.
REST, dedicated to ending sex trafficking, emphasizes raising awareness, supporting survivors, and advocating for change. By standing in solidarity, the post calls for collective action to end the exploitation of mothers and their families.
During National Volunteer Week (April 21-27), we're celebrating our amazing volunteers who are the heart of our organization. Their dedication to ending sex trafficking inspires us all. We thank them for their tireless efforts and invite others to join our mission. Together, we can create a brighter future for all.
As Women's History Month concludes, we're thrilled to announce leadership changes reflecting our commitment to empowering survivors and ending sex trafficking. Audrey Baedke is now Director of Training and Partnerships, Yasminda Dorrough as Director of Survivor Services, and Lisa O'Dell as Director of Development. Together, they'll drive our mission forward, expanding our impact and ensuring survivors receive the support they need.
June Guzman, a compassionate Case Manager at the ERC Emergency Shelter, embodies the essence of advocacy and empowerment. Guiding shelter guests through their 90-day stay, June's proactive approach and dedication to innovation shine through in her creation of essential tools like the Welcome Packet and the BinGO sheet, providing guests with vital information and visual aids to track progress. Inspired by her sixth-grade teacher's lessons on positivity during a challenging time, June is committed to mentoring and supporting younger generations, both within her family and in the community. Through her tireless efforts, June fosters a legacy of leadership and empowerment, demonstrating the transformative power of compassion and resilience in creating positive change.
Heather Brewer, an intrepid international entrepreneur, juggles her debut technology startup with her adventurous global exploits aboard her boat. With over 25 years in international management consulting, Heather's bold spirit propels her to navigate uncharted waters, both literally and figuratively. She mentors students and alumni at the University of Washington, fostering a culture of fearlessness and innovation. Her tenacity led her to establish the Certificate of International Studies in Business, reshaping the educational landscape for future leaders. Inspired by Chaitra Vedullapalli's Women in Cloud initiative, Heather champions empowerment and inclusivity, ensuring women and allies have the tools to thrive. As a dedicated community leader, Heather creates safe spaces for dialogue and support, nurturing the aspirations of younger generations and survivors of sex trafficking through her involvement with REST. Heather Brewer epitomizes resilience and empowerment, leaving a lasting legacy of courage and impact.
I joined REST on May 3rd as the Director of Philanthropy and Marketing.
I am grateful that my journey from Bangladesh has led me to REST. I look forward to partnering with you to spread love, safety, and hope. I can’t guarantee that the road will always be smooth, but I can guarantee that I will not stop walking alongside of victims and survivors of the sex trade and sex trafficking. I invite you to join me on this road.
Over the last few months, we’ve carefully evaluated our options from safety, achievability, and financial perspectives, and have decided to reimagine A Night of REST 2020 into a virtual soirée. We will deeply miss seeing your faces (and fancy outfits!) this year—but we wanted to make a safe and wise decision for our supporters, both those who have given in the past and those who will give through this year’s A Night of REST.
Most of the photographs on this website are stock photography, featuring models used for illustrative purposes only. With few carefully evaluated exceptions, we do not publish or share photos of REST clients.
