January Newsletter

Dear Friends of Reclaiming Hope,

Thank you. Many of you make it possible for us to help survivors discover hope by making financial donations. We’re especially grateful for those who helped us finish 2025 in a better financial position than we were in all year.

We strive to use your gifts wisely so that they have the greatest possible impact in the lives of the survivors we work with. And we look forward to the opportunities we’ll have in 2026 to serve survivors.

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness month!

Because you receive this newsletter, I assume that you know something about the current state of human trafficking. But do your family members? Friends?

I want to challenge you to help us get the word out regarding Human Trafficking. Some very basic facts: More people are slaves today than at any point in history.

Trafficking isn’t just something that happens overseas, or far away. It happens in every city, every community, and even every neighborhood in America.

Human traffickers victimize an estimated 50 million people worldwide. That is 1 out of every 150 people in the world. Trafficking generates an estimated $150.2 billion per year.

According to the United Nations’ International Labour Organization:

• 77% of all victims are in forced labor
• 23% of all victims are in sex trafficking
• Within sex trafficking
  • 78% are women and girls and 22% are men and boys
  • 92% are adults and 8% are children

Who are the most vulnerable?

70-90% of victims have a history of sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse.

LGBTQ+ youth are up to 5 x more likely to be victims than others.

Children in foster care are more vulnerable.

The internet is the #1 recruitment tool used today by predators and human traffickers, according to a Colorado FBI Agent.

One of our clients said: “One thing I want everyone to know is that victims of human trafficking come from all walks of life – it doesn’t just happen to people who are low income or anything. It knows no boundaries. Traffickers don’t discriminate.”

Reclaiming Hope journeys with survivors of sex trafficking to discover hope. Join us to address trafficking in practical ways!

Is there any good news? In Colorado a bi-partisan group is proposing a new bill in the 2026 legislative session to ramp up penalties for people who pay for kids or sexual gratification. The current penalty for predators who buy commercial sexual exploitation of children is a class 4 felony with the possibility of probation. The new law would make this a class 3 felony, with no chance of probation. Please encourage your state representatives to support this bill so that it becomes law.

If you want to learn more, this Saturday, Jan. 10 is the annual Human Trafficking Task Force Symposium. Click below for details about this free event:

Sarah’s Home offers free HT training. Their next opportunity is January 24; again, a link is below.

With gratitude and hope,

Sues Hess
Executive Director
Reclaiming Hope