Navigating Towards My Destiney

The past four years have completely changed my life. If you knew me back then don’t for a second think that you know me now. I have gone from someone who spent a lifetime of being controlled completely by my family of abusers and traffickers, continually being used for their torture and sexual fantasies, never truly being noticed by anyone other than buyers, constantly living a nightmare most would never be able to wrap their mind around. Never knowing there was a different way to live, a way where I could be loved and valued for something other than my body.

All it took was taking a huge leap out of my comfort zone and having one person look at me and ask the right questions about what was really going on. One person believing what I was saying was true and not run away or look at me with disgust and disapproval. One person saying you are worth so much more than what they make you do. One person telling me, “I see you and you have so much to give this world.”

I am not saying it has been easy by any means. It has been one of the toughest battles I have yet to face. I have done and made some of the most challenging decisions to prove to others and maybe a little bit to myself that I can build a future where my children will not think this destructive and manipulative behavior is acceptable. Where I am not what those who want to destroy me say I am but one who now has the opportunity to help change the lives of others and educate communities about what is going on in their neighborhoods.

I have an amazing job that I love where I juggle many different roles. I get to be an advocate, work with youth and adults one on one as well as facilitating groups. I am honored to be on the front lines as one of the first voices/faces survivors experience when they take that bold step and come through our doors looking for services. In our freedom center I oversee day to day activities, managing appointments, making sure we have staff coverage, and keeping track of all things data related including- client tracking, monthly stat reports, volunteer and training hours, event/group attendance that is required for our monthly/quarterly reports as well as up to date stats, manage updates to both our website and monthly newsletter. I am part of our golf tournament committee where I keep track of sponsorships, registration, raffle and help with making it a day that everyone enjoys.

This past year I have had the privilege to go into one of our local high schools to present to the youth about what they might see and face in their everyday situations, as well as make slide decks and other presentations to train our community. I have had the privilege to work with our local law enforcement as well as meet some of our legislators. The past few months I have been working with a team to help write, be the lived experienced expert and a voice in our new online academy, where others will be able to get a better understanding of how to be trauma informed when helping survivors and equip them with knowledge about looking beyond what you see on the surface.

I have been given so many opportunities to expand my knowledge in areas that I never thought of before.  I am blessed to work with an amazing team who is accepting and understanding. While I still have my daily struggles, I love coming to work and focusing on what I can do to make this journey meaningful and encourage other survivors that they are seen, valued, loved and believed.