Meet Mandy and Cecil, two compassionate individuals at REST. Mandy, a mental health therapist, has supported over 100 survivors, specializing in trauma treatment. Cecil, a wellness coach, draws from personal struggles to offer hope to survivors. Both prioritize their own mental well-being while caring for others. Their dedication embodies REST's values, inspiring hope during Mental Health Awareness Month.
"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.
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.
On Saturday, October 5, hundreds of REST supporters gathered to declare to the hundreds of victims and survivors of sexual exploitation that REST serves every year, “You deserve to be loved.” Together, they raised over $529,000 to provide pathways to freedom, safety, and hope—and to a life beyond the sex trade.
At REST, it seems like we’re always up to something big: a resident finishes school and gains a degree, a survivor joins our support group and finds a meaningful community or we celebrate another survivor who has successfully escaped the sex trade for 30 days, 6 months or a year. These last few months have been no different. There is a lot to catch up on, and so much to celebrate!
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.
