We are so excited to celebrate a board member this month! Shaye Meissen is a former mentor for Reclaiming Hope who is now bringing her experience and expertise to our Board of Directors!

We asked Shaye to answer a few questions for us: 
  • What are you most excited about being a Reclaiming Hope board member?
    • “I am excited to see the organization expand and serve survivors in a new way with the housing program.”
  • What do you wish more people knew about human trafficking? 
    • “That human trafficking is not something you just see in movies or other countries. It’s real and it’s devastating and it’s happening locally.”
  • What was it like to be a mentor? Is there a lesson you’ve learned from Survivors you’ve worked with? 
    • “Being a mentor was one of the most rewarding and also difficult experiences of my life. It taught me that I don’t have to understand Gods plan to trust in his goodness. It also reaffirmed my belief that prayer is often the best gift you can give someone. As a mentor, we pray for the girls regularly. I still pray for her today. And God hears those prayers.”
  • What is your go-to bible verse for encouragement?
    • “Don’t worry about anything. Pray about everything. Tell God for what you need and thank him for all he had done.” -Phil 4:6 
 
Thank you, Shaye, for serving on our Board! 

And thank you, reader, from the bottom of our hearts for the incredible — absolutely jaw-dropping! — year of 2021! We ended the year in the best financial position we’ve ever been in; the Board is instrumental in guiding our mission, prayer and discernment for how we will steward your gifts to help even more people in 2022. 

Just last year, we received more than $60,000 in designated gifts to set up our Residency Program, which launched at the end of year, allowing Mentees to move into affordable apartments. We implemented a new inventory system for our Hope Bags, allowing for 385 Hope Bags to be distributed to law enforcement partners, and 117 Christmas stockings distributed across the Front Range. More than 80 volunteers served with us. And 16 Mentors walked with 12 different Mentees throughout the year. And because of your generosity, we were also able to meet one-time needs of additional Survivors.

We are humbled and blown away by your passion, generosity and support for the women, men, girls and boys impacted by human trafficking in our city, state and country. We would love for you to hear from them, so please review our full 2021 Annual Report to read their words. 

In prayers and in Christ, 
Sues Hess
Executive Director

IN THE NEWS AND RESOURCES


RESOURCES FOR TRUCK DRIVERS AND FREQUENT TRAVELERS
Many victims of human trafficking pass through truck stops every day. Organizations like Truckers Against Trafficking aim to equip and prepare truckers to identify potential signs of human trafficking and speak out against them. This nonprofit organization provides comprehensive training that can help empower and mobilize members of the trucking industry to identify signs of trafficking.

LEARN ABOUT THE EARN IT ACT
The National Center on Sexual Exploitation shares details on an act introduced by . With the increase in child sexual abuse material (CSAM, aka child pornography) being distributed and consumed online, the EARN IT Act aims to hold technology companies accountable if they aid and abet the distribution and/or consumption of child sexual abuse material.

LA HUMAN TRAFFICKING SUPER BOWL ARRESTS
Los Angeles law enforcement rescued more than 80 human trafficking and sexual exploitation victims, including children, during a weeklong operation that coincided with the run-up to the Super Bowl in the city. The operation included hundreds of arrests. 

COLORADO SPRINGS HUMAN TRAFFICKING ARREST
A man is facing charges for human trafficking and pimping at a Colorado Springs hotel.

PRAYER REQUESTS 

Thank you for being our prayer warriors! Please join us in praying for the following this month:
  • We have opened new housing options to our Mentees. May this option provide stability and healing to those who live in our apartments.
  • May each Survivor overcome their fear so that they can choose healthy friends and activities. May they learn how to be healthy friends to others.
  • Some Mentees struggle with triggers from their past trauma. May they experience healing and hope. 
  • We’re training new Mentees this month! May the training confirm their calling to minister to survivors.
  • Ask the Lord to bring rest and sleep to Survivors. “Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” –Matthew 11:28
  • Prayer for Ukraine and Afghanistan, and the potential humanitarian crises happening in those regions (with potential to increase risk of human trafficking and harm to women.) 
We now make a daily prayer calendar (by the month) available on our website. You can find it on our Home Page as well as under the tab “What Can I Do?” (because prayer is the best thing we can always do!) 

THANK YOU

In the past few months, we’re grateful for the following groups and organizations that have worked with us! Thank you!

DONATE HERE