Please join us in welcoming our new Director of Survival Care, Mandie Hoehne!

Mandie has been volunteering with Reclaiming Hope, The Place, the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado and the Diversion program for several years. God led her to ask about a job with Reclaiming Hope this spring… and here she is! We asked Mandie to answer the questions below so you get a sense of her personality, faith and dedication to our mission. 

1. What is your role at Reclaiming Hope and what are you most excited about? 
God has led me to this exact placement through a series of small steps. I’m excited to work with the amazing group of Mentors we have and collaborate with them while serving our Mentees. I’m most excited about the possibility of new housing solutions. Housing is very difficult to find and the people we mentor deserve any blessing we can give them. 
 
2. Why is this cause so important to you? 
Because this is one of the most vulnerable populations among us. Many of these Survivors come out of the foster care system and do not have a support system as they journey into adulthood. They need Mentors to come alongside them to uplift them as they walk through the difficulties of life and especially their trauma.  

3. What do you wish trafficking survivors knew about God and hope? 
My wish for all of our Mentees is for them to see God in our Mentors and be intrigued enough to find out more. As we show them who Christ is through our love for them, I wish for us to also give them hope of their future with Him.  

4. What do you wish more people knew about human trafficking? 
I wish people really understood that human trafficking exists. I think we are learning more as a society, but there are still many people who do not understand exactly what human trafficking is and even how they are playing a role in it. There is so much to learn about why people end up trafficked and how the community can get involved in eradicating trafficking altogether.  

5. What bible verse do you return to for encouragement? 
1 Peter 5:7 I will cast all my cares upon him because he cares for me. 
He is the only one who can help us discern what He wants for our life and what we should do daily. When we have worries, He is the answer.  

We are so blessed to have Mandie on our team, and couldn’t be more excited to see what God has in store with her as our Director of Survival Care! Her joyful enthusiasm and care for others has already impacted so many people around us. Please reach out to welcome her into our community! 

Mandie is beginning to plan our next Mentor Training. If you’re interested in being trained to walk with a Survivor, please fill out the form on our website; it will automatically go to Mandie when you hit “submit”. She’ll then connect with you.

In prayers and in Christ, 
Sues Hess
Executive Director

IN THE NEWS AND RESOURCES

REGISTER FOR THE CESE GLOBAL SUMMIT ON JULY 20-24
The Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation (CESE) is hosting its second virtual Global Summit on July 20-24, 2021. More than 100 speakers will address the modern day issues of human trafficking. The theme of this year’s conference is “Building a Future Free of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.” Registration is free!

CALL ON CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE
A group of more than 700 survivors of various forms of sexual exploitation and victims’ advocates is calling on Congress to launch a criminal investigation into Pornhub and its parent company MindGeek.

SPECIALIZED CARE NOW AVAILABLE AT UCHealth
Nurses in this specialized program are receiving additional training to serve patients who have been impacted by relational violence. In this follow-up clinic, doctors can make sure people are healing mentally and emotionally after experiencing trauma. 

ONGOING ILLICIT SPA INVESTIGATION
Two years ago, KRDO first reported on the dozens of illicit spas operating in Colorado Springs. In the station’s ongoing investigation, they dive into how Aurora, Wheat Ridge, and Commerce City have adopted local ordinances aimed at getting illicit massage businesses out of their communities in the last few years. This is an issue our City Council is beginning to address. 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Are you joining us this evening for our monthly prayer night? We’re re-launching the event tonight (4/29) at 6 p.m. and will join together on the final Thursday of every month from this point forward. Join us at our new office tonight to lift our prayers to the One who restores hope. 
 
  • Pray for a Mentee who is safe now and curious about a faith that can heal and help her overcome her past.
  • Pray for one Mentee to have the courage and trust to follow God’s guidance and uphold healthy boundaries with her family.
  • Pray for other Mentees who are pursuing sobriety and navigating pregnancy. 
  • Please pray that the Lord bless all who donate items for our Restoration Bags! We also ask the Lord to bless and strengthen each Victim Advocate and Specialist we ship our Restoration Bags to; may they find rest in their down time.
  • Please pray for Mandie, our new Director of Survivor Care, as she begins ministering with us. We’ll introduce you to her soon!
  • We are looking to change our look to more appropriately indicate that we do Restoration Bags for both men and women; we need wisdom and discernment.
  • We are grateful for each donation made in support of our work; thank you to those who give sacrificially so that we may journey with Survivors of sex trafficking!