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In early March, our shelter partner
in North Carolina received a new resident, - a 16-year-old girl who was
recently rescued from domestic minor sex trafficking. Due to the brutal infliction
of violence and exploitation, survivors of DMST have to meticulously hone their
survival skills, often making them appear hardened and closed to receiving help.
Though our partner and her staff understand this dynamic, they could not be prepared
for what they were about to experience. During initial placement at the home, the
young girl sporadically flew into fitful rage and destructive behavior. Staff became
increasingly concerned she could continue to cause damage to the property, herself,
and staff members. Her parents and
our partner were desperate to find help for her but were very concerned about the
safety of her and others in the home. In a moment of true courage and
compassion, our partner chose to look past the conflict and destruction to the child's
vulnerabilities and critical need to be loved. In an
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Photo Credit: Greekadman
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outpouring of grace, our partner
and her staff continued to demonstrate their love for this beautiful young person
and this approach started to build a bridge of trust. After much patience and perseverance, she calmed, she warmed to staff, and became more willing to receive
the grace and love waiting for her. Thanks to the dedication and strength of our
partner, this child, once so wrought with rage and hurt is now slowly accepting
the freedom to embark on her journey toward restoration.
We understand the challenges our
partners and other service providers encounter when working to facilitate healing
and restoration for deeply traumatized and exploited survivors.
That is why we not only provide financial support for our partners but practical
support through networking and mentorship. Shared Hope International
offers the Restorative Shelter Working Group to connect service providers around
the country to offer counsel and assistance, share best practices, notify providers
when a bed is open or a new service is available, and encourage each other during
difficult times like these.
The patience, mercy, and compassion
of our partners, supported through services like the Restorative Shelter Working
Group, allow for successful moments like this:
"Last week I was
leaving [the home] and I gave a few of the staff members hugs. As I went to the
door, a resident who has been very closed off to showing any emotion or affection
towards staff said 'where's my hug?' I said 'I thought you did not like hugs' and
she said 'just because I do not like to give them doesn't mean I cannot receive
them.' Of course I gave her a big hug! That made my day. It's moments like that
when I thank God for allowing me to serve these girls and be part of their lives."
- Partner, North Carolina
Your support enables Shared Hope
International to continue to provide this unique but vital component of service
delivery to create lasting change in the lives of our partners and the survivors
they serve.
"By financially partnering with
Shared Hope International, others are making a
huge impact in the lives of victims, not just at [the home], but
all over the world. Shared Hope has provided a significant portion of the [home's]
budget the past two years. This has allowed us to serve victims without
charging anything for our program."
- Partner, North Carolina
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