May Newsletter

Happy Mother’s Day. To those with and those without children.

I used to represent a global non-profit in the world of sports – where many within that movement called me “Mama Sues”. That’s because my role was one of equipping and encouraging. Perhaps that’s your role in someone’s life. That’s often the role of our Mentors in the lives of their Mentees (Survivors). If you fill that role in someone’s life: Happy Mother’s Day to you!

Some of the Survivors we have worked with are birth mothers, but due to life circumstances, they may not have had the day-to-day role of raising their children. Would you please join us in praying specifically for them this weekend? It can be heart-shattering to see other families joyfully celebrating together when your own arms are empty.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Summer means something different for each of us – but for kids, it generally means more free time. Many kids will spend unlimited time on their phones and tablets during the long days of summer.

Be willing to be the neighborhood “parents” if that’s needed. Create safe spaces in your homes and communities; make them sanctuaries of love and safety. Help kids to feel heard, valued and protected.

If you have kids in your home, be diligent in setting boundaries with social media. Bark is a useful app for that. Consider having a house rule – phones and tablets (and laptops) are only to be used in common spaces, never in bedrooms or bathrooms.

Summer is a time of increased child abuse. Some of the survivors we have walked with were sexually abused as children; that abuse has impacted the rest of their lives.

Child abuse robs kids of their joy, their dignity and safety.

Can you recognize the signs of abuse? Signs such as:

• Unexplained injuries or a frequent history of accidents
• Withdrawal from normal activities and relationships
• Changes in behavior
• Fear of going home, or wanting to avoid contact with specific people
• Signs of depression and/or anxiety

What can you do when you see these signs?

• Their first need is to be able to talk with a trusted friend. Other needs will become apparent as they talk – for safety, counseling, compassion and hope.
• Support their healing journey. We offer support to Survivors of sex trafficking. Are you aware of other groups who offer support?

Use the summer to learn, as a family or individually, how to spot the signs of trafficking. Click the links below for useful resources:

Blue Campaign Youth Guide

Homeland Security Awareness Videos

The Survivors we walk with each have unique healing journeys. That often includes physical challenges, including safe housing, transportation needs, therapy, learning life skills, and sometimes even surgery. We are part of a collaborative group of service providers who focus on helping victims; our survivors need as much healthy help as they can access. (In a typical month, we’ll collaborate with up to 40 agencies!) We encourage them to not allow their past trauma to define their own future.

To practically help Survivors redefine their futures, we’re developing trauma-informed job training. Watch for news about this in the next few months!

We’re grateful for those of you who walk with us along this path to provide opportunities for survivors to find healing, hope, and community, even families sometimes. If you want to learn more about our Mentor Program, let us know!

Thanks to each of you for helping us to support these Survivors each step of the way.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Betty Edwards founded the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado in 2008 to end modern day slavery in southern Colorado. Betty recently died, leaving a true legacy of teaching many in our community about trafficking. Betty – thank you for a job well done!

We invite you to join the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado, which meets in our office (615 Wooten Road) the 2nd Tuesday each month, 5:45-7:15 pm!

Blessings,
Sues Hess, Exec. Dir., and the RHope Team