I Am One, For The One. Hang out with us long, and you will hear that. It’s a powerful statement and when you stop to think about it, it’s also empowering.
Refuge for Women is a national organization with six locations throughout the country. Two of those are located in Texas, one in north Texas and the other down by the coast. And together, We Are One organization, For The One woman who needs hope and healing.
A couple of weeks ago, Miranda Corn, the Executive Director of Texas Gulf Coast called as she had just been contacted by local law enforcement about a young lady needing program services. But this wasn’t just any lady, “Sally* was a relative of one of the law enforcement employees. And not just any employee, but an employee that worked in the Human Trafficking division. And not just any division, but this employee’s jurisdiction.
We quickly moved into action. I was able to call Sally and the relative she was with to talk to her about possibly coming to the program. These phone calls can soften the hardest of hearts and allow us to plant seeds of hope. Our goal is to still the fear many victims have committing to a program for an entire year. We often get to pray with women right through the phone, trusting that His peace will show up and provide a glimmer of hope for healing. It’s a holy moment that is hard to put into words. For many, these phone calls come with a lot of chaos and confusion. But when the presence of God shows up and provides hope and peace, I truly believe that is when the seeds get planted and the journey begins with Him.
Sally was spending time with her relative that day. They were going to get new shoes and grab some lunch with the hopes that a place would open up for her. When we first spoke, she was very reluctant to come. She didn’t want to leave her friends and was especially concerned if we celebrated birthdays as she has one coming up. Her fear was so evident through her tears on the phone. When we hung up, my heart broke for her. She did not commit to the program at that point, but Miranda and I continued to pray.
A few hours later, the relative and Sally called back. Upon answering, the relative said, “Sally has something to tell you!” Sally said, “I think I am going to give this a try.”
We had breakthrough. God moved.
As Sally and I talked about next steps, we decided that it was the new shoes! We decided these are the shoes taking her into a new season of life!
So, Sally is here in North Texas. She is conquering her fear and being so brave. She is holding onto hope and taking it one day at a time.
From this experience, doors have opened for Refuge for Women, Texas Gulf Coast as well. Miranda has received multiple calls from the law enforcement agency thanking Refuge for Women for giving “ONE of their own” a new start.
Texas Gulf Coast has been invited to join a new advocacy team made up of law enforcement officers and other advocacy leaders in one of the major trafficking hubs in their county. They have also been asked to train law enforcement officers on ways long term care impacts survivors of human trafficking.
Sally is now ONE woman who has a future filled with hope and the collaboration between two Texas locations within Refuge for Women has flung open a new gate for much more opportunity for impact in our communities!
*name has been changed
