National Human Trafficking Prevention Month: Send Essential Items Directly to Our Survivors
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, so we are celebrating The Salvation Army Orange County’s renowned Anti-Trafficking Services program. Since 2009, our caring staff has served more than 300 victims by treating the survivors with dignity and walking alongside them from crisis to sufficiency to thriving.
A Fresh Start
Mariah Marple, our Anti-Trafficking Resident Advocate, is a trafficking survivor and recalls a story of two women who were positively impacted by our staff and resources. These women came to Orange County together after actively fleeing their pimp when he recognized their car parked outside a safe house in Los Angeles County. They arrived at our safe home with their children and only the clothes on their backs.
They graduated from their 6-month program and their lives have completely transformed. The children are permanently attending school. Both women are working: one as a foster mom and in administration at a police department, and the other at a women’s shelter as a case manager.
This is just one example of our program’s success.
Give a Little: Give a lot
Of course financial donations are always welcome to support the staffing and operation of the safe homes, but we also welcome small gifts. Julie Turner, our Residential Supervisor, shares the opportunity to shop online for the survivors. It’s easy, it’s fun (who doesn’t love online shopping?), and it’s tax-deductible.
You can empower our survivors by purchasing gifts from one of two online wishlists: Amazon and Target. Order online and items are shipped directly to The Salvation Army Orange County’s safe homes. Choose from an extensive list that goes from laundry soap to clothing, even flip flops and furnishing for the survivors and safe homes. This is a great way to give directly to our survivors. Some items even go into a welcome basket that each survivor receives when they arrive at the safe home.
Mariah recounts a situation where a victim was rescued with no clothing at all. She was brought to the safe house, provided clean towels, soaps, and a shower. She was also given new leggings, a sweatshirt, and underwear. These items came from generous donors who had ordered them through the registries.
Click below to view our wishlists!