First, Reclaiming Hope has released a comprehensive list of Survivor Resources! This PDF document is available to anyone on our website and lists a variety of resources for Survivors and those invested in Survivor Care:
- Advocacy and Training Opportunities
- Case Management
- Child Support
- Counseling
- Education
- Employment
- Food Assistance
- Health Services
- Local Housing and Household Needs and Goods
- Legal Assistance
- Survivor Mentorship
- Military
- Parenting and Pregnancy Support
- Substance Use Treatment
Second, we’re celebrating how we talk about the people we connect directly with at Reclaiming Hope and the phases of recovery through our Survivor Care program. Reclaiming Hope offers practical help to women at each phase of their recovery. Here’s how we speak about the process:
- Hope Seekers are new Survivors who contact us shortly after they begin rebuilding their lives.
- Feedback from a Hope Seeker: “I am looking forward to a new chance at life. To know that I am more!”
- Hopeful Women are matched with trained, accountable Mentors. Survivors’ emotional, physical and relational needs are addressed in the context of a long-term, trusted relationship through our Mentor Program.
- Feedback from a Hopeful Woman: “I am thankful for the unconditional love and support I get from my mentor, who never gives up on me.”
- Hope Claimers are the women who have transitioned out of our Mentor Program, and are no longer defined by their past.
- Feedback from a Hope Claimer: “I believe my recovery is the most important part of my story. Life is so exciting and full of wonder!”
Thirdly, we are hiring a new Survivor Care Manager, a part-time position. This position provides leadership for Mentors and Mentees, and serves in the community on behalf of the Mentor Program. They will assist our Director of Survivor Care to recruit, interview, train and supervise our Mentors, in addition to working directly with our Hopeful Women. This person would also help with event planning and communications. If you are interested in learning more, or know of someone who could be interested, please email Sues: sues@reclaiming-hope.org.
Finally, the Crime Victim Services Funding bill has passed through the Colorado House and Senate during this year’s legislative session. SB22-183, now just waiting for Governor Polis’s signature, will allocate $48M to victim services funding. This is a huge win for those who help crime victims (Survivors) address their trauma and also to keep grants available and community-based advocacy centers that help victims of trafficking, domestic abuse and sexual assault running. We don’t receive any direct funding through this, but we do refer the Survivors we work with to agencies who do!
You can read more here:
- KRDO: Crime Victim Services funding bill to provide millions for Colorado advocacy centers
- Colorado Politics: Legislation supports sex assault victims
- Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance
In prayers and in Christ,
Sues Hess
Executive Director
IN THE NEWS AND RESOURCES
Shutting Down Illicit Spas in Colorado Springs
The Colorado Springs City Council unanimously voted to pass a law aimed at shutting down illicit massage parlors. According to the new ordinance, it will be unlawful for a massage parlor to operate within the City of Colorado Springs without a valid massage business license for each premise starting September 1. Massage licenses must be renewed yearly, and the annual fee is currently set at $110.
Presentation: Youth Online Sexual Exploitation
The online sexual abuse of children is a problem growing at an exponential rate with very few sustainable solutions being implemented. Listen to this presentation to learn how youth experience online sexual abuse and what we can do about it.
Colorado Trafficker Charged
A Boulder man was charged with 30 counts of financial and sexual exploitation and violence against three women and a child.
Trafficking in Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to the largest movement of people in Europe since WWII. Traffickers are taking advantage of the turmoil to target vulnerable Ukrainians for sexual and labor exploitation.
PRAYER REQUESTS
- We continuously send Hope Bags across the nation; in fact, we’ve already sent 294 Hope Bags in 2022! May they communicate God’s unconditional love for the Survivors who receive them.
- The economy has had an impact on our support so far in 2022. May the Lord bless all who sacrificially give to support our ministry.
- Some of our Mentees are involved in active court cases. Please pray for judges to rule with wisdom and discernment.
- May the connections listed on our Survivor Resource List help Survivors find the services they need.
- Ask the Lord to bless and strengthen each Victim Advocate/Specialist we ship our Hope Bags to – that they may find rest in their down time and continued safety while working.
- Many Mentees struggle with triggers from past trauma. Please pray they find healing and restoration in those moments and in every new day.
HOPE BAG REQUEST
JOIN US MAY 21, 2022
We’ll have a booth at the rodeo and we’re excited to see you there! You can STILL purchase tickets on their website! (Use the code “faith” or “family” to get $3 off per ticket.)
SAVE THE DATE FOR SEPT. 18, 2022
THANK YOU
Reclaiming Hope can only meet the needs of Survivors as our community equips us to do so. We are grateful for each person who helps – through donations for our mentees, our Hope Bags, and financial donations, and by volunteering.
And we’re grateful for the following groups and organizations that have worked with us in the last few months! Thank you!
