My conversation with a pimp made me angry. I believe anger is often misunderstood as negative, wrong, destructive, but it doesn’t have to be. Anger can prompt us to take action, and, in this case, it ought to. I have the privilege of working with team members, community partners, and donors who share our passion … this is the best part of what I get to do and motivates me to keep going. It is incredible to witness individual sacrificial acts to help children and families they will never meet or have the opportunity to talk to. 

 

In 2017, we opened the doors of the Kern County Daughter Project Girls Home, a short-term residential therapeutic program for young survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. While we have similar programs in other parts of the world, California represents unique challenges with respect to facilitating healing and preparing for life post victimhood. 

One afternoon, I found myself making a cup of coffee in the kitchen. A young girl who was just coming into our care came in and asked for a snack. I offered her a few choices then got to work while she hopped onto the counter just next to me. Although we offer specialty mental health services and our qualified and licensed staff receive extensive training, I have found that taking time over food, riding in the car, or other ‘everyday’ activities are opportune moments to connect. 

 

As we stood there chatting, our young client asked me if I wanted to speak to her exploiter. That is a question I never thought I would be asked. Before I could answer, she had him on speakerphone. I will never forget the tone of his voice. It was almost cavalier and light-hearted. He addressed me by name, I was speechless. I tried to focus on the snack I was preparing, but I felt ‘frozen’ and nervous. Those feelings quickly changed to feeling violated … then angry. The way in which he spoke to this young girl, and to me, was sickening. He intonated that he had authority over the situation, that he was in control. 

 

Thankfully, the conversation ended shortly thereafter. I was able to spend time chatting with her before I left for the day. In different circumstances, she was an ordinary teenage girl. I didn’t reflect upon the conversation until later. I woke up early the next day going over every word as I sipped my coffee, I could not remove his voice from my ‘head’. I felt sad that any human being could treat a child in that way. How did we get to a place in which a grown man could buy a child … sell a child … and joke about it? 

 

This child, the one ‘this voice’ seemingly had control over, was in our care. She did not have the luxury of growing up in a healthy and protective environment. It is our job to ensure she and all the children we serve have every opportunity to thrive… to move beyond victimhood and fulfill their potential. 

 

Several months later, it was time for her to transition to a family level of care. Success! Helping a child feel safe, gain trust, heal, and begin to realize their potential is the outcome we strive for. The voice on the other end of the phone call had seemingly been silenced. 

 

Global Family & the Daughter Project was established out of a core belief that every child deserves a family. For children and families living in vulnerable circumstances, we must prioritize preventative efforts, provide intervention, and facilitate restoration. While we are active in, now, 10 countries, our core belief remains constant. Every child deserves equal love, provision, and opportunity, this is our primary consideration in every decision we make. 

 

We could not aim to do so without the engagement of community partners; our team works closely with agency partners, law enforcement, volunteers, and donors who give sacrificially to support children who are just as precious to God as our own. That is what Global Family & the Daughter Project is all about! 

 

Everyone can be involved in this effort. Please find information on our website,

GlobalFamily.care/best-of-bakersfield, about our upcoming gala on April 18th at the

Wonderful Aviation hangar, give to support our mission, and email

info@myglobalfamily.org to learn more or volunteer. 

 

We’d love you to become part of our ‘family’ today!