Some Hopeful People

I got the great privilege of working with Liz Alston and asked I asked her how she got involved with reaching out to victims of sex trafficking.  She shared how she learned about sex trafficking over just about four years ago, from there she was determined to make a difference.  She moved to Portland for this reason and then looked for a church and partners to join her in this fight for young women’s freedom.  She found a new local church that was starting up in Southeast Portland named Hope City, which recognized that with their close proximity to 82^nd this meant they were going to make sex trafficking their concern as well.  

I am inspired by Hope City’s lead Pastor Brian Becker’s response to this need:  “We didn’t know what we were going to do, but we had to do something, we couldn’t do nothing.”  Liz and others began hitting the street Friday nights and getting to know girls as well as local law enforcement.  What they learned was that the Police and girls needed a place to go, talk with someone and get immediate needs met.  Thus the birth of Hope82.  This is the first ever drop in shelter for women caught up in sex trafficking.  They have toiletries, medical supplies, computers, food, and most importantly a place of rest where they will not be judged and in fact they will be loved and cared for no strings attached.  They are the first step, to offer an alternative, a way out, essentially hope.  

How can you get involved??  Know that every woman and child caught in the traps of sex trafficking has a story, they are a victim and need our help.  Learn more and share the truth with others.  Get trained and volunteer, invite representative of these groups to share with your church or local group.  Give of time, resources, gift cards, follow them on face book, come to fundraiser events, and most importantly pray! 

It is not easy to break these bonds, life change does not come with out effort and cost but it is possible, and most certainly these girls are worth it!!