10 Years Strong
We started with an incredible vision; create a ‘safe-house’ and a restorative program for sex-trafficking victims. At the time there were only a handful of agencies in the US even attempting to provide safety and services for human trafficking survivors. It seemed like a gross oversight of our government, and society, given the criminal nature of sex traffickers and the extreme abuse and trauma suffered by those they were exploiting. We felt compelled to provide what was lacking.
The vision turned into a mission, the mission produced a non-profit agency (Engedi Refuge), and Engedi has been the vehicle by which we have served trafficking victims with safety and restoration, which has been going now … “10 Years Strong”.
The experience of serving desperate and traumatized women has been life-changing from the start. To witness the surprise and gratitude of these victims when we first welcome them into Engedi’s safe-house, when they meet our compassionate and professional staff, and when they are provided clothing, food, medical care, and a dynamic learning experience, alone makes it worth the effort. These women can hardly believe that so many people care so deeply about their life, their pain, and their future. They’ve never experienced someone committed to their health and safety like this before. Engedi is life-changing for each woman that comes through our door.
This experience takes us deep into our resources of compassion and empathy. We get the privilege of helping, counseling and encouraging scores of women who’ve been criminally abused to shocking degrees. We are witnesses to their life, protectors of their dignity, guides to their path of healing, and cheerleaders to their every effort to live and thrive. It is hard and sometimes discouraging, and it is also rewarding and even thrilling at times. We are making a difference, and that carries us through.
10 years along in this journey, we have experienced lots of growth and change. From our facilities to our staff and volunteers, to our curriculums and practices; we have continued to improve our capacities, our knowledge and wisdom, our efficiency and practicality, and our overall effectiveness. What we are today is much more fine-tuned than what we started with; and what we hope to be in the future is even stronger and more effective than what we are today.
Many of you have been part of this journey, lifting us up in so many practical ways. You are the champions with us in this great vision. Some of you may want to know more about Engedi, and even feel inspired to join us in our mission of service. This is a great time to look through our website and find ways to help, and we encourage you to do so.
10 Years has taught us many things; most of all that compassion is powerful and change is possible!