I have found a home and a family.
No words can ever describe Freedom House. When you leave the world we come from you feel robbed of all that you are. Because of Freedom House I now know the true meaning of compassion, kindness, friendship, and trust. I have never felt wanted or like I belonged anywhere in this world, but as I write this I can say I have found a home and a family I know I will always have. I have found love from so many amazing women, from staff, volunteers, and my fellow sisters living in this house.
When I arrived at Freedom House my case manager gave me strength in my heart, mind, and soul once again. I owe so much to her and am grateful for the kindness she showed me. Without her I don’t think I could have accomplished what I have.
I am so grateful for all of the staff. They have done so much for me, for no other reason than it is the right and kind thing to do. I will always keep the wonderful memories I have shared with the staff close to my heart. I have kept them all up until the sun rises, talking, laughing, and joking.
Freedom House is a place I thought no longer existed in this world. When I was forced to become a prostitute I saw the ugly my family warned me of, and I believed that the world no longer possessed good. This home that the staff has worked so hard to create is a place for women like me to feel safe and see what beauty God has to give. My only wish for Freedom House is that it expands around the world to help so many more people that are in need of the love that is created in this house.
I have learned how to empower myself, to stand tall and strong for myself.
I have learned so much living here. I have learned how to empower myself, to stand tall and strong for myself. How to live with such vast variety of cultures. How to live with people full of imperfections and encourage my fellow sisters to thrive for strength and happiness.
I came to this house scared, broken down, and discouraged. I leave this house, and the only fear I possess is I will not have the women of Freedom House in my daily interactions. I leave with the fire in my heart to do all that I dream of. I leave a stronger woman then I ever was or ever hoped to be. I will never have a home like this one, and I will always miss my one true home.
God bless Freedom House and all the people that work so hard for us. I wish nothing but blessings for my sisters and my future sisters of Freedom House. I pray that God give his kindness to the Angels he has sent to Freedom House to help us. They are all Angels. I love you all, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Always,
A Fellow Free Butterfly
Today I live in freedom. I want to share with you my journey of coming out of darkness and into the light. This is my story.
Before I came to Freedom House, I was in a very dark place. I was so terrified and uncertain about everything. I had nothing. No direction and no hope. Things were so hard, and I had nowhere to turn to.
I came to Freedom House a year ago. I was alone in this spacious, beautiful house. My first week was so sad. All I could do was watch movies to distract myself. Every night I cried in my room, wondering what would happen to me since I came into the house with nothing. I thought the feelings of fear and hopelessness would never go away.
During the first few weeks, I was introduced to the amazing staff and volunteers at Freedom House. They showed me so much love. One volunteer drove from very far away just to come see me every week. I shared so much with her. She knew all my dreams, and I felt like I could just express myself. The people at Freedom House cared about me and became my friends. They helped me to build my self-esteem and have hope for my future. Because of their love, I felt at home.
It hasn’t been an easy road. I’ve had a lot of anxieties, disappointments and troubles along the way, and hardships often make me feel tired and want to stop trying. But the people at Freedom House have helped me do things that make me believe I can overcome these obstacles. They have supported me in my every step. I have mentors who guide me with wisdom and patience, and teach me the tools I need to reach my goals.
Freedom House helped me find God, to trust and have faith in Him and myself. I know that God brought me to the house for a reason and sent all these loving people around me. He gave me strength and hope, and that makes me want to keep going. There’s no room for giving up at Freedom House. It’s a place for love, trust, hope, belief, and support.
Right now I have a full-time job and am on a waiting list for my own apartment. The time will come when I will leave Freedom House to live independently. I know that I can face the big world because I will bring my treasures with me, the lessons that I have learned while living here.
I hope my story will inspire others. As the people of Freedom House helped me, I learned how to care for others. I remember one night when two new residents were brought to the house. They were so sad and scared, and they couldn’t stop crying. I knew exactly how they felt, so I stayed with them and told them that everything was going to be okay, that things would get better for them just like they had for me.
Thank you, Freedom House, for bringing me back to life, from being helpless to someone who has grown up. You have helped me in so many ways and taught me to be a better person. Thank you for letting me know that far away from home, I now have a family who is with me in my ups and downs and willing to help and understand me. Thank you for inspiring me with your actions and good hearts.
I thank God for Freedom House. I thank all the staff and volunteers who are so very supportive not only to me but to all the residents. And I thank everybody who has helped to support Freedom House in many ways. Thank you for sharing in my story.
When Anna first arrived at Freedom House, she was extremely withdrawn and depressed. With the support of Freedom House staff and volunteers, she embarked on a yearlong journey of recovery and transformation. Since writing this piece, Anna has graduated from the program and still comes back to visit the residents and staff.
I no longer have the anxieties I used to have. So much of my life was consumed with fear, worry and ill health. I was not living. I was barely surviving. In this home I grow stronger each day, and I can now enjoy the simple pleasures in life once again: horse riding, ice skating, family dinner, and birthday celebrations. In this home I have unbelievable experiences with amazing people who care. I now smile and laugh again like I used to. I am putting myself back together one piece at a time, moving forward one step at a time, and loving myself again like I should.
I cherish all the new skills Freedom House has enabled me with. I am particularly grateful to my craft teachers. Making jewelry is one of favorite things to do when I am alone. It gives me peace, relaxes me, and allows me to explore my creativity. So many beads, so many colors and combinations; I’m off in a world that is all mine. It is mine because I now have the freedom to choose it and enjoy it.
I have learned to cherish the little things in life: a smile from a stranger, the thoughtfulness of a friend, a call to say “How are you?” Life means so much more to me than before.
For the first time in 4 years, I am alive again.
In my healing I was taught to always remember one thing:
To love me
To be me
And to mean me
Thank you Freedom House! x
While participating in The Monarch’s aftercare program, “C” enrolled in a vocational training program to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, with Freedom House paying the cost of tuition and fees. Each day, “C” went to school with a big smile on her face as she pursued her educational goals. She beamed with excitement whenever she received an A on a test! After passing her nursing assistant exam, “C” immediately found a job in an elder-care facility. In December, “C” celebrated her 20th birthday at the shelter and determined that she was ready to embark on the next phase of her journey. “C” now is enjoying an independent life.
F, a 20-year-old sex trafficking survivor, was trafficked by two different Romeo Pimps, beginning at age 15. She escaped to a domestic violence shelter, which called Freedom House. While at The Monarch, “F” received mental-health counseling and began to explore her dreams. Her goal was to become the first person in her family to attend college. Focused on massage therapy and kinesiology, “F” regularly was on the Dean’s List while studying human anatomy and physiology. On weekends, this young woman worked at a local hospital to learn more about career possibilities. She earned a Certificate of Achievement in Massage Therapy, and now is fully employed in Northern California.
H, a 29-year-old sex trafficking survivor, was abandoned by her mother underneath a bridge at age 14. As she was homeless, an exploiter took advantage of her plight and convinced her that the only thing she would be good at in life was being a prostitute. “H” eventually found her way to Freedom House after being referred by a domestic violence shelter. As a mother of two young girls, “H” found the mental-health assessment, weekly therapy sessions and parenting classes gave her new coping skills and a better understanding about why she was trafficked. She completed an accelerated culinary school program, with high praise from her teachers. “H” moved to the Midwest with her girls to start a new life far away from the Bay Area, with the hope of fulfilling her dream to open her own restaurant.
K, a 21-year-old sex trafficking survivor, overcame a cocaine addiction, which was used as a controlling method by the trafficker. Although The Monarch is not a substance-abuse program, “K” received individual and group counseling to overcome the problem, When she opened up to staff, “K” shared two dreams: 1) she always wanted her teeth to be straightened, and 2) she wanted to be a professional hair and makeup stylist. She quickly was enrolled in cosmetology school, but it took a bit longer for staff to find a pro-bono orthodontist, as two years were needed to fix her teeth. “K” also had to have some teeth extracted before the braces could be put on. Through perseverance, staff found two wonderful dentists to provide these services at no cost. In many ways, “K” was testing The Monarch staff to see if they really cared about her, because no one ever before had worked alongside her to make her dreams a reality. Since graduating, “K” regularly expresses her gratitude for the transformational support she received, Staff members continue to provide aftercare to “K” through guidance, affordable housing referrals and parenting resources, as she now has a baby girl. “K” has become a licensed cosmetologist (with beautiful teeth), who also has a heart to help others. She has come to the shelter to style hair and offer encouragement to her fellow survivors.
M, a 22-year-old sex trafficking survivor, came to The Monarch via a hospital emergency room after being stabbed in the leg by her captor. Extensive mental-health counseling assisted in her healing from severe trauma and depression. During the therapeutic process, “M” found her voice, and she became angry. She decided to put away her trafficker, so she worked with police to develop the case, then found the courage to stand before him and openly testify in court. Freedom House staffers and shelter volunteers were there in the courtroom with her throughout the trial. The trafficker was sentenced to eight years in jail. She reunited with her family and now is employed in Northern California.
P, a 49-year-old survivor of domestic servitude, was brought to the U.S. by a prominent family in her homeland who told her she would receive good wages and the chance to see the San Francisco Bay Area. Instead, she was forced to live in a leaky garden shed in the backyard, was locked in the house when the family was away, and received no money for her cooking and cleaning services. She found the courage to escape and entered The Monarch. During the lengthy T-Visa process. “P” was unable to work, so she was busy every day taking English-As-A-Second-Language and computer classes, as well as a safe food-handling course to receive her California permit to work in the food industry. Once “P” received her T-Visa, she quickly obtained her Social Security card and found a food service job at the airport two days later! She is thriving and often returns to The Monarch to enjoy Community Dinner with her fellow survivors.
T, a 29-year-old sex trafficking survivor, was being controlled by an organized crime ring. Fortunately, “T” was able to place her five-year-old son with a safe relative at the beginning of her ordeal. After fleeing to an emergency room after being beaten and becoming suicidal, “T” confided in the doctors, who found Freedom House. While at The Monarch, “T” studied business administration at community college and was mentored by a former Monarch program participant. “T” found a full-time job helping to manage a service business with multiple locations.